Car crashes outside Utica Sunday morning

Not all the details are available yet, but Utica Fire Department was called to a single vehicle accident at the base of the Route 178 hill around 4am Sunday.  Lt. Robyn Partain is with the Utica Fire Department.  She told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” news a car with 2 occupants hit a guardrail just east of the City Limits Inn on the north side of Utica.

Partain could not release the names of the occupants.  “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” is  awaiting a report from District 17 State Police.

 

Sheriff seeks driver of abandoned car

Details on a 3 vehicle accident  on Route 52 east of Serena Saturday afternoon haven’t been released.  That’s because the driver responsible left and abandoned his vehicle on East 2609 road.  A male passenger left with the driver, but  46-year old Maria Guevara of Chicago was found later by a deputy inside. The driver of the second vehicle, 18-year old Jacob Trattner of Earlville went to OSF St. Elizabeth as did Guevara.  The driver of a 3^rd car, 20-year old Joshua Ebert of Serena was not hurt.

 

Oglesby man’s trial delayed till August

When an Oglesby man goes on trial for a fatal hit and run,  a year will almost have passed since it occurred on a rural Bureau County road. 20-year old Jose Torres was headed to court July 25, but his trial will now start  August 22^nd.

The previous August, 19-year old Jacquelin Martinez of Mendota was walking with friends on a rural road near Bureau when all were struck by a Jaguar that left the scene.  Martinez died as a result of injuries, but her friends survived.

Torres is facing felony charges of failing to report an accident resulting in death and failing to report an accident resulting in an injury.  The Bureau County Sheriff was instrumental in tracking down the owner of the red jaguar seen at the crime.

 

Rep. Skoog seeks help to clean park

Your local State Representative loves the large crowds using Starved Rock….but, he’s not keen on the trash they leave behind.  In response, State Representative Andy Skoog has planned a 3 hour “Clean Up Day” on July 5^th at Starved Rock State Park.

Skoog’s release says recent media stories about the park’s record crowds also raised the issue of trash that’s left behind. Skoog decided a “Clean Up” day on the afternoon of July 5 was needed to help the overwhelmed park staff.  If you’d like to help out, contact Skoog’s office at 780-8720 or email Repskoog@gmail.com.

Budget impasse threatens local road project

Illinois Department of Transportation officials warn that $2 billion in road construction projects will halt this summer if Republican Governor Bruce Rauner and Democratic leaders do not agree on a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.  The Associated Press compiled a list of projects and the Route 89 bridge over the Illinois River at Spring Valley is threatened.

It’s estimated $34.5 million of work remains on the almost $39-million dollar contract.  At Morris, Route 47 at I-80 plus 2 new bridges may not happen because of the budget impasse.  And, drivers using the Jane Byrne interchange in Chicago may see construction there stop.  Roughly  ¼ of the $156 million dollar project remains to be done.

Dimmick road partly closed starting Tuesday

A culvert replacement on East 3^rd road southwest of Troy Grove will take 3 weeks to complete.  That word from County Engineer Larry Kinzer, who said work will start on this Tuesday a quarter mile north of North 32^nd road in Dimmick Township. A detour will not be posted.  Motorists are advised to find an alternate route.