WINTER STORM CAUSES MANY SLIP AND SLIDE ACCIDENTS
The Illinois State Police report that I-70 is a sheet of ice for several miles east of Interstate 55. ISP media liaison office Ralph Timmons says there are two jackknifed semi’s and numerous crashes, some with injuries, on that stretch of I-70 15 miles east of I-55. If you can avoid that area of the interstate it’s advisable to take another route, if you must drive there use extreme caution.
Bond County Sheriff's Officers and Greenville Police worked several accidents due to the snow-covered roads.
Bond County Deputies responded to an accident with injuries on I-70 at the 38 mile-marker at 9:35 a.m. Thursday. Georgiana DeForge, of Rogers, MN was eastbound when her 1996 Honda Accord slid out of control and struck the rear of a semi-truck. Pocahontas EMS took DeForge to Greenville Regional Hospital for treatment.
AT 10:25 a.m., Bond County Officers worked another accident on I-70 at the 50 mile-marker. Judith Handrich, of Waterloo, IL was eastbound when her 1995 Toyota slid off the road and down an embankment, striking a tree. Bond County EMS took Handrich to Greenville Regional Hospital for treatment.
County Deputies responded to a non-injury accident on I-70 and two non-injury accidents on Rt. 40, one near Royal Lake and the other south of Greenville.
Greenville Police worked seven non-injury accidents.
Blowing snow from the high winds will cause headaches especially on open country roads. The temperatures are expected to rise a little by the end of the week, and then have highs in the low 30’s by Monday and Tuesday.
DEPT. OF AGING ASSIST WITH NEW LAW
As of January 1, a new law takes effect that will beef up the state’s system to locate elderly people who have gone missing in Illinois. The Endangered Missing Person Advisory Program will have police agencies send out alerts when senior citizens or high-risk adults with disabilities go missing. It will provide a regional system that will allow for the rapid transfer of information regarding a missing person who is believed to be a high-risk missing person. The Illinois Department of Aging, in coordination with the Illinois State Police, will develop and implement a community outreach program to promote awareness. The new law will improve coordination to help locate missing seniors before they meet with harm.
YOU CAN STILL REDEEM THOSE GIFT CARDS
Illinois residents who received gift cards previous holiday seasons may be able to redeem them for cash once the gift cards expire. The Illinois State Treasurer's office is holding more than $5 million dollars in unused gift card balances for Illinois residents. According to state law, gift cards cannot expire for five years. According to Treasurer Alex Giannoulis, even when gift cards expire, consumers are entitled to the monetary value of the gift card and can recover their money from the state. To receive a refund, the purchaser or recipient must file a claim with the Illinois Treasurer's office. To search for a refund, go to the website www.cashdash.net or call 866-458-7327.
