Greenville Illinois News WGEL Daily

12-24-2007

2 CAR ACCIDENT RESULTS IN SERIOUS INJURIES NEAR DONNELLSON

A two-car accident near Donnellson resulted in serious injuries for two people. According to the Illinois State Police Seth Balla, of Donnellson, was traveling southbound on Illinois Route 127 in a 94 Ford Escort and tried to turn left onto Bear Creek. Balla allegedly failed to yield when crossing oncoming traffic and struck the 2002 Chevy Cavalier driven by Kalisi Walsh of Coffeen. Both sustained serious injuries, and both were transported to Hillsboro Area Hospital where their condition is unkown at news time. Balla is charged with alleged failure to yield while turning left.

SCHOOL BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS

At last weeks Bond County Unit 2 Board of Education meeting Laura Weber, a representative of Honeywell Energy Services updated the board on her companies recommendations for projects they believe to be necessary to improve Greenville school buildings. The majority of the recommended items will be done at the high school. With other work recommended at Sorento, Pocahontas and Greenville Elementary school.

CRACK DOWN ON IMPAIRED DRIVERS

December is Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention month and both local and state police have received funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation to conduct hundreds of roadside safety checks and saturation patrols to crack down on impaired drivers over the holidays. The message that law enforcement wants made abundantly clear is “You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”

Last December there were 32 alcohol related fatalities in Illinois. As of December 17^th, the state is on a pace to set a new low for traffic fatalities since 1924.

State officials recommend these steps to keep drunk drivers off the roads:

Plan a safe way home before parties begin and designate a sober driver.
If you are impaired, call a taxi, a sober friend, or use public transportation.
If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911.
And if you see someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements.

FREE FLU VACCINES

'Tis the season for sneezing, but the Bond County Health department can help. The Health department has a limited amount of free flu vaccines available. Anyone can qualify to receive a free vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you want to make an appointment for a flu-shot call the Health Department at 664-1442.

CANTON ETHANOL PLANT GOES BOTTOM UP

A j udge will now decide what to do with an almost finished ethanol plant in Canton Illinois that owes millions to contractors and banks. Financial troubles surfaced this month, with 30-million-dollars in liens, and a wave of firings or resignations. Just this week the state stepped-in and seized six-million-dollars in grain and suspended the plant's license. Finishing the plant may end up costing more than it's worth. What was supposed to be a 94-million-dollar plant now looks like it may be a 155-million dollar plant when its finished. But no matter the final cost, the bankruptcy filing means farmers and investors who put money into the plant won't be getting their money back.

Illinois FINALLY OPENS WOODLAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM

If you want a tax break on your woods or hunting ground, you've got just a few weeks to get things straightened out with the state. Illinois has finally opened the Conservation Stewardship Program, which gives land owners a tax break for not disturbing wooded areas for a decade. But State Senator John Sullivan says you need to get signed-up by the end of the year.

Sullivan says as long as you're on the list you'll get credit for beating the deadline. Officials with the Illinois Department of Revenue say they don't want anyone to be caught, or confused. They're saying the sooner you enroll, the better. The information, and application is online at DNR's website.

MADISON COUNTY MAN IMPRISONED FOR CREDIT UNION ROBBERY

On Tuesday, December 17^thClarence Thomas, a 46-year-old man from Madison County was sentenced to 12 years in prison, 5 years of supervised release, and $26,802 in restitution payable to the Granite City Steel Federal Credit Union. Thomas was convicted in September of one count of aggravated robbery of a credit union and one count of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Three co-defends previously pled guilty and have been sentenced. A fourth defendant has been convicted on related charges and is still awaiting sentencing.

sybert

OBITUARIES

SELDON L. GAFFNER

Seldon L. Gaffner, age 71, of Greenville, passed away Friday, December 21st, at Greenville Regional Hospital. In keeping with Seldon's wishes, there will be cremation with no memorial services. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Bond County Senior Citizen's Center or Greenville Regional Hospital.

MICHELLE LANGEL FRITH

Michelle Langel Frith, age 39, of Pocahontas, passed away Saturday, December 22^nd at Barnes-Jewish-Christian Hospital in St. Louis. Funeral services for 39 year-old Michelle Langel Frith will be Thursday, at 10:00 am at the First Christian Church in Greenville. Interment will follow in Brown Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 - 8:00 PM Wednesday at the church. For those who desire, memorials are suggested to the Jeremy's College Fund, Brown Cemetery, Ovarian Cancer Research or the First Christian Church in Greenville.

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