Park numbers low, but will rise in October

Were you among the almost 11-500 people in attendance at Starved Rock State Park Saturday?   JoLyn Wild is the park’s Natural Resources Coordinator.  3000 of that group went through the Visitors Center.  Wild says the threat of rain held attendance down at Starved Rock and kept visitors to a mere 2000 at Matthiessen State Park.

Wild says the biggest month is still to come at Starved Rock.  Labor Day draws huge numbers, but not to be outdone, is October, with the fall color change.  That, too, says Wild will also likely fill Starved Rock to near capacity again.

Paroled Rockford man faces charges in LaSalle County

Why would a man from Rockford pick a gas station in Streator to rob?  That’s a question yet to be answered.

LaSalle County States Attorney Brian Towne says he hasn’t been able to confirm 50-year old William Webb’s connection to Streator.  Webb was convicted for burglary in 1984 in LaSalle County.

He’s now looking at charges for attempted murder, armed robbery and aggravated discharge of a firearm. Webb is accused of shooting at a Streator police officer who showed up at the Circle K South gas station Thursday night while Webb was allegedly robbing the business.

Webb was let out of prison in October on parole after serving more than 20 years for a murder conviction in Winnebago County.

Delays this week on Ottawa bridge

If you tend to run late as you cross Ottawa’s Veterans Memorial Bridge, the bridge might put you further behind most of this week.  The Illinois Department of Transportation says the traveling public using the bridge should expect delays Monday through Thursday.

Traffic will be reduced to 1 lane – northbound and southbound – at different times due to routine maintenance. IDOT asks you to proceed with caution through this area.

 

 

UPDATE: LaSalle County dealing with Sunday flood issues

On Sunday afternoon, Dopler radar indicated upwards of 3 inches of rain have fallen across Seneca and Marseilles. The National Weather Service says flash flooding is expected shortly in these areas. A Flash Flood Warning is in effect across east central LaSalle County and adjoining counties until 7:30pm.

Heavy rains of 1 to 2 inches early Saturday morning necessitated a Flood Warning along the Illinois River in LaSalle.  Flood stage there is 20 feet. At 8:45 pm Saturday, the level was 19.6 feet.  The National Weather Service expects the river level to rise to 22.3 feet by early Monday morning. The Flood Warning will expire Tuesday afternoon. It has expired already at Ottawa.

Q + A on Dementia Wednesday in Granville

If you’ve noticed an older family member showing signs of dementia, you can get answers from an expert this Wednesday night at the Granville Library.  Carol Krancic is a former outreach worker for the Central Illinois Alzheimer’s Group who has worked with Alzheimer’s patients in a 20 county area.

Krancic has had one of her own family afflicted with the disease as well as years of one-on-one counseling with caregivers. The program starts at 6.  It’s free.

 

Health Department concerned about standing water

LaSalle County Health Department continues to monitor the county for possible West Nile Virus. So far, in a 2 week period,  they have examined 5 dead crows – 1 in Peru and 2 in Oglesby.  The remainder were in Mendota and Ottawa. To date, LaSalle County has not documented any human cases of West Nile virus in 2016. West Nile virus is spread to humans by mosquitos who have bitten infected birds.

The Health Department recommends using an insect repellent that contains DEET if you’ll be outdoors enjoying fall activities. In light of all the rain, you’re asked to look around and remove standing water in any container. Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.  Also report any water left stagnant for more than a week in roadside ditches and flooded yards.