05-12-2010

STORMS KNOCK OUT POWER AND DROP OVER AN INCH OF RAIN

 

Severe thunderstorms moved through the WGEL listening area about 4:00 o’clock this morning with heavy rain and lots of lightning.  The storm dropped just over an inch of rain in Greenville.  Some areas to our west are reporting 2+ inches of rain.  Many Ameren IP customers lost power around 4:45 this morning.  1707 Ameren IP customers in Bond County were without power along with 1283 in Madison County. More than 700 customers in Greenville were without power for more than three hours this morning and the entire city of Pocahontas was without power for over 5 hours.  Over 1,000 Southwestern Electric customers, including those in Pocahontas, also lost power this morning starting around 4:02AM. According to SWEC the customers lost power from the same damage that brought down the Ameren customers. Most area customers had their power back by 10:02AM, but a few hundred were still without power in Bond County at news time.  No calls of serious damage were received by City and County Police, however downed tree limbs and down power lines are possible along with water over the road ways and flash flooding. 

 

SECURITY SYSTEM ALMOST DONE AND NEW JAYCEE BUILDING ABOUT TO START

 

The May Kingsbury Park District meeting was held recently. In the directors report Jerry Sauerwein told the board that Griffith Security systems have been working on site and should finish up with the security system at the pool and skateboard park this week. Sauerwein also said the work for the new concession building at Jaycee Park should start the week of May the 17^th.

 

Sauerwein brought a copy of the new rec brochure to show the board, and said the brochure goes out to the public on May 11^th. Baseball starts on June the 11^th, and the pool should open on schedule May 29th

 

The Park District is still actively seeking land for their Sports Complex project and is working on a final draft for the overall view of the complex and a rendering of what that complex could include and look like should be finished and shown to the public soon.

SHIMKUS RECEIVES U.S. CHAMBER AWARD

 

Congressman John Shimkus was recently presented the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Enterprise Award at an event hosted by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce in Mt. Vernon.  The Spirit of Enterprise Award is given to members of Congress who vote at least 70 percent of the time on key votes selected by the U.S. Chamber.  Fifteen House votes were considered to receive this year’s award.  Shimkus has a cumulative voting rating, over 13 years, of 89 percent with the Chamber.