Inmates help remove storm debris

Illinois state prison inmates are among those who have been taking part in recovery efforts after last month’s deadly tornadoes. The Illinois Department of Corrections says department staff and inmates have helped with debris removal. The two dozen tornadoes that swept across Illinois on November 17th damaged or destroyed more than 2,400 homes and killed seven people. The crews will head next to the city of Diamond on Tuesday.
 

Lawmaker wants to ban “Google” glass

Google’s new computerized glasses haven’t even gone on sale yet, but an Illinois lawmaker wants to make it illegal for people to use the devices while driving. State Senator Ira Silverstein has filed legislation to try to keep the technology known as Google Glass from taking drivers’ attention off the road. The Chicago Democrat tells the Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers that Google glass is “just another way people will be distracted.”

First snowfall arrives today

Dry pavement may not be seen for a while as the National Weather Service says our first snow of winter is due today. By tonite, most of the area will have likely less than two inches of snow on the ground.  Freezing rain may fall over Ottawa this evening and points to the east.  Snow is likely after 9am this morning and larger amounts as you travel north.

fire forces residents into the cold

The wee hours are supposedly quiet hours, but not so in a LaSalle apartment this morning. Captain Dean Tieman is with the LaSalle Fire Departmetn. He said a fire forced the occupants into the cold at 1104 First Street around 2:40am. La Salle and Peru firemen arrived and found the kitchen and front room in flames. Twenty men had the fire out in two hours – they thought – only to be called back after 5am for some flames in a wall.  No one was hurt, and though it’s not suspicious, Tieman says the cause is undetermined. The damage estimate is 30-thousand dollars. The burned out apartment is on the west side of a building housing “Club 55”. Their operations will not be affected.