IDOT says it’s ready for storm

The Illinois Department of Transportation says they’re ready for the impending winter storm. In Springfield, IDOT says crews spent Saturday pre-treating bridge decks and elevated driving surfaces that could develop ice. The agency reports 1700 trucks and 3700 employees statewide are ready to battle the snow and ice.

Some 10 – 14 inches could fall across far northern Illinois and Chicago, 8 – 10 inches across our area, 3 – 6 inches near Bloomington and Peoria. IDOT and the State Police strongly encourage “Super Bowl”partiers to have a sober driver to get you home.

Blizzard warning in effect in LaSalle County

While a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 9pm Sunday for Bureau and Putnam Counties,  the National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning unti midnight Sunday in LaSalle County.

The Weather Service says 10 – 16 inches may fall across LaSalle County by Midnight with Northeast winds gusting to 45 mph. Visibility may be reduced to near “white out” conditions.   NWS says the wind and snow on power lines may lead to isolated power outages.

Similar conditions are forecast in Bureau and Putnam through the rest of Sunday.

Two arrests made after apparent armed robbery at Grand Ridge Shell station

Two men are accused of holding up the Shell gas station in Grand Ridge.

Around 10pm Friday, a Grand Ridge officer saw a car speed away from the gas station and a chase ensued. Deputies from La Salle County and Grundy County joined in and helped to eventually stop David Downey of Ottawa and Christopher Downey of Marseilles on the Grand Ridge-Mazon Blacktop east of Route 47.

The Downey’s were arrested for armed robbery and taken to the La Salle County Jail. They’re due in court Sunday morning.

Investigators say a weapon was displayed during the gas station robbery. Deputies aren’t saying what all was allegedly stolen from the Shell station.

Senate president says to hold off on criticizing Rauner over salaries

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois’ Senate president says it’s important to understand the context of higher salaries given to a number of new Republican Governor Bruce Rauner’s top staff.

Democrat John Cullerton says he plans to “wait and see” what the overall budget of Rauner’s office is and “how it’s balanced before we look to criticize.” The Associated Press found annual salaries of 10 top staffers in Rauner’s administration outpace those of comparable aides to former Governor Pat Quinn by roughly $380,000 – or 36 percent.

Rauner says spending inside the governor’s office overall is currently less than under Quinn.
He has criticized spending and worker salaries while the state is in billions of dollars of debt.

High school basketball museum opening in Pontiac

PONTIAC, Ill. (AP) – A museum dedicated to Illinois basketball glory will open to fans by 2016.

The Basketball Museum of Illinois will be in Pontiac. The museum will house offices and the Hall of Fame for the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association. It will be located inside the city’s Vermillion Plaza.

A June 2016 opening is scheduled to coincide with Pontiac’s Route 66 Convention. The city also is the home of the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame and Museum.

Museum officials want to collect photos of all 740 Illinois high school gyms still in use.