07-27-2012

 

ACCIDENT ON I-70 CLAIMS THREE LIVES FROM MULBERRY GROVE

A traffic accident on I-70  near mile marker 48 claimed three lives Thursday, around 8:49 p.m.  According to the Illinois State Police, Suzette Lee, age 41, of Mulberry Grove, was eastbound when a witness said two deer entered the roadway.  Lee slowed her vehicle to a stop and was struck from behind by a Freightliner semi-truck driven by Dennis Nagle, age 40, of Union, Missouri.  Lee and her two passengers, 6 year-old Vivian Lee and 8 year-old Lillian Lee were all pronounced dead at the scene by the Bond County Coroner.  Nagle received minor injuries and was treated at Greenville Regional Hospital.    

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ADDITIONAL COUNTIES DESIGNATED DISASTER AREAS, MORE TO COME

22 additional counties have been declared federal disaster areas in Illinois.  In our area, this means Jersey, Madison, and Monroe Counties are now eligible for low-interest federal loans.  State-wide, 48 counties have been designated federal disaster areas.  The USDA is still assessing drought-related damages in 54 other counties.  Governor Quinn recently sent a letter to US Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack requesting all remaining Illinois counties be designated federal disaster areas.  Statewide precipitation has only been 13.54 inches this year, making it the second driest start to a year on record.

GREAT BANDS PLANNED FOR HERITAGE DAYS

The American Farm Heritage Museum’s Heritage Days are this weekend and they have a great lineup of bands and musicians to entertain you. Virgil Straeter said Friday, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., local musician Diana Starr will perform playing the baby grand piano.  From 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Glenda Morgan, from Greenville, will teach people how to square dance.  Saturday, the Bone Tones of Belleville will play from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m., the Nice and Easy band play dance & variety music,  and the Battle Creek Country Band will play from 5:00 - 8:00. Sunday, the variety dance band Variety Men will play from 9:00 a.m. - noon and the Christ Tally Trio from New Athens will entertain with blue grass music from noon - 3:00 p.m. Virgil thanks the local businesses who helped sponsor these bands.

WEST NILE VIRUS FOUND IN BOND COUNTY MOSQUITOES

According to the Bond County Health Department, Bond County had its first mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus.  Bond County Health Department Environmental Health Director Penny Dixon said mosquito testing showed West Nile Virus is in mosquitoes in the Bond County area but there are no cases of human infection at this time.  Human infection usually occurs approximately 17 days after the disease is detected in mosquitoes.  To avoid being infected, be sure to reduce your exposure to the insects by staying indoors or wearing bug spray whenever you must go outside.  Remove areas in and around your home where mosquitoes can breed, such as bird baths or any other standing water.  If you begin to feel symptoms such as a fever, nausea, or vomiting, contact your local physician.  For more information, call Penny at the Health Department at 664-1442, extension 135.

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GLOBE THEATER GOES DIGITAL

The Globe Theater in Greenville is going digital.  Dave Willey said they will be switching from film to all digital movies.  This will allow them to provide different content and have a much better image on the screen.  Dave said technology is moving forward all the time and by 2013 there will not be any film available.  The new system will be in use beginning Friday, July 27th.  For more information, call the theater at 664-4400.