Investigation continues into explosion

An explosion at a company south of Tonica could be felt across the town but what caused it remains unclear.  Tonica Fire Chief Todd Anderson and someone from the State Fire Marshall’s office were back at Dauber Company Wednesday  morning but couldn’t find a cause for the explosion that shook the area Tuesday evening.

One employee was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital as a precaution.  No one was injured.  The explosion damaged a propane gas line.  Firefighters from Tonica and Lostant were at the business for a couple of hours last night.

An explosion at the plant in August seriously injured two employees.  Anderson says the explosion was similar but not completely.  He says they’ll continue their investigation Thursday morning.

Potassium iodide being made available for people near nuclear plants

If you live near the La Salle Nuclear Station expect to receive an early Christmas present from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.  Vouchers for potassium iodide pills are being mailed out to homes within 10 miles of nuclear plants.

Potassium iodide or K-I, is a non-prescription drug that you take to protect your thyroid from radioactive iodine, which could be released during a nuclear power plant accident.

The state received 215,000 free pills from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.  You should receive the vouchers in the mail by mid-December.  You’ll be able to redeem it at Walgreens.

More than a dozen people arrested after police bust drinking party

The party was in Ottawa Friday night, at least for people who weren’t old enough to get into the bars.  State Police Troopers arrested 16 people for underage drinking early Saturday morning after going to a party on La Salle Street.

The youngest person arrested was a 16 year old girl.  The rest were obviously younger than 21 and from Ottawa, Oglesby, Peru, and Marseilles.

Oswego Man Denied New Murder Trial

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) – A judge has denied an Oswego man’s request for a new trial after he was convicted of fatally shooting his wife and three children in 2007.

Prosecutors say Christopher Vaughn killed his family so he could start a new life in the Canadian wilderness. Vaughn faces a mandatory life sentence.

His trial overlapped with the trial of Drew Peterson. Vaughn’s attorney, George Lenard, argued that his client didn’t get a fair trial partly because the news conferences held by Peterson’s lawyers at the court damaged his own credibility as a defense attorney.

Will County Judge Daniel Rozak said today there is no evidence that jurors were even aware of the other attorneys’ news conferences.

Christmas Light Display To Benefit Hospitalized Child

There aren’t many worse things than a young child battling for their life.

People behind the popular Weber Christmas light display are dedicating this Friday night’s show to seven-year old Katie Becker.  They’re calling it “Friday Night Lights for Angels”.  Any donations given by people watching the light display Friday night will go to the family of Becker.

Katie is hospitalized with a brain injury and has been in a coma for over a month.  Becker is a 2^nd grader at Waltham Elementary School.

The Weber Christmas Show is in the Senica subdivision across from Senica’s Oak Ridge golf course on Route 6.

Marseilles Teachers Picket For New Contract

There’s some labor unrest at one local elementary school.

Teachers at Marseilles Elementary School held an informational picket last night before a negotiations meeting.  Teachers haven’t filed a strike notice.

Marseilles Elementary teachers have been working without a new contract since June.

Crundwell Furniture Up For Bid

DIXON, Ill. (AP) – The U.S. Marshals Service will hold an online auction to sell furniture and other property once owned by Rita Crundwell.

The online auction for Crundwell’s former possessions will be Dec. 6-8 at professionalauction.com. Crundwell pleaded guilty earlier this month to stealing $53 million from the city of Dixon, where she was comptroller until earlier this year.

U.S. Marshals say a computer lab will be available for people in Dixon who want to participate.

State Cracks Down On Handicap Parking Rule Breakers

CHICAGO (AP) – Police issued 60 tickets in the first weekend of a crackdown on people who park illegally in disability spaces – and they’re not done yet.

Secretary of State Jesse White says the enforcement effort will continue throughout the holiday season at shopping malls statewide. White said the goal of the crackdown is to ensure disability spaces are available for people who need them.

Anyone caught illegally using a placard or disability license plates could be fined up to $500.

This is the seventh year of the holiday parking enforcement program. Last year, Secretary of State police issued 187 tickets.