8-31-2007

LAST WEEKS STORM LEAVES DAMAGE BEHIND IN CLINTON COUNTY

 

It's been almost a week since severe storms rolled through the area last Friday.  Residents in Bond County saw spots of heavy rain and high wind gusts, but the storm left some damage behind in parts of Clinton County.  According to the National Weather Service, 1-inch hail was reported in Aviston, with wind gusts of 50 mph.  Several trees and the sides of buildings were damaged due to the wind.  At Hidden Lake Winery, one of the damaged trees fell onto a car.  City workers had to quickly clean up the mess at the winery, so that the festival could get underway Saturday.

 

The National Weather Service also reported trees blown down in various areas including Breese and Jamestown.  The Clinton County Sheriff's Department reported that their ESDA building was damaged severely by the storm and will have to be taken down.  The storm had also blown over about a dozen sailboats at the Carlyle Sailing Association Harbor. Many of the storm reports were received over the weekend, after residents had time to go out and survey various damage.

---

LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE OUT IN FULL FORCE TODAY

Illinois State Troopers will again be out in full force today in another enforcement aimed at increasing safety and reducing fatalities over the Labor Day holiday.  The "Stay Alive on the I's" begins today at 2PM and continues through midnight.  During that time, all Illinois interstates will be saturated with Troopers placed every 10 miles, along interstate corridors.

 

According to Illinois State Police Director Larry Trent, the goal of the enforcement is to reduce the numbers of crashes and prevent injuries and fatalities.  In fact, the idea came from the Memorial Day, "Stay Alive on I-55", when no fatalities were reported on I-55 during that time.  Some of the violations that troopers will be looking for include speeding, following too closely, improper lane usage, DUI and no seatbelts.

---

TOURISM COMMITTEE TALKS ABOUT FORMING A LINCOLN CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

 

The Greenville Tourism Committee met last week and voted to give the requested amount of $620 to Paws in the Park.  Committee members then voted to purchase a membership in the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association for the three current hotels, in hopes of getting the publication into rest stops along I-70. The committee is looking at ways of how to use their money to increase overnight stays. Currently most of the funding is going to local festivals that are nice for regional visitors, but none with the exception of the Farm Heritage Days and AGAPE that promote overnight stays. 

 

The Tourism Committee also had a lengthy discussion concerning forming committees to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's speach in Greenville in September of 2008, and for the 200th anniversary's of Lincoln's birthday in February of 2009.

SIGNS DAMAGED IN POCAHONTAS

 

Sometime during the evening hours Tuesday, or the early morning hours Wednesday, someone used spray paint to damage the "Welcome to Pocahontas" sign at the north village limits and a large park rules sign, in Pocahontas.

 

The bond County Sheriff's Department and the Pocahontas Police Department are investigating.  Anyone having information concerning the incident is asked to contact the Bond County Sheriff's Department at 664-2151 or the Pocahontas Police Department at 669-2431.  A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the damage.

---

 

OFFICES CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY

 

Labor Day is Monday, September 3^rd.  Offices closed for business on Monday include all local schools, banks, City of Greenville offices, Bond County and Courthouse offices, the Greenville Public Library and the Greenville Post Office.

 

The Greenville Department of Motor Vehicles will be closed Saturday, September 1st, in recognition of Labor Day, since they are normally closed on Monday.  They will resume regular business hours on Tuesday.

---

TUNE INTO WGEL FOR...

CASH CALL/SECRET WORD

You could be a winner of the WGEL Cash Call and Secret Word.  We announce the Cash Call total each weekday morning between 6 and 9am.  The WGEL Secret Word comes your way weekdays between 11am and 3pm.  Then later in the day, we’ll make a random phone call…Monday through Thursday we pick a name from an area phone book…and on Fridays we call from our WGEL Registration Book.  The WGEL Cash Call and Secret Word…easy ways to win from your friends at WGEL.

---