The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating the cause of an apartment fire yesterday evening in Mendota. The Mendota Fire Department says crews were called out to the 200 block of Sandra Avenue just before 7pm last night. Authorities say the fire destroyed the roof of the four-unit apartment building. Seven different fire departments were called to the scene including Mendota, Peru, LaSalle, and Utica.
Storm Prediction Center
The Storm Prediction Center is calling for a possible severe weather outbreak in our area this afternoon. Officials say many ingredients are in place for isolated supercell storms that could produce large hail, damaging winds, and even isolated tornadoes. Meteorologists say the combination of a two upper level low systems with a strong jet stream and gulf moisture will fuel potential supercell storms. Temperatures this afternoon will also be reaching into the middle 80s.
Contractor Bids Love’s Travel Stop
Contractor bids are due today in Oglesby for the future Love’s Travel Stop. According to Mayor Don Finley, contractors had up until today to turn in their bids for construction of the new truck stop. The city council approved the construction for the truck stop back in March. Finley says the truck stop will be located just west of Interstate 39, south of Walnut Road. It will include a Hardee’s restaurant and is expected to add sixty jobs to the city. The plan still calls for the truck stop to be open by Thanksgiving.
Applebee’s In Peru
The Applebee's in Peru is not closing after all. Earlier this month, Applebee’s Illinois filed for bankruptcy, and announced that it would be closing multiple locations throughout Illinois. Once this was announced, a concern arouse that the Peru in Applebee’s on 36th street would be closing. According to Dan Smith, from Applebee’s Communications, the Peru location is not one of the eight locations that will be closing. Although due to the fact that Applebee’s is a franchised chain, there is a chance that more locations could close before the end of the year.
Disaster Recover Center
A Disaster Recovery Center has is now open to those resident effect by last month’s flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says the center allows residents of LaSalle County to meet face-to-face with disaster recovery specialists, officials said today. The center is located at the Marseilles Fire Department and is open 9 am to 7 pm, seven days a week. FEMA says services include help with applying for disaster assistance and providing information on other disaster programs available. Residents must apply with FEMA even if they already provided damage information to local officials and other agencies or organizations.
Lawn Mowing Season
With lawn mowing season in full swing, Streator City Officials have a warning for homeowners. At last week’s City Council Meeting, Councilman Bruce Hart warned against any resident pushing grass clippings from mowing the lawn into the streets. Harts says it is irresponsible and anyone caught will be given a citation by the city.
Con Man
Police in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge have a sneaking suspicion that a man arrested on theft charges in March may have scammed dozens more people out of artwork, sports memorabilia, cars and other items. Authorities believe David Ray Wooten of Chicago may have scammed more than 100 victims in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Missouri. He's in custody in the Cook County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.
Amtrak Train
An Amtrak train departing from New Orleans derailed near Chicago's Union Station. Amtrak spokeswoman Christina Leeds says no one was injured in yesterday's derailment. Leeds says the roughly 200 passengers on board the train were transferred to buses and taken to Union Station.
Conman
Governor Pat Quinn and other Democratic leaders are urging lawmakers to ban high-capacity ammunition magazines. Senate President John Cullerton and state Senator Dan Kotowski joined Quinn at a news conference yesterday with parents of children killed last December in a Connecticut school. Kotowski introduced legislation last week that would ban the sale, delivery and possession of magazines that take more than 10 rounds.
