Waltham Elementary classroom evacuated after smoke rolls in

Classes go on at Waltham North Elementary School after smoke in a classroom.

An automated call from the school came out around 9:30am Friday saying firefighters think smoke in a classroom came from a burned out transformer. Classes are going on as scheduled at the school with the only change being students in Mrs. Mitchell’s room going to a different room.

Also this morning, field fires were reported near Waltham Presbyterian Church and near the Bureau-Lee County line.

Large sculpture planned outside new IVCC technology center

There’s a sculpture planned at Illinois Valley Community College and it won’t be of a past school president or big-time donor.

Chicago-artist John Adduci will build a 14-foot tall stainless steel sculpture in front of the Peter Miller Community Technology Center this summer. The sculpture will resemble a universal on/off switch that can function as a sundial.

When getting state funding for the technology center, part of the money had to be spent on art. The school has over $100,000 budgeted for the sculpture and other artwork.

Adduci was picked among nearly 40 artists to do the sculpture. He has work on display in Chicago, Milwaukee and Manitoba, Canada.

Heat and storms in the Illinois Valley’s forecast

If you’ve been waiting for really warm weather, its almost here.

Saturday’s high temperature in the Illinois Valley is expected to be in the upper 70s, maybe even hitting 80 in some spots. Just two days later however the high temperature on Monday is only supposed to be in the mid-40s.

Area rivers could be back on the rise this weekend with a good chance of thunderstorms Saturday night thru Sunday night.