Fishermen have arrived in Spring Valley

The Illinois River is dropping and the water is starting to clear- good conditions for the teams competing in the annual Masters Walleye Circuit tournament in Spring Valley. The competition begins Saturday but many fishermen have already arrived.
Bill Guerrini is the Executive Director of the Spring Valley Walleye Club and one of the people involved with the tournament that returns for its 28th year.
While it is exciting for the anglers, it’s also a spectator sport.  People like to watch the weigh-in.  Bleachers will be set up at Barto Landing and food will be on sale.  You’re encouraged to park at Hall High School and take one of the three shuttle vans to Barto Landing.
For the first time in its history, the teams will be allowed to go as far on the river as they like. Guerrini says before teams were told to stay between the Starved Rock dam and Henry.
Learn more about the tournament by listening to an interview that’s available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Train derails, climbs escalator at Chicago airport

CHICAGO (AP) – Authorities say they’re looking into whether faulty brakes, signals or human error may have caused a Chicago public-transit train to jump the tracks and scale an escalator at O’Hare International Airport.
National Transportation Safety Board investigator Tim DePaepe said at a news conference Monday that officials will interview the train’s operator and look at her routine over the last few days. She is still in the hospital.
The early-morning accident on the Blue Line injured 32 people. None had life-threatening injuries.
DePaepe also says there is video footage available from a camera in the station and one mounted on the front of the train.
The derailment happened just before 3 a.m., which helped prevent more injuries in an underground station that’s usually packed with travelers.

United Way Inching Closer To Fundraising Goal

If you have a hard time choosing just one non-profit group to help, how about donating to the United Way which helps out several non-profits.

Julie Sloan is executive director for the United Way of the Illinois Valley.  She says they’ve reached 93% of their annual campaign goal of $355,000.

The United Way of the Illinois Way donates to over a dozen groups including Horizon House, Illinois Valley Food Pantry, Red Cross and Boy and Girl Scouts.

To help the United Way reach their goal by donating, visit their website.