Two Hospitalized after Semi Jackknifes along I-80 in Bureau County

Police are still trying to find out what caused a semi to jackknife into a median Tuesday morning in Bureau County.

According to the Illinois State Police, Charles Dunlap of Alabama was going west on Interstate 80 west of Ladd when his semi ran into the median. The reason is unknown at this time, but after the semi went into the median it jackknifed before coming to rest partially in the eastbound lanes.

Both Dunlap and his passenger, Gerald Zimmerman from North Carolina, would have to be taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley. Dunlap would also be ticketed for improper lane use in the accident.

“Discovery Recount” Requested in Race for County Board Chair

Just when you thought you were starting to get past the excitement of the election, more drama pops up in one race.

According to County Clerk JoAnn Carretto, a petition for a discovery recount was filed in the race for County Board Chairman. The petition was filed by Republican challenger Don Jensen, who lost to incumbent Democrat Jerry Hicks by 293 votes.

Hicks was accepting of the move, saying Jensen “has every right” to ask for the recount, especially given the tight nature of the race. According to Illinois law, a candidate who loses a race can ask for the discovery recount if they get 95% of the votes that the winning candidate received.

Carretto says the recount will begin December 5^th, and continue as long as need be to complete the process.

Not guilty plea made in Deb Dewey case

A court appearance Tuesday didn’t lead to any new charges against the man accused of trying to hide Deb Dewey’s body but a jury trial date did come out of it.

Sixty-six-year-old Clifford Andersen of Standard waived his right to a speedy trial and agreed to a May 8^th jury trial date.  Andersen pled not guilty to concealment of a homicidal death.  According to an indictment, he buried Dewey on or about September 8^th at a property along Route 71 in Standard knowing that she had been killed.

The concealment charge brings the possibility of two to five years in prison but it’s also a crime that’s probation eligible.  Andersen needs $75,000 to post bond.  He’s being held in the Peoria County Jail due to health issues according to Judd Mennie

Andersen was using a walker to get around inside the courtroom.

Sales Tax Revenue for LaSalle County Continues Slide in August

The rough trend in sales tax revenue that goes to LaSalle County continued in August.

According to the latest report, the county took in $225,000 for the month. That was a drop of $7,000 from August of 2015, and the fifth straight month that sales tax revenue fell compared to the previous year.

That amount was the least the county had taken in for the month of August since 2017. It was also the seventh of the eight months with data for 2016 that the revenue dropped.

So far this year, the county has taken in a little more than $70,000 less than it had in sales tax revenue through the first eight months of 2015.

Road and bridge work planned next year in La Salle County

While construction season is coming to a close for this year, the LaSalle County Highway Department is already looking ahead to 2017.

The LaSalle County Board voted to adopt next year’s Highway Improvement Program at their last meeting. The 13 road, bridge, culvert, and drainage projects are expected to cost more than $11.5 million. However, nearly $6.7 million of that is planned to come from grants and other funds.

The biggest project slated for next year cost-wise is the Ed Hand Bridge replacement at a little less than $3.7 million. That’s followed by a widening and resurfacing of a stretch of Terra Cotta Road, near Ottawa, that runs from Route 6 to Intestate 80. That project will cost just short of $3 million.

Also planned is the first phase of the project to relocate Dee Bennett Road. The project is estimated at $711,000, but almost 80% of that will be paid by a federal grant.

More than 23 miles of road is expected to be under construction next year.

Historic fire truck returns to Sublette

SUBLETTE, Ill. (AP) – The fire department in Sublette has been reunited with a fire truck that it bought 90 years ago.

According to the NewsTribune the truck was only the second owned by the Sublette Fire Department, which bought it in 1946. Former firefighter Don Dinges says the truck was used until 1962.

The truck was traded to a fire equipment company and ended up with a farmer near Eureka who used it to provide water on his farm. The farmer searched the internet and found Dinges.

The truck was returned to Sublette with plans to restore it.

Schock lawyers ask for a change of venue

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Lawyers for former Congressman Aaron Schock want his corruption case moved from Springfield to Peoria.

Schock’s attorneys argue in a motion filed Monday the case has no connection to Springfield, and called Peoria more convenient and appropriate. The 35-year-old Schock is from Peoria.

He’s accused of using government and campaign money to subsidize a lavish lifestyle, as well as pocketing thousands of constituents’ dollars. Prosecutors say the disgraced Republican hosted Washington tours and meet-and-greets, charged a fee and kept some of the cash.

Schock used to represent both Putnam and Marshall Counties.