Ottawa apartment fire causes $30 G in damages

Nobody was hurt during an apartment fire west of downtown Ottawa.

The Ottawa Fire Department was called to the 700 block of Webster Street for heavy fire coming from the rear of an apartment. The flames eventually went up to the third floor. Firefighters quickly knocked the blaze down.

An apartment’s electric stove likely started the fire. The initial 9-1-1 call came in just before three Wednesday afternoon.

Illinois Commerce Commission Says Not Calling Before You Dig Could be Costly

Are you planning to take advantage of the warm weather by getting some construction work done? One state department wants to remind you to call before you dig, or it could cost you.

The Illinois Commerce Commission says you should call 8-1-1 before any outdoor project that requires digging. They say these projects range from things like building a deck to smaller projects like installing a mailbox or planting a tree. The 8-1-1 number will put you in touch will the State One Call Center, which is a 24-hour service that was put in place to stop you from hitting utility lines when digging.

You should call 8-1-1 at least 2 days before breaking ground on your project, according to the ICC. If you don’t, it could cost you. The ICC says they gave out more than $90,000 in fines for safe digging violations last year.

Princeton hoping to fill vacant box store with new retail

There’s some positive movement on filling the old Walmart building in Princeton.

The Princeton City Council is working on a million dollar tax incentive agreement with a realty group in Missouri who plans to buy the vacant Walmart building and sub-divide it into 3 or 4 lots. The hope would be to fill the empty box store with new retail like Peru was able to do with its old Walmart building.

The realty group plans to renovate the old Walmart building while also fixing up the parking lot and put in new roadside signage.

Flag coming to IVCH honors organ and tissue donors

Flags are raised and lowered every day, but a special flag at Illinois Valley Community Hospital will honor those who were given life thanks to others.

IVCH is celebrating April’s designation as National Donate Life Month by having a Donate Life flag raising ceremony next Thursday. Senior executives from the hospital will be there as will representatives from the organ and tissue donor network to answer any questions you might have about organ donation.

The ceremony will be in front of the IVCH West Entrance at 10am. The flag, honoring organ, eye, and tissue donors, will fly below the American flag in front of the hospital.

Fracking film coming to Ottawa for one night only

If you’re not a fan of sand mining or are just curious about its potential negative impact, check out a movie showing Thursday night in Ottawa.

A documentary called “Dear President Obama, the Clean Energy Revolution is Now” will be shown at Roxy Cinemas at 7. The film’s director will be there to take questions.

The movie calls on the president to address climate change by banning fracking. Actor Mark Ruffalo is the film’s narrator.

Warplanes set to invade the Illinois Valley

Dozens of historic warplanes will be flying into the Illinois Valley this Saturday for a historic reunion and salute to veterans.

More than half of the World War Two torpedo bombers known as TBM Avengers are reuniting this Saturday at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport. The all-day event will also give you the chance to see planes from World War Two through Vietnam.

Some of the planes will simulate torpedo runs and fly in formation as part of Saturday’s attraction. You can see all the planes for free and there’s no charge for parking.
Feel free to bring your camera.