Coast Guard is “cutting ice”

The U.S. Coast Guard is welcoming spring by breaking up ice that remains on some Great Lakes shipping channels.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay welcomed aboard members of the media Friday to demonstrate icebreaking on Michigan’s St. Clair River. It’s all part of an effort to remove unstable ice, provide flood relief and facilitate commerce.

Captain John Henry and his crew of more than a dozen guided the 140-foot Bristol Bay through the icy waters of the river, which connects Lakes Huron and St. Clair.  Last year, the Bristol Bay was cutting ice well into May. Henry hopes to be done in April this year.  But, as he says, “Mother Nature always does her own thing.”

State Farm wins “rain damage” suit

In a split decision, the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that an insurance company is not on the hook for a 2010 leak at Waterloo shopping center that damaged a store. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says the high court on Friday sided with State Farm Insurance in a lawsuit filed by a customer, Amish Connection Inc.

Court records say a metal drainpipe burst during a summer storm, sending water into Amish Connection’s shop, damaging inventory and business records.  State Farm refused to cover the claim, saying its policy didn’t cover rain damage. The Iowa Court of Appeals sided with the store last year, but on Friday, the majority of the Iowa Supreme Court said that rainwater, even if from a broken pipe, is exempt.

Aurora teen in good condition after fall

An 18-year old Aurora man is in good condition in Peoria after falling Friday in Starved Rock. District Conservation Police officer Hank Frazier said Christopher Stewart fell 90 feet late Friday afternoon to the floor of “Wild Cat Canyon” after trying to break off some ice at the rim of the canyon. Frazier said the youth, who had climbed over the fence, was life-flighted to OSF St. Francis in Peoria and underwent surgery Saturday morning.

Charges are pending for Stewart, however; an 18-year old woman,  Tara Watkins of Aurora was charged with drug paraphernalia and having a small amount of cannabis. Frazier said 2 others in the party appeared to be heavily intoxicated, but were not charged. Alcohol is prohibited on all park trails.

Hot plate fire kills 7 children

A woman and 7 children are dead after fire tore through a home in Brooklyn, New York overnight.

Fire officials say a teenager and a woman believed to be the mother of all 8 are in critical condition after jumping from the 2nd floor. The fire commissioner says the fire may have been caused by a hotplate that was left on.

Governor Rauner’s plans receive a setback

Illinois’ Democratic attorney general has delivered a blow to Republican Governor Bruce Rauner’s efforts to weaken labor unions.

Lisa Madigan on Friday issued formal opinions saying two of Rauner’s proposals would be illegal.  The first would allow local governments to create so-called “right to work zones” where union membership would be voluntary. The other would let local governments opt out of prevailing wage agreements, which require workers on government projects to receive wages that reflect local compensation for similar jobs.

Kangley man held on $750-thousand bond

A disturbance in Kangley Friday morning put a Kangley man in the county jail on ¾ of a million dollars bond.

The report says 2 men were fighting  about 6:30am at 5010 8th Street and 1 began running when a deputy arrived. Though the man was caught a short distance away, he continued to struggle. Deputies found 61 bags of purported heroin weighing about 30 grams on his person.

King was taken to the county jail on charges of resisting, obstructing, battery, assault, possession of a controlled substance and wanted for 2 warrants.

Aurora man in surgery after fall

An 18-year old Aurora man was in surgery late Saturday morning after falling 90 feet yesterday in Starved Rock State Park.

Sgt. Hank Frazier with the Conservation Police said Christopher Stewart fell late Friday afternoon to the floor of “Wild Cat Canyon” after trying to break off some ice at the canyon’s rim.  Frazier said the youth, who had climbed over the fence, was life-flighted to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria in critical condition.

Charges of unlawful entry into a restricted area are pending. A woman, 18-year old Tara Watkins of Aurora was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and having a small amount of cannabis.  Frazier said it appeared 2 others with Stewart  had been drinking.  Alcohol is prohibited on all park trails.