Silvis Woman Cited for Alleged Illegal Ice Cream Truck at Starved Rock State Park

A woman’s effort to make a quick buck at Starved Rock State Park this weekend didn’t turn out as planned.

According to Conservation Police Sergeant Phil Wire, 43-year old Dianna Downing from Silvis, Illinois did not notify anyone that she had planned to sell ice cream from her truck on Sunday.

When police were investigating the ice cream truck they also noticed Downing behaving oddly. She was determined to be driving under the influence.

Downing was cited for DUI as well as selling without a permit.

Governor Rauner Meets Mayors to Explain Solutions to State Budget Crisis

As the calendar inches closer to entering a full year without a state budget Friday, Governor Bruce Rauner met with several mayors to pitch possible solutions.

Specifically, the governor was speaking about 2 bills he’s been trying to raise support for all month. The first would allow the state to allocate money so the Departments of Corrections and Human Services can pay their bills. It would also allow construction work with the Department of Transportation to continue through Friday, while giving money to public colleges and universities.

The second bill would provide money for schools in a move that would, according to a statement issued by Rauner, “ensure school districts will open on time in the fall.” The bill would provide at least the same amount of funding that districts had received in the past.

State Senator Sue Rezin has signed on as a “Chief Co-Sponsor” of the education funding bill.

Ottawa Police warn about car burglars

It can’t be said enough, lock up your car.

Ottawa Police say they are looking into a rash of car break-ins over the weekend. In each case the burglars only got into cars that were unlocked. Cash, loose change and cigarettes were some of the things stolen.

Remember even if you’re running inside home or a business, it only takes a thief a short time to get into your car.

Injured dog rescued after spending nearly a full day on a Matthiessen State Park ledge

It’s not just humans who fall at state parks. First responders from Tonica and Oglesby spent a chunk of their weekend rescuing a fallen pooch.

Shane and Meghan Murray of Forest Park were at Matthiessen State Park Saturday when their dog Walter fell to a ledge where his owners couldn’t get to. Shane took to his Facebook to say “thanks to the heroics, bravery and dedication of the fine men of the Oglesby and Tonica Fire Departments, Walter was returned safely by boat almost 18 hours after his fall.”

Walter suffered a broken foot and cuts and bruises. Shane said “delighted to have our little guy home and safe, even though he’s very shaken by the ordeal.”

Youth concussion problem will be tackled in Streator

As a parent, are you thinking twice about letting your kid play sports because of head injuries? Concussions in youth sports are the subject of a panel discussion in Streator.

The concussion talk Wednesday will feature doctors from OSF along with experts from the Illinois Neurological Institute and Great Plains Ortho. OSF Center for Health Dr. Mark Wargo says the head injury talk was put together based on feedback from coaches.

The concussion talk runs from 5:30 until 6:30 at the OSF Center for Health in Streator.

Two park goers take a tumble in Utica

It was another busy summer weekend at Starved Rock State Park.

Sunday night around 7:30, a woman fell at Wildcat Canyon. Utica Fire Chief Ben Brown says the woman in her 20s was playing in a waterfall when she fell, hurting her ankle. She was off the trail. The woman was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

Back on Saturday morning, a man in his 50s broke his hip during a fall at Lover’s Leap. He apparently tripped over a bench. He was on the trails. The man was taken to IVCH in Peru.

Candlelight vigil in Princeton will shine light on Orlando massacre

The tragedy two weeks ago in Orlando is still on many people’s minds. There’s a candlelight vigil planned in Princeton to remember the shooting victims.

You can join members of the Open Prairie United Church of Christ in Princeton at 8:30 tonight in Veteran’s Park. You can grab a candle at that time or bring your own.
The vigil route is about a mile long and ends at the church. Once at the church, the names of the 49 shooting victims will be read off. There will also be some singing and guest speakers.

Donations will also be collected to benefit the Equality Florida’s Pulse Victims Fund. For more information about the vigil, click Princeton Pulse Vigil

Weather service confirms tornado hit Earlville last week

You can add Earlville to the list of towns experiencing a tornado last Wednesday.

National Weather Service survey crews say a tornado was on the ground for five miles on the east side of Earlville. The twister was 400 yards wide and had maximum winds of 110 miles per hour. Damage included siding being ripped off at least one house and a lot of tree and cornfield damage.

Counting Earlville, ten tornadoes have now been confirmed to have hit Wednesday night. The others were in Sheridan, Pontiac, Troy Grove, Ottawa, West Brooklyn, Seneca, Mazon and Cissna Park. Two small twisters formed north of Ottawa.

Time running out on Illinois construction projects

Are you eager to see a new bridge over the Illinois River in Spring Valley? You may have to wait awhile longer because of the budget mess in Springfield.

Contractors working on state funded construction projects have been told to not come back to the job site Friday if a new budget isn’t passed. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, this would put a stop to progress being made on a new Route 89 bridge in Spring Valley.

So far only four million dollars of work has been done at the bridge. The total project cost is nearly $39 million.

Work on Route 47 in Morris will also be stopped Friday.