Hog Farm questions and answers heard in Wenona

Family farm or factory – it does not matter what you want to call a breed to ween hog farm proposed for rural Wenona. What matters is if it meets the eight criteria in the Livestock Management Facilities Act.

Veterinarian Nicolas Rippel and his engineer spoke on behalf of Sandy Creek Lane, LLC Thursday night at a hearing by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.  They tried to explain why and how the farm with 5600 pigs would meet the rules for odor control, waste management, and zoning.

A member of the audience, Leslie Smith asked if the hog farm would create a health threat to other hogs.

Rippel said it would not.

Lostant Mayor Fred Hartenbower wanted to know if there were plans to expand the farm.

Rippel said no.

The meeting minutes will be considered by the IDOA before they make a decision.  The Marshall County Board has 30 days to give a non-binding recommendation.

Block from the Pentagon to be displayed in Marseilles

You will soon be able to see and touch a piece of American history that is finding a new home in Marseilles. A limestone block from the Pentagon that was damaged on September 11^th, 2001 is being added to the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial along the Illinois River in Marseilles.

Greg Hoffman is with the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run, the group that runs the memorial wall.  He says the Department of Defense approved their request for the artifact. The piece, which weighs between 200 and 300 pounds, is escorted into town Saturday morning.

It will be stored at the National Guard Armory until it is unveiled during the annual Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run June 21.
Learn more by listening to an interview with Hoffman available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Driver in Spring Valley hit and run accident described as having bad teeth

Normally if your car has front-end damage it’s because you hit something but not for a woman in Spring Valley. Kathy Slover told the police Wednesday that a car in front of her at an intersection backed into her.

Slover says they both got out of their cars and he said he would be right back and never returned.

Police didn’t describe the man’s car but say Slover described him as white with red hair, bad teeth and a baseball cap.

Mass offered for La Salle girl

Thousands of prayers have been said for Lily Rosploch, a young La Salle girl who has spent much of her short life being treated for cancer. A mass was offered 7:30pm Thursday at St. Bede Abby.

Rosploch was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in June of 2012 and was considered cancer free last November. She is again undergoing therapy.

Transformation of a former grain elevator is underway

Renovations are underway inside the former Utica Elevator building in Utica. The elevator is the property of the La Salle County Historical Society.

Historical society president Steve Aubry says the former elevator offices could be displaying artifacts by this fall, though the basement is prone to flooding.  The work is costing $350,000.

The building will hold an elevator, two staircases, a front porch and be handicapped accessible. Aubry believes the project may be done in time for this fall’s Burgoo.

Congressman to visit Marseilles Lock and Dam

Millions of dollars in repairs are planned for the Marseilles Lock and Dam.  Congressman Adam Kinzinger visits Marseilles Thursday morning to talk about the $35 million from the U. S. Army Corp of Engineers to complete repairs. The lock and dam were damaged by runaway barges during flooding last April.

Kinzinger is meeting at City Hall at 10:15am to review the project with Rock Island Army Corp Commander Mark Deschenes, Marseilles mayor Patty Smith and members of Team Rubicon.