Measle cluster affecting children in suburban Chicago

An illness that’s rare in Illinois has infected up to five children at a daycare center in suburban Chicago.

The cluster of measles involves children under the age of one at the KinderCare Learning Center in Palatine. The Cook County Public Health Department and Illinois Department of Public Health announced the cases Thursday.

Testing has confirmed the illness in two children while the other three children are showing symptoms.

Public health officials aren’t sure how the children caught it. They’ve told all students, staff and faculty that anyone who has not had the MMR vaccine to stay home for the next 21 days.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness. It causes a fever, red and sore eyes, and a rash. Severe cases can lead to serious complications and death.

You can get measles from coughs and sneezes of an infected person.

NASA releases new picture of Pluto for Clyde Tombaugh’s birthday

How about this for a birthday present? NASA released new photos of Pluto Wednesday to mark what would’ve been the 109th birthday of Pluto discoverer and Streator’s own Clyde Tombaugh.

The pictures of Pluto and its largest moon were taken from the New Horizons vessel that is planning to flyby Pluto in July. The vessel from NASA is carrying remains of Tombaugh who discovered Pluto in 1930.

New Horizons blasted off from Earth nine years ago. It’s travelling at 31,000 miles per hour.

You can check out a picture of Pluto by checking out a story from the BBC on the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO Facebook page.

Tickets on sale for annual Boob-A-Palooza fundraiser

In just over a month, “Boob-A-Palooza” returns to the Illinois Valley to help fight the “dread”.

The sixth annual fundraiser is set for Saturday, March 7th at Celebrations 150 in La Salle. Last year’s fundraiser set a new record of raising over $65,000. Proceeds from “Boob-A-Palooza” go to Cops 4 Cancer which uses the money to help people and families dealing with cancer pay for groceries, utilities and house payments.

The fundraiser will include live bands, food, drinks and raffles. Tickets are available at Rudy’s Liquors in downtown La Salle.

Snow removal means temporary street closures

There are only so many places you can push snow to in a downtown. Oglesby and Peru Street Department workers will be clearing snow Thursday night and closing off some stretches of roads in the process.

Crews in Oglesby will clear snow from Walnut Street beginning at 10. You should have your car off of the street by 9:30pm. They’ll be clearing from Casey’s General Store to the dry bridge.

In Peru, snow removal goes from 8 until midnight along 4th Street, or Route 6.