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