Pretty but dangerous lanterns banned

CHICAGO (AP) – What goes up must come down – and if it’s a floating lantern, it poses a serious danger.

That’s why the Illinois fire marshal’s office has issued an official notice banning sky lanterns in the state. The pretty but hazardous devices are also sometimes called aerial luminaries.

The notice follows a May 14 vote by the marshal’s Consumer Fireworks Review Committee that put sky lanterns on the list of prohibited fireworks.

State Fire Marshal Larry Matkaitis says sky lanterns launched during celebrations “can turn into tragedy.”

Officials say the lanterns can travel long distances, starting forest or house fires when they finally drift down to earth. Aviation authorities have also expressed concerns the devices can distract or disorient pilots.

Illinois joins many other states with similar bans.

Man accused of domestic battery in Oglesby

A fight between brothers in Oglesby left a man arrested for domestic battery.  Police were called to an apartment on Walnut Street early Saturday morning.  Marcus Adams was arrested for domestic battery after he allegedly punched his brother in the head twice.  He was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

          Meanwhile, Hugo Adams Perez was ticketed for underage drinking.  He was given a notice to appear.

Quinn says he’ll call leaders together on pensions

     SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Governor Pat Quinn says he will call legislative leaders together in the next week to come up with a fix for the state’s $97 billion pension crisis.

      Quinn issued a statement Friday, shortly after the Illinois House adjourned without a pension reform deal and a Senate spokeswoman said that chamber wouldn’t take any more pension votes.

      The Chicago Democrat says the people of Illinois want the Legislature to put an agreement on his desk. He says they don’t want lawmakers to “play a $17 million-a-day game with the future of our state, our children and our economy.”

      Illinois has the nation’s worst state pension shortfall. The governor’s office says the unfunded pension liability grows by $17 million per day, squeezing out funding for education and other areas of the budget.

Local baseball and softball update 4:20pm

A four run 6th inning by Waterlook Gibault gave them the runs they needed to defeate Putnam County for the Ilinois  Boys Baseball Class 1 A Title in Peoria this afternoon.  Final score was 6 – 2.  One of the Gibault runs was scored as the runner evaded a tag.  Putnam County scored one run in the second and sixth innings.  The Panthers and head coach, Dave Garcia will be treated to a rally at the school.  Last update indicated the rally would start  between 5 and 5:30.  Waterloo Gibault is located near St. Louis.  

The St. Bede Lady Bruins play Nashville today in the Class 2A 3^rd Place game in East Peoria.  Coverage on AM 1220 WLPO has been delayed.  IHSA is trying to finish the game preceding St. Bede’s.  Lightning and rain has caused a delay.  The St. Bede/Nashville game may not start till after 5:30pm.   Bear in mind…the IHSA has the option to cancel the game if the weather continues to interfere.   If broadcast,  it will be streamed at am1220wlpo.com

The LP Lady Cavaliers saw their season end in the Class 3A Sectional title game at  Coal City.  Tinley Park defeated LP  7 – 2.