West Nile Virus found in La Salle

You probably don’t want to wear pants and long sleeves this weekend though they would help protect you from West Nile Virus.  The virus that is spread by infected mosquitoes was detected in a mosquito this week in La Salle. Ted Pumo, Director of Environmental Health says this is the time of year for increased West Nile virus activity.

He says it’s important to protect yourself especially when you’re out at night. He suggests you wear insect repellent and get rid of any stagnant water in your yard.

Fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches are common signs of West Nile, though you may not experience any symptoms. West Nile can also lead to meningitis or encephalitis. You’re more at risk for illness if you’re 50 or older.

Patching project begins on I-39

Drive Interstate 39 through La Salle County and you’ll feel more than a few bumps but improvements are underway.  A pavement-patching project spanning from Marshall to Lee County began Thursday. Herb Jung with the Illinois Department of Transportation says it should be completed in two weeks. It’s costing $408,000.

Soon you’ll also see workers cleaning and painting a small bridge that carries I-39 over Illinois Cement property just south of Route 6 in La Salle. It’s costing nearly $81,000. Jung says the work will start after Labor Day and take about 30 days to complete.

The projects are part of the Illinois Jobs Now! program.

IVCC names an interim athletic director

A softball coach and instructor will oversee sports at Illinois Valley Community College at least for the time being.

Cory Tomasson is the new interim athletic director. College officials made the announcement Friday. Tomasson has been at IVCC since 1994. He replaces Tommy Canale who left the position this summer.

Accident on Rt 251 sends five to the hospital

Roadwork started Wednesday on Route 251 in Peru and already there have been two accidents near the construction zone. Two women and three children were taken to a nearby hospital Thursday afternoon.  Police say Marjorie Rhodes of La Salle was heading north into Peru when she rear-ended a Jeep driven by Sarah Preuser of Magnolia. Preuser’s Jeep bumped the pickup truck a head of it.

Rhodes, Preuser and three children were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital. Rhodes was ticketed.

Earlier in the day police handled a similar accident but nobody was hurt.

Heavy rain amounts across the Illinois Valley

After missing out on most of the rain earlier in the week, the Illinois Valley was hit with a deluge.

According to the National Weather Service, 4.75 inches of rain has fallen in Sublette since Thursday. Marseilles had over four inches while 3.5 inches has fallen in Streator.

Ottawa and Earlville both had spots with over 2.5 inches while Peru and Oglesby saw between one and two inches.

Red Cross fundraiser asks you to run, walk or bike

If you’re not a fan of running, you can always walk at a fundraiser Sunday for the American Red Cross in Peru. If you’d rather not walk, you can bring your bicycle.

The Red Cross’ annual Walk, Run, Bike fundraiser starts at 1 around Baker Lake in Peru. You can take part as an individual or with a team and can sign up at Baker Lake Sunday morning.

Money raised will help the local Red Cross chapter. They’re fundraising goal this year is $30,000.

Geneseo woman dies after crash at Spring Valley golf course

The elderly woman who crashed into a gully at a Spring Valley golf course has died.

State Police say 91-year-old Muriel Miller of Geneseo died after being taken to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria on Wednesday. Troopers say she was on Spring Creek Drive when she drove down into a creek at the golf course. She had to be removed from her car by first responders.

Nobody else was involved in the crash.

Progress made on clearing debris out of Starved Rock

Slowly but surely more parts of Starved Rock State Park are opening back up after storm damage that happened June 30th.

The park’s boat ramp reopened yesterday. The road and picnic area near the boat ramp have been cleared of debris and can be used.

Trails to La Salle Canyon are close to being opened back up while trails from the visitor’s center and lodge to Wildcat Canyon were opened back up a week ago.