COLD FRONT AND RAIN ON THE WAY
Hot temperatures and dry conditions have been present for weeks throughout much of Illinois. According to Meteorologist Melissa Byrd at the National Weather Service Office in St. Louis, a much-needed break is on the way.
Melissa told WGEL a cold front will begin to move through the area Saturday night and into Sunday. We will see chances of showers and thunderstorms beginning Sunday and continuing through Monday. By Monday, we will see highs only in the mid to upper 80’s. Melissa said at this time, they are unable to determine exactly how much rain the area will get.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN DOWNTOWN GREENVILLE
Construction crews were hard at work Thursday, in the 100 degree heat in downtown Greenville, repaving Route 127 next to the courthouse. Several roads were closed off due to the construction. These lane closures are necessary for pavement patching, milling, and resurfacing. It is estimated the project will be completed by Friday, October 12.
ACCIDENT ON I-70 DEMOLISHES SIGN AND REROUTES TRAFFIC
Tuesday, July 3, at 1:35 a.m., Illinois State Police received a report of an accident in the westbound lane of Interstate 70 near the Rt. 143 exit. According to the Illinois State Police, three vehicles were involved: two semi trailers, and one tanker which was hauling isoprophenol, a flammable liquid. Traffic was routed off of the interstate at the Pocahontas exit. All three vehicles were damaged but there were no injuries. The only casualty of the crash was the Highland exit sign, which was severely damaged.
MULTI VEHICLE ACCIDENT CAUSES SERIOUS INJURIES
Illinois State Police troopers responded Wednesday, at 9:22 a.m., to the scene of a multi-vehicle accident on US Rt. 50, just west of Linden Grove Road between Aviston and Breese. According to the accident report, Zephanie L. Smith, age 40, of East St. Louis, and Kenneth R. Leverette, age 50, of O’Fallon, were westbound on Route 50 on their motorcycles. Smith was driving behind Leverette when they both attempted to pass another westbound vehicle. They did not have enough time to safely pass without risking striking 59 year-old Donald R. Brawley, of Vincennes, Indiana, in a Hyundai Santa Fe.
Brawley swerved over to the right shoulder and successfully avoided a collision. Leverette attempted to slow his motorcycle but Smith was following too closely and was unable to avoid a collision. Both Smith and Leverette were ejected from their motorcycles and neither was wearing a helmet. Smith was arched to St. Louis University Hospital with serious injuries. An ambulance took Leverette to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese to treat serious, but not life-threatening injuries. Brawley was unharmed in the crash. Both Smith and Leverette were cited for alleged lack of insurance, improper overtaking of a vehicle, and not having their motorcycle driver’s license classification.
BOND COUNTY BOARD CONSIDERING HELPING FAYCO WITH RECYCLING MONEY
The Bond County Board met Tuesday night at the courthouse. One of the items discussed was the possibility of using money from the recycling fund to help FAYCO purchase a baler at their new recycling facility in Vandalia. Board member Jack Langel spoke about the new facility FAYCO recently purchased and is developing into a new recycling processing and collection center. The board spoke in support of the idea but wanted to check and make sure the money may be used for equipment that will not be used in Bond County. FAYCO does serve Bond County but the facility is in Vandalia. The recycling fund contains the remaining money collected from tipping fees at the landfill before it closed.
The board announced a testing day for anyone wishing to serve on the Board of Review will be coming up in August. Recently the board voted to require new members of the Board of Review to pass an additional test before being appointed. The testing day will be late in August and is open to anyone, however, it is required the person appointed be a Democrat. Traditionally the county party chairman submits a request for who will fill that position for the county board’s approval. More information on the test may be picked up at the Supervisor of Assessments office at the courthouse annex.
