WGFA NEWS NOTES for Thursday, November 29, 2007 >

Transit vote fails, another special session called….. babysitter given supervision in abuse case….. woman escapes injury in Iroquois accident…. Zoning committee OK’s ethanol rezoning…..Watseka hires new Public Works Director……

Sunny but considerably colder today in Illiana. High near 40 after yesterday’s high of 51. Westerly winds today at 10-15.

–More area news on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• The City of Watseka has approved the hiring of a former alderman as the Director of Public Works. Marvin DeLahr’s hiring was OK’d on a 6-1 vote. DeLahr was a Ward 3 alderman but resigned a couple of weeks before named to the post which will pay him $77,900.
• Iroquois County’s Planning & Zoning Committee gave the green light for a rezoning variance for a proposed ethanol plant project. The matter new advances to the full county board. Global Renewable Energy is seeking direction to mobe forward with an ethanol plant west of Watseka along Route 24. Property owner and attorney Mike Dietchweiler has a lawsuit filed against the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals for that committee’s vote for approval. Dietchweiler says the proposal and application process does not comply with the county’s own ordinance for manufacturing zoning.
• Ford County Judge Steven Pacey sentenced a Paxton teenager to 24 months court supervision for battering a child she was babysitting. 17-year-old Stephanie Glad plead guilty in September to charges that she hit, dragged and grabbed the arm of a three-year-old in her care. The defense attorney, State’s Attorney Tony Lee and the Judge agreed, court supervision was the best punishment for Glad, who is a high school student and has never been in trouble before. The teen is also undergoing counseling.
• An Iroquois County woman was not injured when she rolled her vehicle in Chebanse Township. Kallie Frake was on 2900-N Road Tuesday when she failed to negotiate a curve. Sheriff’s police said no ticket was issued.

94.1 FM, WGFA —– since 1961

The Central Comets’ Austin Yohnka tallied 18 points to lead his club to a 59-52 win over Milford in high school basketball Tuesday. Central jumped out to 6-0 lead and held a 15-9 advantage after the opening quarter–in a game heard on 94.1 FM, WGFA. Matt Lemanager added 15 points for Central. Justin Garrelts scored 20 and Ryan Kunce 14 to lead Milford.

Watseka’s bench contributed to the Warriors 65-56 win over Bradley-Bourbonnais. Watseka was down 18 in the 3rd quarter. Warrior coach Barry Bauer said “we needed 9-10 players. It was a nice comeback.” Jake Hasselbring led Watseka with 21 points. Seth Woods added 12.

Other scores:

Armstrong-Potomac 43 CPCI 41

Lexington 68 Tri-Point 42

City Baptist 59 Grace baptist 34

PBL 56 Hoopeston Area 54

High School Girls’ B-Ball:

Donovan 51 Iroquois West 49 OT

Pontiac 39 St. Anne 18

CPCI 53 Kankakee Trinity 41

PBL 63 Tri-valley 60

Clifton Central 60 Dwight 54

WGFA NEWS FOR Wednesday, November 28, 2007 >

medical problem leads to traffic accident…. Livingston County fatality victim identified….. school break-in at Prarie Central….. K3 County indictments….. High school B-Ball results……

Illiana weather calls for a chance of rain this afternoon, but high near 50. Breezy southwest winds at 15-25 mph.

–More area news on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• The driver of a car may have suffered from some kind of medical emergency last night, leading to a single-car accident. 22-yr-old Clifford Mazinski of Kankakee experienced a medical setback, causing him to blackout while driving on Waldron Road, west of I-57. Police report the car ran through a ditch and a field before running into some trees. No serious injury was reported. Mazinski was treated at an area hospital.
• A Kankakee woman lost control of her car Monday crashing into a tree on Bourbonnais Street in Kankakee. Tiffany Booi told police she was adjusting her steering wheel when the car left the road. Booi and two children were treted at a local hospital. The injuries were not serious.
• Livingston County Coroner Mike Burke has identified the driver of a vehicle involved in a fatality Monday. 28-yr-old Adam Klehm of Pontiac was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Old Route 66 in Odell Township. The SUV crashed into a bridge overpass about 6:30 Monday evening. Klehm was the lone occupant in the vehicle.
• Police investigated a break-in at the Prarie Central junior high school building Monday. School officials reported several desks and files were ransacked. No word on what may have turned up missing. Entry to the building at Forest was gained by breaking a window.
• Several hundred tax assessment complaints filed in Vermilion County will find officials busy responding to the taxpayers. The Supervisor Assessments office was busy Monday. Taxpayers have filed complaints for more than a week. The complaints are in response to the quadrennial reassessment of property and new equalization factors.
• Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jamie Boyd reports the grand jury has indicted 715 individuals for felony crimes so far in 2007.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

WGFA NEWS FOR Tuesday, November 27, 2007 >

Crash kills driver in Livingston County…. Danville burglaries investigated…. Red Cross Bloodmobiles announced for Iroquois County…. Watseka Cops for Kids needs monetary help….. Donovan flushing hydrants…..

Sunny today in Illiana, high near 42. Northwest winds at 10-15, gusts may reach 30 mph.

–More area news on WGFA News Links.–

• The Village of Donovan is flushing fire hydrants this week. Mayor Ken Ward says the hydrants will be flushed during daytime hours. Residents may experience some rusty water but allowing the tap to run will clear that water in a short time.
• The Watseka Police Department has stopped the application process for the Cops for Kids program. Due to an overwhelming response of needy children signing up the luncheon and visit from Santa, organizers regretfully had to stop taking names. Reports of 200 needy children in Iroquois County have signed up. There’s still a need for monetary donations to help make Christmas brighters for less-fortunate children. Contact Watseka Police to pledge support.
• A car crash in Livingston County Monday night killed a driver. Coroner Mike Burke said an eastbound vehicle on 2200-N Road struck the east side of the bridge overpass north of Cayuga. No other vehicle was involved. An autopsy has been scheduled.
• December bloodmobiles are scheduled in Iroquois County. The Cissna Park American legion will host a blood drive December 12th from 1-7 pm. Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka is the site of a bloodmobile Tuesday, December 18th from 9 am ’til 4 pm. On Wednesday, December 19th the First United Methodist Church of Watseka is the host for the drive from Noon ’til 6 pm. Call the Red Cross office for appointments.
• A Red Cross Bloodmobile is also planned for Saturday, December 1 at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Aroma Park. The program runs from 11 am ’til 3 pm.
• Iroquois County’s Zoning Board of Appeals meets tonight. A 7 pm hearing considers the application of Todd Schneider, who’s looking for a rezoning from A-1 to Rural Homstead to build a new home in Onarga Township. The Zoning Board will also consider changes to the County’s existing Wind Tower Ordinance.

94.1 FM, WGFA — since 1961

ILLIANA NEWS NOTES ON WGFA for Monday, November 26, 2007 >

Bears win in overtime….. Watseka Christmas Parade winners….. KCC hosts Riverfront Public Info meeting…..

A mix of rain and sleet this morning in the forecast. Cloudy otherwise, with a high near 38. Winds becoming northwesterly this afternoon at 10-20 mph.

–More area news on WGFA News Links.–

• Sunday’s mix of rain and sleet caused an accidnt near Momence. Kankakee County Sheriff’s Police report four persons were treated at area hospitals. Tamika Whitfield of Momence lost control of her car on an icy stretch of roadway. She over-corrected and slid into a field. No serious injury was involved.
• Two robbers made off with cash, jewelry, a cell phone and pair of tennis shoes during an armed robbery Sunday on S. Chicago Avenue in Kankakee. Two victims told police they were approached by two men, one them displaying a gun.
• Witnesses identified a man who fired shots in Kankakee Sunday. Jose Mendez faces charges of reckless discharge of a firearm. Police report shots were fired in the 300-block of S. Gordon Avenue.
• Farmers Insurance, Shoaf Agency won the Best Use of Theme in Watseka’s annual Christmas Parade Friday evening. This year’s theme: “A Story Book Christmas.” Thirty-five entries were in the parade, which included the arrival of Snata and Mrs. Claus for the holiday shopping season.
• The proposed Riverfront Trail Project is the topic of discussion for Wednesday’s Public Information Meeting at KCC. The 5 pm will present info and exhibits about the project. The meeting is in the Art & Sciences Building, Gallery reception area.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

This week’s DSP of the Week has worked in the Cissna Park Dental office for 28 years. She has done everything from dental assisting to receptionist. Dr. Gorman and staff do not know what they would do without her. She has someone they can count on and WGFA would like to honor Bonnie Muench (pronounced Minch) as this week’s Direct Support Professional of the Week on WGFA.

WGFA NEWS NOTES FOR Tuesday, November 20, 2007 >

Referendum vote for I-West district….. # 9 OK’s levy……Eggleston guilty of 2nd degree Murder….. Lottery winner in Bourbonnais……

Patch fog early today, High near 66 with southwest winds at 10 mph. Occassional rain tonight and Wednesday.

– More area news on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• Efforts by the Iroquois West school board to move forward with improving its high school will find voters in the district facing a referendum question in February. The school board last night approved a ballot question for February 5th. Voters will be asked to increase the district’s Building Operations and Maintenance Fund from 62.5 cents to an even 75 cents per $100 assessed value. Voters will also be asked if the district should be allowed to set up an interest-bearing account to generate monies for either a new high school or to rehab the existing building. Sup’t Larry Eyre also plans to pursue grant monies.
• Watseka Unit #9 Superintendent Steve Bianchetta is proposing a 4.9% increase in the district levy. The estimated tax rate will be at 5.05; that’s down a bit from last year’s $5.08. Bianchetta told the school board the increase will actually be around three-percent because he estimates a little high to cover all the bases. The school board approved the tentative levy Monday night. The final levy is expected to be OK’d in December.
• Circuit Judge Clark Erickson has found Donnell Eggleston of Kankakee guilty of second-degree murder. Eggleston was accused of gunning down his former friend Quentin Hardrict in May of 2006. Erickson denied the state’s first-degree murder charge, instead going with the lesser crime. Eggleston had said he was acting in self-defense. The judge also ruled not guilty of attempted murder for the wounding of two other men, minutes before the fatal shooting of Hardrict. Eggleston will face sentencing January 4th. He faces a maximum penalty of of 80 years.
• One lucky winner in last Saturday’s Illinois Lotto drawing. And the winning ticket was sold at Circle K Shell on Main Street in Bourbonnais. The winner is yet to come forward. The winning numbers were: 4, 5, 8, 11, 20 and 32.

94.1 FM, WGFA —- since 1961

Every Tuesday Kristin will highlight a book for recommended reading. You can submit comments about the book and your favorite reads. Your submission might be next week’s featured book!

Kristin’s Recommended book for November 20, 2007:

Plane Insanity
by Elliott Hester

This is a great book to read if you are traveling for the holidays. Each chapter is a tale of hilarious happenings on airplanes, as told by flight attendants. If you like knowing the behind-the-scenes drama, you will love Plane Insanity.

Read more at www.planeinsanity.com

WGFA NEWS NOTES FOR Monday, November 19, 2007 >

Cullom bank robbery under investigation…. busy weekend police beat…. Travel expectations for T-Giving holiday…. Winter weather may be near….

Warmer temperatures today and Tuesday followed by rain and maybe snow by Thursday. Illiana weather today, Cloudy, high near 58. Southerly winds at 15 mph.

–More area news on WGFA News Links.–

• Livingston County Sheriff’s Police are continuing the search for a man who robbed the Vermilion Valley Bank at Cullom Saturday. The lone suspect was described as a white male in his late 20s. He was wearing dark colored clothing, gloves and a mask. He fled on foot from the scene just before noon. The state police and FBI have joined the local authorities in the investigation.
• Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police returned from two different jail facilities with men wanted here in Iroquois County. 33-year-old Darren Wright of Markham was wanted on an Iroquois County warrant for obstructing justice. Wright was returned from the Shawnee Correctional Center. 26-year-old Montrell Miller of Danville is charged with Possession of Cannabis. He’s jailed in Watseka after deputies returned from the Logan County jail.
• 21-year-old James Tungate of Cissna Park is charged with DUI, possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested Saturday by Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police.
• Gilman police arrested Richard Lamarr Saturday. The 17-year-old charged with possession of drug materials, unlawful consumption of alcohol and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Chebanse police report the arrest of 24-year-old Jeannie Keehn of Ashkum. She’s charged on an Iroquois County warrant with Driving on a Revoked license.
• Despite rising gas prices, prices as high as they’ve ever been this time of year, plenty of people are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving weekend.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

ILLIANA NEWS NOTES ON WGFA RADIO FOR Friday, November 16th >

* Arrest made in Kankakee Child Abuse case…. Road Rage results in arrest….$230,000 damage to Bourbonnais home following fire….Danville man dies in fire….. Paxton fire remains under investigation…. Coat Drive this weekend in Gilman…..

PARTLY SUNNY TODAY…HIGH NEAR 48. SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5-10 MPH. CLOUDY SATURDAY, HIGH NEAR 48. PARTLY SUNNY SUNDAY, HIGH AT 47.

–Area news on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• A Kankakee man is under arrest for the alleged abuse of his live-in girlfriend’s 11-month-old daughter. 27-yr-old Kyle Cranford is charged with aggrvated battery to a child. Kankakee Police Chief Mike Kincade said DCFS started the investigation after the child was taken to a hospital with severe bleeding to the brain. The child was in critical condition at a Chicago hospital.
• State Police say road rage led to the arrest of a Manteno man. 25-yr-old Justin Spilde is charged with reckles conduct. He allegedly threw an object at a victim’s car and tried to run her off the road. Police said a Bourbonnais resident called 9-1-1 as her offender followed her off I-57 into a manteno gas station lot. That’s where Spilde was arrested.
• A Chatsworth teenager faces charges after making threats to people while waving a gun. 17-yr-old Pedro Garcia Jr. was arrested by Livingston County Sheriff’s Police. Reports indicated Garcia was driving about town, threatening at least two persons while pointing a gun. A search warrant at garcia’s home revealed cannabis, cocaine and two guns.
• A Pontiac man was found NOT GUILTY of providing alcohol to minors. 47-yr-old Roy Mackinson faced 10 misdemeanor counts. A jury returned an acquittal on six counts. Mackinson had plead guilty to three of the charges in July.
• A Danville man died in a house fire. 62-yr-old Chester Pollitt was found in his home on Lamm Street Wednesday. The cause is under investigation. Vermilion County Coroner Peggy Johnson said an autopsy is scheduled.
• Damage was listed at $230,000 from a house fire in Bourbonnais. The State Fire Marshall is investigating what’s termed a “SUSPICOUS BLAZE” after investigators said firemen found heavy smoke coming from the main floor and fire on all levels of the two-story house. Reports indicated more than on point of origin. No one was injured.
• The cause of the Majestic Theatre fire in Paxton is still un-determined. But investigators say it does not appear to be suspicious. Tuesday’s fire destroyed the historic downtown building. Two displaced families from upstairs apartments are being assisted by the Red Cross.
• The I-West School District is conducting a Coat Drive Saturday. Those in need for the winter months can visit the Catholic Church Parish Hall on Secor Street from 9-11 am.

94.1 FM, WGFA