08-03-2012

 

ONE FATALITY AND AROUND THREE DOZEN INJURED IN BUS ACCIDENT

The woman killed yesterday when a double decker bus slammed into a concrete bridge support was a student at the University of Missouri.  According to Illinois State Police, 24-year old Aditi Avhad was sitting on the second level of the Megabus, directly above the driver.  She died when an apparent blown-out tire sent the bus crashing into the support pillar on I-55 near Litchfield yesterday afternoon around 1:22. Thirty ambulances, five helicopters, and seven different fire departments responded.  The charter bus was southbound on I-55 around mile post 57 near Litchfield. 

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MOVE THROUGH AREA THURSDAY EVENING

Showers and thunderstorms moved through the area Thursday evening and into the night.  Here are the rain totals for Greenville as recorded at 6:00 o’clock this morning.  88 hundredths of an inch were measured at the Sewer Plant.  One inch was recorded at the station on Sixth Street and nine tenths of an inch at Idler Lane and Rt. 140.  Here at the WGEL Studios in downtown Greenville, we recorded 1.3 inches and Mike said he had 1.7 inches at his home in Coffeen.

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AFHM TO RECEIVE HONOR AT STATE FAIR FOR AGRI-TOURISM

The American Farm Heritage Museum will be honored this year at the Illinois State Fair for its efforts in agritourism.  President of the American Farm Heritage Museum Board of Directors Ollie Schaefer said they are very excited about the whole thing.  They knew the museum was drawing crowds which were filling motels, restaurants, and service stations in town.  They are excited that so many people are interested in coming by and visiting the museum.  At the recent Car Show, they had cars from as far away as Massachusetts.  This award is validation they are doing something right.  Ollie said it was great to have the state acknowledging the American Farm Heritage Museum.

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96 PERCENT OF ILLINOIS DECLARED NATURAL DISASTER

The USDA recently announced an additional 50 counties in Illinois have been designated disaster areas and are now eligible for low-interest loans and haying and grazing.  98 of the 102 counties in Illinois are on this list including Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Montgomery, and Madison counties.  We spoke with Ron Marshall at the Bond County Farm Bureau about what this will mean for area farmers. Ron said this designation allows emergency haying and grazing, after farmers receive permission from their local FSA office.  There have been several rule changes recently and Ron encouraged farmers to contact their FSA office for more information on these changes and how they will affect them.  Low-interest loans will now be available to area producers.  96% of Illinois counties have been designated disaster areas.  For more information, contact your local FSA office.  In Bond County, the number is 664-3590, ext 2.

BOND COUNTY FAIR FRIDAY

The Bond County Fair continues today at the Bond County Fairgrounds in Greenville with the beef show beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Come see all brands of tractors, equipment, trucks, and more at the Antique Farm Machinery Expo from noon - 8:00 p.m.  The sheep show starts at 6:00 p.m. and the carnival also opens at 6:00 with tickets available for $2.00 each.  At 7:00 p.m., the Western Horse Speed Warm-Up Show begins as well as Morgan’s Merry Makers Square Dancers.  The popular Lawn Mower Derby and Figure 8 Race starts at 7:30.  Come on out to the Bond County Fair for an evening full of fun for the whole family.

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MULBERRY GROVE FIRE DISTRICT ANNEXATION REFERENDUM ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

As reported earlier this week on WGEL, there was a hearing recently at the Bond County Courthouse concerning annexation of property in Fayette County into the Mulberry Grove Fire District.  Judge John Knight signed the order which places the referendum on the November ballot.  Voters in Shafter, Bear Grove, and Seminary Townships in Fayette County will have the opportunity to vote on the issue.