8-15-2006 



HILLSBORO OFFICER SAVES INFANT

When Hillsboro police officer Tim Sheldon saw a runaway truck going backwards across Route 127 from a gas station parking lot, he didn’t know that his quick thinking was saving an infant from danger.  Sheldon was on patrol recently when he noticed what he thought was an unoccupied truck jump into neutral and roll towards a street full of traffic.  Sheldon turned on his lights and then positioned his squad car to block the truck.  The impact slowed the truck down allowing the Hillsboro officer to reach inside and turn the ignition off. 

It was then that he learned that the truck had an unseen passenger…a child around one year of age in a baby seat.  While the youngster had no idea that he had taken the joy ride of a lifetime, Hillsboro Police Chief Gary Satterlee told WGEL that it was definitely an example of his officer being “at the right place at the right time.”  Satterlee said he is looking into honoring Sheldon for his actions. 

CITY HAS FOUND BETTER WAY TO PATCH POT HOLES

The city of Greenville has found a better method to patch those pesky potholes.  At last week’s city council meeting, approval was given for the purchase of a Durapatcher which is a trailer-mounted patching machine.  According to City Manager Dave Willey, this method uses “hot patch” and replaces the old tar pot “cold patch.”  The price tag was $51,000 and delivery should be within 45 days. 

The city manager told WGEL that the street crew already has a head start on battling the pot holes.  Two employees have been designated each day for the last three weeks to repair the potholes with “cold patch.”  Once the Durapatcher arrives, it will still require two workers to operate.  The machinery comes with high recommendations from the cities of Wood River and Litchfield along with the Effingham IDOT yard. 

 



MONEY STOLEN FROM CAR WASH

Sometime overnight Sunday money was stolen from the automatic car wash stall at the Greenville Car Wash II on Harris Avenue.  Police say an unknown amount of quarters were taken.  Officers believe the thief was able to manipulate the machinery to gain access to the coins.

ROAD CLOSURE

The Bond County Highway Department is closing the Mulberry Grove Road between Pleasant Mound Avenue and Sixth Avenue from 7:30am until 10am on Wednesday (Aug 16) for road oiling. 


NEW STATE BILL WILL ALLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO ATTEND MEETINGS ELETRONICALLY

With the legislature sometimes a little behind in technology, a new bill in the works will make it easier for members to attend board meetings. Bond County States Attorney Chris Bauer said that most people in private enterprises attend meetings by teleconferences.  Until recently, that's not been allowed for public bodies to do.  A city council member or county board member could not participate in a meeting by teleconference.  They could talk and discuss issues, but they could not actually vote.  With the hopeful passage of Senate Bill 585 in August when the Governor is expected to sign it, board members will be able to attend meetings and vote via teleconference. 

Bauer said arguments made in support of the bill were that in the event of a natural disaster such as Louisiana experienced with Hurricane Katrina, governmental bodies need to meet and make emergency decisions.  He also said they need to make sure the meetings are open and notice has been given to the public and media about them. This bill will also allow board members new means of participating in meetings more regularly than they had in the past. 



TWO INJURED WHEN CAR IS STRUCK BY TRAIN

Two people were injured around 7PM Saturday when their car was struck by a train north of Keyesport.  The accident happened at a crossing on First Avenue. The train engineer told the Keyesport Fire Department that he was going around 30 miles an hour when the collision occurred.  The car bounced off the front of the train and overturned.  Both the driver and the passenger were out of the vehicle when emergency personnel arrived.  They were taken to Greenville Regional Hospital where 23-year-old Kathleen Bone was treated and released.  The Sheriff's Department confirmed to WGEL that 25-year-old Todd Bone was flown by helicopter to a St. Louis hospital where he was treated and subsequently released.  Both are from Vandalia. 

BARN FIRE DESTROYS STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

Six area fire departments responded to a barn fire Saturday morning at the Alan Mettler farm on Brown's Mill Avenue north of Old Ripley.  As reported earlier on WGEL, the fire destroyed the 60 x 40 barn and contents, which included straw, hay and farm equipment.  The fire was spotted by a passerby on bicycle who went to a neighboring home and called firefighters.  Members of the Pocahontas-Old Ripley, Greenville, Shoal Creek, New Douglas, Marine, and Grantfork departments all responded and were on the scene for nearly four hours.  Pocahontas-Old Ripley fire chief Kendall Brink told WGEL that the cause appears to have been electrical in nature.  No dollar loss has been given for the barn and the equipment.  Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to nearby buildings.

CLINE WRESTLING BENEFIT

The Illinois Wrestling Association will conduct a fundraiser for Peyton Cline on Saturday (Aug 19) at the Greenville VFW.  Doors open at 6pm with the first match at 8pm.  The night will feature WCW Star Ali Stevens, the Mississippi Mad Man, the IWA Angels and more.  This fundraiser will benefit Peyton Cline, a 10-year-old Greenville girl who is battling leukemia.  Tickets are $5 in advance at the Greenville VFW and $10 at the door.

Tune in Friday’s Mike and John Show as we’ll have pairs of tickets to giveaway for this special night of wrestling. 

OBITUARIES

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