House Fire In Ottawa

No one was hurt in a fire on the northeast side of Ottawa.

Fire crews were called to a house fire just after four o’clock Sunday afternoon on Pratt Lane north of Route 6.  People were home when the fire broke out but everyone is okay.

The home is owned by Oliver Bridges.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fog Rolls In Across The Valley

Make sure to turn your headlights on.  It could help you avoid a crash.

A Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 8 Monday morning for the entire listening area.  Visibility in many spots is a quarter mile or less.

After the fog, the big weather story Monday will be high temperatures climbing towards 70.

election to Jackson’s seat

The special election to replace former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. will be held April 9. Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Sunday to approve the date. Jackson resigned last month citing his health and acknowledging he’s under federal investigation. Quinn had 115-day window to set an election. But he wanted the Jackson contest to coincide with municipal elections already planned for April 9 so he had to seek lawmaker approval to change the timeline. Lawmakers approved legislation for the date change. Quinn says the move saves taxpayer money. The primary for the special election is Feb 26. Jackson’s vacancy means there’s a rare opening in the Democratic-leaning Chicago area district that Jackson had held since 1995. A number of candidates have declared intentions to run including former Democratic Rep. Debbie Halvorson.

Flu Vaccine week

Through Saturday, county health departments are observing National Influenza Vaccination Week. With “Flu” activity increasing and holiday gatherings increasing….LaSalle County Health Department thinks NOW is a great time to geta flu vaccine. “Flu” activity usually peaks in February and can last as long as May. Check with your doctor’s office or area drug store on the availability of the “Flu” vaccine.

Peru 38th Street accident update

No injuries to an infant or adults after a three car crash on Northbound Route 251, just south of 38th street Saturday. Laurie Shipp of Walnut told Peru police she didn’t remember what she was doing at the time, but when she looked up her car rearended one driven by Gary Donovan of Rockford, The impact forced Donovan’s car into the rear of the car driven by Kyle Thompson of Cherry. Shipp was ticketed. A man and woman from Mendota, each in their 70’s were treated for injuries at IVCH and released. So were four others including a twelve year old boy in Shipp’s car and an almost two month old baby boy in the Thompson car. Route 251 was closed entirely from 36th to 38th street for about 30 minutes after 3pm Saturday afternoon.

Nelson and IVSO in Princeton

It’s a homecoming – of sorts – for a talented soprano who performs in Chicago and the Midwest. Susan Nelson will join the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra for holiday music at the Princeton High School at 4pm this Saturday. Nelson has appeared in main stage roles with the Lyric Opera of Chicago will perform music from Bach’s Christmas Cantata. Princeton Mayor, Keith Cain will narrate “Twas the Night before Christmas”. Tickets for adults are $12 and students $5. Directed by Lucia (loo see uh) Matos, the Saturday show is one of a series performed in our area from Fall thru Spring. The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra is in its 63rd season. Matos is in her third year of directing the group.

benefits of a flu shot

State health officials are urging Illinois residents to get flu shots. Doing so, they say, doesn’t just benefit the person getting vaccinated; it also protects others by limiting the spread of the flu. The Illinois Department of Public Health is making that announcement this weekend at the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week.

DOC cover up?

A leading state senator wants the inspector general to look into Illinois Department of Corrections procedures after the son of the agency’s top investigator was arrested for drunken driving. Republican State Senator Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale questions why DOC investigations and intelligence chief Larry Beck did not recuse himself after his son Jeffrey crashed a pickup into a home in Buffalo, east of Springfield, on February 27th. Jeffrey Beck, a prison guard, has pleaded not guilty to drunken driving.

Chicago violence

Shootings and other violence have killed six people and wounded 10 in Chicago overnight into Saturday morning. Authorities say five of the victims were shot to death and another was fatally stabbed. Neighbors told the Chicago-Sun Times that one man who was killed had been sitting on a couch inside a home and was struck by bullets that passed through a window. Among those wounded by gunfire were a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.

three car collision in Peru

A three car collision on northbound Route 251, south of 38th Street Saturday afternoon sent several people to IVCH. Laurie Shipp of Walnut told Peru police that while she was driving….her attention was diverted. When she looked up, she rearended the car of Gary Donovan of Rockford. His car in turn struck the rear of the car of Kyle Thompson of Cherry. Several people in the Donovan car and a two month old infant in the Thompson car went to IVCH. Shipp was ticketed.