MULBERRY GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENT BRUSH TRUCK HIT ON I-70
Mulberry Grove Firefighters were called Thursday, after 4:00 p.m., to assist with traffic control at a single car accident on I-70, at the 54 mile marker in the eastbound lanes. According to Mulberry Grove Fire Chief Dwight Volkmar, the Mulberry Grove brush truck was about half a mile west of the accident scene on the left shoulder of the interstate, with two firefighters standing behind the truck directing traffic to the right. Dwight said at about 5:00 o’clock, two semi trucks approached, one in each lane, driving at approximately the speed limit. The semi in the left lane hit the brush truck, caving in the entire right side of the truck and bending the frame. The two firefighters were able to avoid being struck by the semi and were not injured. The semi truck that hit the brush truck veered to the right, striking the rear of the trailer of the semi in the right lane causing it to run off the road into the right ditch. The semi in the left lane stopped but allegedly then took off again, leaving the scene according to Volkmar. Damage to the brush truck is extensive and the truck will probably be considered totaled. Dwight advised drivers who need to drive in the rain to slow down and stay to the right side of the road.
TREE LIMBS DOWN, POWER OUTAGES, DOWNED POWER LINES CAUSED BY SEVERE WEATHER
The National Weather Service issued two different severe thunderstorm warnings for Bond County Thursday, around 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon. A thick line of thunderstorms moved southeast through the area dropping hail, heavy rain, and causing problems for drivers. Ameren IP reported power outages in Greenville, Highland, and Pocahontas. Sporadic power outages also hit the Bond County Area. Tree limbs were reported down on several local roads including Route 127, on Mill Hill, near Greenville Regional Hospital, Idler Lane, in Pleasant Mound, and throughout the area. Dudleyville Road was reportedly closed for about two hours due to downed trees. Power lines were reported down on Shoal Creek Road, Main Street in Greenville, in Keyesport, Mulberry Grove, and Pleasant Mound. No injuries have been reported.
The area received a fair amount of rain. Rain totals for Greenville show 2.5 inches at the Sewer Plant, 2.1 inches at the station on Sixth Street, and 2.25 inches at Idler Lane and Rt. 140. A listener in Keyesport reported three inches Thursday evening. Mike Greenwood reported seven tenths of an inch at his home in Coffeen.
OLYMPIC BABY PORTRAIT
A former Greenville resident recently submitted a photo of her daughter in an Olympic pose to the Today Show. Jennifer Potthast Reismeyer told WGEL she took her daughter’s 4 month-old photos and there was one photo that looked like she was swimming like Michael Phelps. The Olympics were going on at this time, so Jennifer posted it on her blog. Jennifer’s sister edited the photo so the baby looked like she was in the water. Jennifer submitted the photo to the Today Show. Representatives from the show contacted Jennifer asking for permission to use the photo. They had a segment on recreating historical photos and felt Jennifer’s photo fit the bill. Jennifer said their family is very excited and it feels like her daughter has already won a gold metal.
2012 BOND COUNTY CROP SURVEY RESULTS
The Bond County Crop Survey was Monday, August 13. WGEL Farm Reporter Joe Doll said the projected corn yield is an average of 29.7 bushels per acre. Numbers across the county varied from 0 to 170 bushels of corn per acre. Soybeans should average 19.85 bushels per acre with a range between 5-38 bushels per acre. Joe said the corn crop does not look good and he does not know how long the ears will stay on the stalks as they and the stalks are already brittle. Soybean pods start about 8-10 inches above the ground. If we get some more rain, soybean yields may increase another 3-5 bushels per acre.
GREENVILLE COMETS FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE GAME FRIDAY
The Varsity Comets football team will have their annual Blue White Scrimmage game Friday, August 17. Greenville High School Athletic Director Joe Alstat said the game will be at 7:00 p.m. at Don Stout Field. Admission is one food item to be donated to the food pantry. Some people still bring soap, which is also acceptable. The Comets will scrimmage for about an hour and a half. Come on out to the game, where WGEL will be handing out free key chains with the 2012-2013 Comets football schedule.
RODNEY DAVIS ON FARM BILL
Republican Rodney Davis stopped by the WGEL Studios Wednesday. Mr. Davis is running for the U.S. Congressional seat for the 13th district, which includes parts of Bond County. We asked Mt. Davis which issues stood out to him in this election.
Mr. Davis said they need to get a comprehensive farm bill passed. He said the lack of a comprehensive farm bill is a failure on behalf of Democrats and Republicans to address a major issue in the country. We are experiencing one of the worst droughts in our nation’s history and our farmers don’t have certainty in what their costs are going to be. People are tired of Democrats and Republicans not getting things done and the farm bill is one example of something not being properly addressed. Mr. Davis said he is looking forward to meeting the people of Bond County over the next few weeks leading up to election day.
