ILLIANA NEWS NOTES ON WGFA FOR Friday, September 28, 2007 >

TRAFFIC FATALITY IN KANKAKEE COUNTY….. FELONY DUI ARREST IN WATSEKA…… TEEN DRINKING DEATH HEARING…… NEW GARBAGE PICK-UP SERVICE FOR SHELDON…… ETHANOL HEARING NEXT WEEK……

SUNNY AND COOL TODAY, HIGH NEAR 73. LIGHT WINDS FROM THE NW AT 5 MPH. WEATHER STATS AT WGFARADIO.COM.

* WGFA broadcast from the St. Anne Pumpkin Festival *

• The 19th annual St. Anne Pumpkin Festival this weekend features a live broadcast on 94.1 FM, WGFA. The broadcast runs from 9-11 am. The Silhouettes perform Friday from 8-11 pm. Saturday’s parade steps off 2:30 pm Several events continue Sunday.
• Global Renewable Energy, Inc. brings its ethanol plant proposal for Iroquois County back before the Regional Planning Commission again next week. The October 2nd meeting is at 7:30 pm at the Administrative Center in Watseka. The company has shown interest in building a facility on a 44-acre site at County Road 1800 and Route 24, west of Watseka.
• Sheldon residents look toward the new month and a new disposal service. Beginning October 1st, a new contract kicks in between the village and Kaufmann Disposal Service. The first pick-up day is Friday, October 5th.
• A rural Kankakee County man died overnight in a traffic crash. 22-year-old Andrew Dove lost control of his car, which traveled into a field and rolled. He was pronounced dead after firemen cut Dove from the wreckage. A passenger, 22-year-old Austin Marion of Manteno, was able to free himself and call police.
• 54-year-old Geronimo Lopez of Watseka faces several charges after a traffic stop by Watseka police. Lopez is facing charges including Aggravated DUI, Felony Driving while Revoked, Failure to Yield, Illegal Transportation of Alcohol and Driving in the Wrong Lane.
• 20-year-old Nathan Richmond of Watseka was also arrested by Watseka officers for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Obstructing Justice. Richmond allegedly gave police a false name.
• In Livingston County—a Chenoa woman faces a hearing for allegedly providing alcohol for am underage party. Anne Haugen’s preliminary hearing is set for October 11th. Police said Haugen provided the alcohol for an underage party that led to the death of 16-year-old Travis Steidinger of Fairbury. The teen was at a party in Fairbury.
• High School Football on WGFA — Homecoming at Watseka this evening. The Warriors host Tri-Point. WGFA also plans reports from the Iroquois West at Momence game.
• –More news on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFARadio.com

WGFA NEWS NOTES ON 94.1 FM FOR Thursday, September 27, 2007 >

9-1-1- SERVICE DISRUPTED….. BUILDING COLLAPSE IN MILFORD….. BRIANNA DRIVE SITE CHOSEN IN WATSEKA FOR NEW CITY HALL…….PREP IROQUOIS COUNTY GOLF TOURNAMENT RESULTS…….

EXTREMELY FOGGY — FOGGY THIS MORNING. THE NWS HAS ISSUED AN ADVISORY FOR EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS. VISIBILITY DOWN TO LESS THAN A QUARTER-MILE IN AREAS. PARTLY CLOUDY OTHERWISE, HIGH NEAR 75. ISOLATED T-STORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON.

–Tom Armstrong: Your State Farm Agent today’s WGFA BUSINESS-OF-THE-DAY.

• Milford Village officials and the owner of a collapsed building will be in local court Friday. Village leaders will ask for a condemnation order to take down the rest of the building–after a wall came tumbling down Thursday morning, forcing apartment dwellers to evacuate and four other businesses to close. No injury was involved. Milford Fire Chief Frank Hines said an engineer has suggested the remainder of the building needs to come down for safety sake. Village administrators had been monitoring the building’s condition—Hines said—because of issues with a leaking roof. But the collapse–he said–was unexpected. A brick wall of the two-story structure fell into the single-story back side.
• The American Red Cross has offered assistance to renters left homeless. Businesses forced to close temporarily include the Hangout, Simple Touches, Nielson-Butler Real Estate and the Harris Insurance Agency. Axtel and East Jones Street traffic is also limited.
• A communication link that processes 9-1-1 calls failed Wednesday morning, impacting 9-1-1 service for Ford and at least three other central Illinois counties. Officials say public safety was not compromised but a lot of behind the scene action took place to make sure emergency calls were answered. A Verizon spokesman said about 100,000 wireless and landline phone customers didn’t have 9-1-1 service for at least one hour. The problem caused emergency calls to be re-routed across several areas of central Illinois. Verizon was investigating the cause.
• Construction of a new city hall and police station will begin immediately now that the city council voted to OK construction on city property along Brianna Drive. The 6-2 vote Tuesday finds demolition of the current police station–at 5th and Walnut–on-hold while construction proceeds. Alderman Richard Corke said any person or group wanting to save the police station from the wrecking ball will have about a year to come up with a plan.
• Six counties in Illinois, including Will, Grundy and LaSalle, will be eligible for federal help from storms last month. President Bush issued a disaster declaration following the August storms that caused flooding and other problems.
• –More area news notes on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

94.1 FM, WGFA —- since 1961

WGFA NEWS NOTES ON 94.1 FM FOR Thursday, September 27, 2007 >

9-1-1- SERVICE DISRUPTED….. BUILDING COLLAPSE IN MILFORD….. BRIANNA DRIVE SITE CHOSEN IN WATSEKA FOR NEW CITY HALL…….PREP IROQUOIS COUNTY GOLF TOURNAMENT RESULTS…….

EXTREMELYTHE-DAY. — FOGGY THIS MORNING. THE NWS HAS ISSUED AN ADVISORY FOR EAST-CENTRAL ILLINOIS. VISIBILITY DOWN TO LESS THAN A QUARTER-MILE IN AREAS. PARTLY CLOUDY OTHERWISE, HIGH NEAR 75. ISOLATED T-STORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON.

–Tom Armstrong: Your State Farm Agent today’s WGFA BUSINESS-OF-THE-DAY.

• Milford Village officials and the owner of a collapsed building will be in local court Friday. Village leaders will ask for a condemnation order to take down the rest of the building–after a wall came tumbling down Thursday morning, forcing apartment dwellers to evacuate and four other businesses to close. No injury was involved. Milford Fire Chief Frank Hines said an engineer has suggested the remainder of the building needs to come down for safety sake. Village administrators had been monitoring the building’s condition—Hines said—because of issues with a leaking roof. But the collapse–he said–was unexpected. A brick wall of the two-story structure fell into the single-story back side.
• The American Red Cross has offered assistance to renters left homeless. Businesses forced to close temporarily include the Hangout, Simple Touches, Nielson-Butler Real Estate and the Harris Insurance Agency. Axtel and East Jones Street traffic is also limited.
• A communication link that processes 9-1-1 calls failed Wednesday morning, impacting 9-1-1 service for Ford and at least three other central Illinois counties. Officials say public safety was not compromised but a lot of behind the scene action took place to make sure emergency calls were answered. A Verizon spokesman said about 100,000 wireless and landline phone customers didn’t have 9-1-1 service for at least one hour. The problem caused emergency calls to be re-routed across several areas of central Illinois. Verizon was investigating the cause.
• Construction of a new city hall and police station will begin immediately now that the city council voted to OK construction on city property along Brianna Drive. The 6-2 vote Tuesday finds demolition of the current police station–at 5th and Walnut–on-hold while construction proceeds. Alderman Richard Corke said any person or group wanting to save the police station from the wrecking ball will have about a year to come up with a plan.
• Six counties in Illinois, including Will, Grundy and LaSalle, will be eligible for federal help from storms last month. President Bush issued a disaster declaration following the August storms that caused flooding and other problems.
• –More area news notes on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

94.1 FM, WGFA —- since 1961

WGFA NEWS NOTES ON 94.1 FM FOR Wednesday, Sept 26, 2007 >

Elevator accident claims a life….. Railroad worker seriously injured in Iroquois County….. Sex charge against Sheldon man…… Teen acquitted of weapons charges…… Ameren responds to storm recovery…… Some of Illiana’s top news notes on WGFA for Wednesday, September 26, 2007.

Cooler conditions after the rain. High today near 69. There’s a 40% chance of showers before mid-day today. Temperatures in the 70s the rest of the week.

–Additional news notes on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• A LaSalle County man died after he was buried in a grain bin Monday night. 33-year-old Sean Garkey of Ottawa was the manager of Access Ag, Inc. at Mazon, an elevator facility in Grundy County. He was in the bin when he was covered by an avalenche of soybeans. Garkey was pronounced dead about 5 am Tuesday. The Grundy County Coroner’s office and OSHA will investigate.
• Iroquois County emergency responders answered a call to a railroad accident near Stockland Monday. A contractor working for the KB& S Railroad felland was run over by a railroad “spiker.” 25-year-old Jerry Maxwell suffered serious leg injuries. He was transported by helicopter to Carle Hospital in Urbana.
• A Sheldon man—63-year-old Donald Webb—faces a charge of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child. Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police arrested Webb on a county warrant Tuesday. The alleged victim is a 10-year-old granddaughter of a woman who was living with Webb in Sheldon.
• Gilman Police arrested 42-year-old Sharon Weakly of Gilman Tuesday. She’s charged with Failing to Appear on a charge of Tampering with Anhydrous Ammonia.
• 25-year-old Chris Walwer of Watseka and 29-year-old David Fowler of Milford were arrested by Iroquois County sheriff’s police for Failing to Appear. Walwer’s charge involved Manufacturing or Delivery of Cannabis. Fowler’s rap is for Unlawful Possession of METH.
• A teenager charged as a juvenile has been acquitted of weapons possession charges in connection with the August 28th gun incident at Pontiac High School. A judge, during a jevenile hearing in Livingston County, ruled the evidence did not prove the youth ever handled one of the six handguns that prosecutors said were brought to the school by another student. Two other students face felony weapons possession charges in adult court.
• In Sports—the Cubs NL Central lead was trimmed to 2 games last night after a loss to Florida. Milwaukee was a winner over St. Louis.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA….since 1961

WGFA’s ILLIANA NEWS NOTES FOR Tuesday, September 25, 2007 >

WATSEKA SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES NEW BUDGET; MEMBERS PLAN TO PURSUE GOALS…… SURVEY MAY ASK C-I HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT VOTERS ABOUT THE DISTRICT’s FUTURE……. BENTON COUNTY, IN TEACHERS OFFER NEW CONTRACT PROPOSAL…….IROQUOIS Crime Stoppers SEEK HELP…….

SHOWERS AND T-STORMS MAY PRODUCE DAMAGING WINDS AND HAIL TODAY. EXPECTED HIGH NEAR 82. MORE DAMAGING WINDS AND T-STORMS OVERNIGHT IN ILLIANA. WEATHER DATA IS AVAILABLE AT wgfaradio.com

–Area news notes also available on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• The Watseka Unit Nine School Board last night OK’d Its FY 2008 budget. It’s anticipated two the district’s three major funds will show positive financial balances during the 07-08 school year. The Education and Transportation Funds will both bein the black, while the Operations and Maintenance Fund will have a deficit. The deficit, the board reports, is due to the recent purchase of the bus facility for $420,000–paid for out of the 07-08 budget.
• The Unit Nine board also approved educations goals, including having the administration and staff thoroughly examining the current elementary reading instructional program and implementing changes, as needed, to improve student reading performance. The administration and board of education will also begin planning for a new school building with cutting edge learning environment spaces for public secondary students and adult learners.
• The Crescent-Iroquois High School district may be asking voters for input on the future of the small Iroquois County district. A school survey would ask citizens what the school board should explore in order to deal with financial matters. The community has tough questions to answer. Options already discussed included deactivating the high school, consolidation, and annexation. Superintendent James Mann said it’s important to get public input.
• The Benton Community School Corporation in Indiana and its teachers could be a step closer to a new contract. Teachers asked the Board of Education to meet with BEA reps again. A meeting could happen yet this week. Teachers salaries, insurance costs and numbers of teacher aides are BEA concerns. Teachers in Benton Community School Corporation are working their second school year without a new contract.
• A 28-classroom addition at Manteno High School has students excited about their new space. Many believe it’ll improve the learning environment. New classrooms and state-of-the-art technology is improving concentration and hopefully leading to improved learning results.
• Iroquois County Crime Stoppers is asking for help in solving two cases now under investigation by area police. A pickup truck was heavily damaged while parked in a pasture in mid-September. And an ATM machine was broken into and robbed in Chebanse during the overnight hours September 19th. Anyone with info is asked to call 815-43-CRIME.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

WEEKEND REVIEW. BUSY FOR AREA POLICE…… LIVINGSTON COUNTY MAN DIES IN ACCIDENT……. DEADLY BAR FIGHT IN LaSALLE…… PIPER CITY MAN FACES CHARGE OF CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE…… GRANT GIVES POLICE NEW EQUIPMENT……. These are some of the Illiana News Notes on WGFA for Monday, September 24, 2007 >

Autumn has arrived, but it seems more like summer. Mostly sunny today with a high near 88. Record highs set Sunday (93 in Springfield). Chance of showers and T-storms tonight and Tuesday.

–Farm Credit Services Meals-in-the-Field warapped up last Friday at the Jerry Scott farm southeast of Wellington. Area farmers urged to stress safety as the harvest continues.–

• 42-year-old Wilfredo Pantoja of Cabery died Saturday night in a one-vehicle accident on Illinois Route 115 south of Kankakee. State police report he was driving a pickup truck south of County Road 7000-South when he lost control. The truck ran into a ditch, hit a guard rail and went airborne. The truck then hit a bridge abutment, overturned and caught fire. Pantoja was trapped inside and died at the scene.
• A LaSalle County man is charged with aggravated battery from a bar fight that turned deadly over the weekend. 23-year-old Bryan Tomaseski was arrested at his home. Police allege he was involved in the scuffle the night before at a downtown tavern. Police found 25-year-old Andrew Sibley of Utica unconscious on the sidewalk from what appeared to be a head injury. Sibley was pronounced dead at a Peoria Hospital.
• A Piper City man, 36-year-old Jimmy Craig, was arrestd Friday night for aggravated crimincal sexual abuse. The arrest came after authorities completed an investigation of an offense that occurred in July, but was just recently reported to police. Police said Craig cooperated and made a full written confession.
• Iroquois County sheriff’s police and Illinois state police made several DUI arrests from Friday night and Saturday traffic stops.
• Over $1.6 million dollars in federal grant money is going toward technology upgrades for police cars. Governor Rod Blagojevich Friday announced the new computers will let officers access criminal records during routine traffic stops. The money will be doled out to 166 police departments in 22 northern Illinois counties.
• The calendar says it’s Fall, but it feels like summer yet. And soon it may not look like Fall either. Experts say the June-like weather this late in September could dull the fall colors.
• In Sports—-The Bears fell to Dallas 34-10 last night at Soldier Field. The Cubs magic number for clinching the NL Central is four after an 8-0 win over Pittsburgh Sunday in Chicago.
• –More area news on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

94.1 FM, WGFA —- since 1961

WGFA Coverage of Dralle’s Game of the Week this Friday will take our sports team. Tri Point is at Watseka and we’ll have updates from the Iroquois West Raiders game at Momence… Join WGFA Sports for the action this Friday night with on Illiana’s Choice for the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and Today dedicated to local sports all season long. 94 Point 1 WGFA!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st, 2007 NEWS NOTES ON WGFA >

Governor Blagojevich loses his fight with the Illinois House….. No announcement yet from Congressman Weller…… woman killed in crash identified by coroner……. father and son arrested in school disturbance at WCHS……. Basset Waddle at Dwight……. Health officials report bird found positive for West Nile virus…… High school football agenda…….

MOSTLY SUNNY TODAY WITH A HIGH NEAR 91. sOUTHERLY WINDS AT 10 MPH. PREP FOOTBALL WEATHER OUTLOOK: Low near 63 tonight with winds at 10 mph from the south. SUNNY SATURDAY and SUNDAY WITH HIGHS IN THE MID 80s.

– FARM CREDIT SERVICE’s MEALS-IN-THE-FIELD WRAPS UP TODAY. A NOON HOUR VISIT WITH JERRY SCOTT OF WELLINGTON on 94.1 FM. –

• Local health officials report a postive test result on a bluejay when tested for West Nile virus. Terry Eimen, Environmental Health Coordinator for the Ford-Iroquois Department confirmed the bird found last Thursday in Cissna Park tested positive. He said precautions should be taken by citizens to protect against West Nile. Get rid of standing water and fill in areas of your yard where water can stands. Keep gutters free of leaves and debris.
• Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich finally had his day in court in his second lawsuit this legislative session. And he lost. A Springfield judge has dismissed the Governor’s lawsuit against House Clerk Mark Mahoney. The Governor sued Mahoney because the Clerk’s office didn’t immediately act on the Governor’s budget vetoes. Mahoney acted this week, so the judge ruled the case is “moot” and he’s dismissed it. The judge called the episode an embarassing “Hatfield and McCoy atmosphere.”
• Voters in Illinois and capitol watchers in Washington, DC will have to wait awhile yet for word on whether Illinois Congressman Jerry Weller will make another run or retire. The Illinois Republican has come under fire for questions about his land deals in South America, his wife’s finances and a subpoena in the Duke Cunningham case. There’e been reports Weller is stepping down, but no word yet.
• A 33-year-old Bonfield woman was identified as the victim killed in a colission between a car and a semi tractor-trailer. Dana Lane was a back-seat passenger in the car rear-ended by a semi on Route 17 between Momence and Grant Park. It happened Wednesday afternoon. Three others in the car, including the driver, were seriously injured. The truck driver was charged by state police for Failure to Reduce Speed.
• A father and son face charges following a disagreement with school officials at Watseka High School. 17-year-old Jerry Pintelon had been questioned by school administrators about an un-named issue and left the building upset. Watseka Police report the student returned to school with his father–57-year-old Thomas Pintelon–who also became unruly with school officials. Both Pintelon’s are charged with Aggravated Assault. The elder was also arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Trespass to Land. They were released on bond.
• Sports on WGFA TONIGHT— Watseka visits Momence, Iroquois West hosts St. Joe-Ogden on 94.1 FM. Other games: Milford at Westville, Central hosts St. Thomas More, Herscher at Reed Custer, PBL at Tri-Point, Prarie Central hosts University High, GCMS at El Paso-Gridley, Kankakee hosts Crete-Monee, B-B at Lincoln-Way, Mac is at Fenwick Saturday.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM

The Waddle & The Bash are held the third full weekend in September in Dwight, Illinois. These are two days of fun, friends and fundraising to help our favorite four-legged friends. The two day event help GABR raise money to help Basset Hounds that come into rescue. It costs, on an average, $175 in excess of the adoption fee for every dog rescued. Our very special guest for the weekend will be Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald of Animal Planet’s “Emergency Vets”. He will help make our 10th Waddle a very special event.

http://www.bassetrescue.org/waddle.event.htm