Major Road Closure Planned In Ottawa

One of the biggest gripes about driving in Ottawa is getting stuck waiting for trains.  Starting July 15^th, there could be a lot of unhappy drivers.

Illinois Railway workers will rebuild their crossing on Route 23 and Fremont Street in Ottawa.  The project will last a week and will close Route 23 to traffic near Jefferson School just north of Route 6.

The official detour will take northbound traffic to Route 6 then to Route 71 and onto Interstate 80.  The southbound detour will take traffic onto Interstate 80 to Route 71 onto Route 6 and then back onto Route 23.

A more popular option for local drivers would be to use Champlain Street and Etna Road to bypass the road closure.

 

Firefighters and other first responders honored for house fire rescue

          One month after fire trapped a mother and her two teenage children on the second story of their La Salle home, the firefighters and police officers who saved them were being honored.The mix of La Salle firefighters, EMT’s and police officers received plaques in front of the city council Tuesday night.  Fire Chief Andy Bacidore explained how police dispatcher Brad Washkowiak guided Amanda Milton and her children over the phone while the flames grew closer to their room. 

Bacidore also thanked the police officers who arrived at the fire and the firefighters who steadied the ladder and carried the family to safety.  The mother and teens were treated for smoke inhalation.

Quinn changes concealed-carry bill

          Governor Pat Quinn Tuesday took amendatory veto action on legislation that will allow you to have a concealed gun in public.  The governor wants to change the rules for allowing concealed guns in places that serve alcohol, businesses and at work. 

          Lawmakers approved the bill in May.

          Quinn says it’s his duty as governor is to keep the people of Illinois safe.  And says there are too many provisions that are inspired by the National Rifle Association, not the common good.

          The state has until July 9 to have a conceal-carry law on the books.

Four Hospitalized After Boat Crash In Utica

A morning on the Illinois River turned into a trip to the hospital for four men fishing near Starved Rock State Park.  The man controlling the fishing boat apparently lost control and hit the north shore and a group of trees just before 8:30am Tuesday according to Conservation Police Sgt. Hank Frazier.

The men, all from Chicago, were boating near the Route 178 bridge when it happened.  Local river rescue crews and paramedics went out to the river to help them.  The men were taken to the Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

One man, Eddie Lee Gardner was taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria where he was listed in serious condition Tuesday afternoon.  The others were treated and released from IVCH.

The man operating the boat, 81 year old Albert Alexander, hasn’t been ticketed but Frazier says the crash is still being investigated.

July Brings Local Church Mergers

In what’s become a sign of the times, catholic churches in another area town have merged.

As of Monday, Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony’s and Sts. Peter and Paul churches merged into a new Parish called Nativity of Our Lord in Spring Valley.  The Diocese of Peoria says the merger comes after two years of planning.

Father Robert Spilman will be founding pastor of the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lord.  He’s been pastor at St. Anthony’s since 2004.

The diocese says none of the existing catholic churches in Spring Valley will close, but there will be a primary location for worship at St. Anthony’s Church.

St. Mary’s in Naplate also merged yesterday with St. Francis of Ottawa.