New museum opening soon

Michael Wollack is the President of Promeer Flashlight company in the Westclox building. But, these days his attention is on preserving the old and anything that is Westclox.  Wollack is opening the Westclox museum to the public 8 – 5 Friday and 10 – 4 Saturday.

Discovering a late relative’s clockmaker tools ignited a passion in Wollack for saving such items. After media interviews, the curator has accumulated “Tick Tock” company newsletters, time pieces, a salesman’s briefcase and more. Much of it will be displayed Friday and Saturday at the west end of Westclox. Volunteers are also needed. Contact Wollack in person or on the Westclox museum Facebook page.

Comments sought for pollution plan

Off target fertilizer feeds algae and depletes oxygen in Illinois Waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. With that in mind, Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett and state ag director Robert Flider have announced a new statewide effort to control phosphorus and nitrogen run-off.

The public is invited to submit comments on the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy through January 24. The project aims to reduce nutrient loss from wastewater treatment plants, farm fields and city streets by 45 percent. Helping to form the plan are Illinois’s Farm Bureau, Corn Growers, Pork Producers and Fertilizer and Chemical Associations, Sierra Club and the University of Illinois.

Man considers no more flying

The pilot of a single-engine plane that made an emergency landing on a Connecticut road says he called the airport to have workers tell his kids he loved them  – in case he didn’t survive.

Danny Hall says he experienced engine problems and lost power while flying a Skyline Cessna Saturday afternoon.  Hall says he called Hartford-Brainard Airport to deliver the message to his children, then put the plane down on a road with no traffic on it. It was an under-construction busway.  Federal officials are investigating.

Hall says he also survived a 2008 plane crash into a Rhode Island river.  Hall says he is considering giving up flying.

Missing Georgia boy found

A Georgia judge has denied bond for a man and woman charged with child cruelty and false imprisonment after police found the man’s 13-year-old son hidden behind a false wall in the couple’s metro Atlanta home. WXIA-TV reports the couple made their first court appearance at the Clayton County jail Sunday. They were arrested when police found the boy Saturday after he used a cellphone to send his mother a text message.

Police said the mother told them she reported her son missing to child welfare officials 4 years ago when the boy’s father wouldn’t return him after a visit. Police say they’re trying to determine who had legal custody.

Meanwhile, a judge scheduled a Dec. 9 preliminary hearing for the father and woman charged with hiding the boy.

Ferguson officials to address resignation

Officials in Ferguson, Missouri, plan to address Sunday the resignation of the white police officer who fatally shot black 18-year-old Michael Brown. Darren Wilson, who had been on administrative leave since the Aug. 9 shooting, resigned Saturday, according to his lawyer.

Brown’s parents plan to attend a church service Sunday where civil rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to preach.

IHSA responds to lawsuit

The Illinois High School Association has responded to a new class-action lawsuit alleging the governing body hasn’t done enough to protect football players from concussions.  An attorney filed the suit Saturday on behalf of former high school quarterback Daniel Bukal in Cook County Circuit Court.

In an e-mailed statement, IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman said he wanted to keep the spotlight Saturday on the last football playoff finals. He says IHSA will review the suit and comment more fully when appropriate.  But he did add concussion management is a top IHSA priority. And he says it’ll “continue to be a leader” in reducing head-injury risks.

Bukal suffered concussions playing at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles between 1999 and 2003. The suit says he still suffers frequent migraines and some memory loss.

Kids clothes swap coming to Mendota

Children will swap food at school, but you can swap the clothes they’ve outgrown.  This Saturday,  Illinois Valley Childrens’ Clothing swap celebrates its 1st anniversary at the First United Methodist in Mendota. It works this way: You bring your childrens’ clean clothes – free of stains and holes – and trade item for item. Hours will be 10 – 2 Friday and Saturday. If you don’t have anything to trade, you can purchase a bag of clothes for $2. The Swap also trades coats, shoes, socks and baby and kids blankets. The idea is to help families cut the cost of purchasing clothes for growing kids.

New States Attorney selected

The next States Attorney for Putnam County has been chosen. The NewsTribune reports that Christina Mennie was officially appointed Saturday the Putnam County Board.

Mennie will replace James Mack who is leaving the post after being elected a circuit judge position. Like Mack, Mennie is a Republican.

Tickets on sale for “A Christmas Carol”

The classic story, “A Christmas Carol” has been remade and transformed into versions featuring The Muppets, Mickey Mouse, and more. You can enjoy another take on the traditional story at Engle Lane Theater in Streator.

A cast will perform the story reader’s theater style during which they read from scripts. Steve Myers will read the role of Ebenezer Scrooge while Mary Morgan will narrate.

Performances are Saturday, December 13 at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 10-12. It’s not recommended for children younger than 10.

Princeton to receive grant money for sidewalk improvements and signage

Walking to school used to be the norm when you were young, but busy roads make the trek to school dangerous for today’s students.

Princeton is receiving federal grant money to pay for sidewalk work to make the walk to school safer around its public schools.

The city is receiving a $131,000 Safe Routes to Schools Grant. The money will pay for sidewalk improvements and signage. Princeton is the only area town receiving the grant this year.