3 critical after 2 head-on accidents

3 people are receiving critical care after 2 head on collisions, both late Friday morning.

16-year old Katelyn Ortiz crossed the centerline on East 29th road late near Seneca. She hit a semi driven by Edward Henkel of Sublette. Ortiz is in Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
At about the same time on Route 52, not far from Mendota, Bennie Sumner of Mendota crossed the centerline and  struck the car of  Cyril Ward of Amboy.   Sumner was flown to St. Anthony’s in Rockford where he is still in critical condition. Cyril Ward is also in critical condition at Rockford Memorial Hospital. Four year old Brayden Ward is no longer hospitalized at Mendota Community Hospital.

Lee County Sheriff investigators don’t think speed or alcohol are factors, but, they are looking closely at cell phone usage.

IVCC Trustees planning to meet about faculty contract

Hopefully there will be progress in contract negotiations at Illinois Valley Community College.

The IVCC Board of Trustees are having a special meeting Wednesday night at 7:30 to discuss a collective bargaining contract with faculty members. Union faculty members at IVCC held an informational picket on campus during the first day of classes, upset that they’re now working on an expired contract.

Both sides have been working towards breaking a mediator in to help strike a deal.

Hopeful medical marijuana growers can now apply for a license

CHICAGO (AP) – The official applications have been posted for aspiring medical marijuana businesses in Illinois.

The applications and detailed instructions were posted yesterday on the state’s medical cannabis website. The application period opens Sept. 8 and runs through Sept. 22.

Peru, Ottawa, Princeton, and Oglesby are among the towns in the Illinois Valley who have been approached by companies to build cultiviation centers. Only one business will be picked in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties.

Potential medical marijuana patients can start applying for the program Tuesday.