Ottawa woman critically injured

Alcohol a factor in an ATV crash last night (Saturday) outside Ottawa that critically injured a 21-year old woman. Sgt. Hank Frazier of the District Conservation police said the Ottawa woman is in St. Francis Medical Center, but is not releasing her name. Frazier said the accident happened about 10:15pm on the I & M Canal towpath, a half mile west of Boyce Memorial Drive. A 46 –year old man was also on board, but his name hasn’t been released either. Charges are likely once police determine who was driving and why the ATV struck a metal trail marker. The condition of the man isn’t known.

Phone company’s phony bills

Attorney General Lisa Madigan says a phone company billed Illinois residents for long-distance service they never authorized.
 
     Madigan filed a lawsuit against Optic Internet Protocol on Friday.
 
     She says the Delaware-based company targeted Spanish-speaking customers.
 
     Seventeen consumers filed complaints with Madigan’s office. She says they first learned of the unauthorized charges when they got their bills and noticed a new long-distance carrier that in some cases was more expensive.
 
     Madigan says it’s critical for consumers to review their bills carefully because scammers are betting that their targets won’t do so.
 
     The lawsuit seeks restitution for consumers. Madigan also wants to ban the company from operating in Illinois.
 
     No one could be reached Saturday at a phone listing for the company.

Arctic bound professor

 An Illinois State University professor is heading to the Arctic to draw inspiration for an environmentally conscious, large-scale art installation. Claire Lieberman is an associate professor in the university’s School of Art. She is among a select group of artists and scientists scheduled to sail to the territory 10 degrees from the North Pole on a fully rigged tall ship this fall.

City of Oglesby and IVCC

Considering Illinois Valley Community College has an Oglesby address, it makes sense to work with the Oglesby City Council.

The college board and city council are working towards two partnerships. When the Oglesby City Council meets Tuesday night, they’ll vote on intergovernmental agreements to let IVCC use Gandolfi Field for next year’s baseball season along with providing the college police protection.

Both agreements will just be put on file Tuesday night, not officially passed.

Toluca Labor Day Fest

IF you have the weekend off, maybe you can labor doing some fun things? Toluca’s Labor Day Celebration boats of the State’s largest Bocce Ball Tourney for men and women starting late morning. A pancake and sausage breakfast is served now until Noon. A Beer garden opens at 1 and the Wilson Family Carnival at 5.