Deadline Extended Again For Flood Damage Help

If your home or business was damaged by the April flood and you still haven’t applied for assistance, you’ve been given more time.

The state asked for and received a 15-day extension to register for federal grants and loans.  So the new flood assistance application deadline is August 8^th.

Bureau, La Salle and Putnam Counties have been declared disaster areas so people affected by the flood in the listening area can apply for federal grants or loans.

To apply for flood assistance, go to  http://www.fema.gov/ or http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Kinzinger Reacts To President’s Speech

Count your congressman as one person who didn’t come away impressed with President Barack Obama’s visit to Galesburg.

Republican Adam Kinzinger says he’s happy the president turned his attention to the economy during Wednesday’s stop but says he brought no new ideas to the table.  Kinzinger says with a 9.2 percent unemployment rate, the president is pushing the same policies that have failed Illinois taxpayers.

During Wednesday’s speech, President Obama said some of his goals are to increase investments in infrastructure, universal preschool and affordable college.  He also wants to increase the federal minimum wage.

Kinzinger says while Obama is talking, the House is passing numerous jobs bills and a permanent solution to fix student loan costs.

Rough Quarter For Caterpillar

PEORIA (AP) – A gloomy outlook from Caterpillar, the world’s largest construction equipment company, helped to send stock indexes mostly lower in midday trading.

Caterpillar announced today that its earnings fell 43 percent in the second quarter as China’s economy slowed and commodity prices sank. Second-quarter sales and revenues for Caterpillar were $14.6 billion, down from $17.3 billion in the second quarter of 2012.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Oberhelman said he expected profits to improve in the second half of the year.

Serious Accident Near Tiskilwa

A life flight helicopter was called to crash scene near Tiskilwa.

A 911 call came in around 9:45 this morning about a car that hit a tree on the Tiskilwa blacktop, about a mile west of Route 26.  The dispatcher immediately reported the driver was trapped inside the car.

Firefighters set up a landing zone for the copter just east of Interstate 180.  More details as they become available.

Engines Rev Up In De Pue

The loud buzz of power boats by day and the swinging sounds of a big band by night- that’s what you’ll hear at Lake De Pue.

Racers from all of the U.S. will be testing their boats on the water Wednesday, two days before the championship races begin on Lake De Pue.

You don’t have to be a racer to have something to do though.  Food stands and a beer garden will be open today and De Pue native, Al Pierson returns with Guy Lombardo’s Royal Canadians.  Their performance begins at six.  Afterwards the band “Last Call” will play a mix of country and rock.

Thursday night is kid’s night complete with karaoke and prizes. Races begin Friday and continue thru Sunday.  There’s also a carnival.

Latest Condition On L-P Teacher Who Was Hit By A Train

Good news in the case of Matthew Makeever, the 25-year old math teacher from LP who was hit by a train on Saturday.

In a Facebook post, L-P officials say Makeever is becoming more active, although he’s still hospitalized and has a long road of recovery ahead of him.  He’s still not fully awake as his brain continues to heal, but he has safely passed the critical 72-hour mark for brain injuries.

The Makeever family greatly appreciates all the support they have received.  If you would like to join the L-P family in wishing Makeever well, you can send E-Cards through the St. Francis Medical Center website.

To see updates from the Makeever family, go to www.caringbridge.com, create an account and search Makeever.