12-25-2012

SNOW FALL IS POSSIBLE TONIGHT

It’s very possible that this Christmas may be a white one, or at least Christmas night.  The National Weather Service has issued blizzard and winter storm warnings in southern Illinois.  At news time Bond County was not included in any warnings, however Clinton and Fayette Counties were.  The heaviest snow is expected to fall around midnight and into Wednesday morning.  Anywhere from 2-5 inches is possible.  If the storms track a little further north that total could go up, if the storm tracks further to the south the total would go down.  Either way snow is very likely tonight and tomorrow morning. 

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FIRE CHIEF URGES CANDLE SAFETY

The holiday season is a time of joy and decorating for holiday festivities. It is also a time requiring extra safety and WGEL and the Greenville Fire Department remind you to be cautious as you decorate for the season.  Greenville Fire Chief Bill Johnston said this time of year many people like to have candles burning in their home.  They are beautiful to see and smell and add to any holiday gathering.  It is imperative that no candle be left burning while unattended.  Even new candles have the potential to start a fire if they are not monitored.  Bill said if you have trouble remembering to blow out candles before you leave the house, put a towel on the doorknob of your front door to remind you to blow out the candles.

 

CLASSES OFFERED AT GREENVILLE EDUCATION CENTER

The Kaskaskia College Office of Continuing Community Education is offering a Computer College Part I class and a Zumba Gold class at the Greenville Education Center starting in mid-January.  For more information about these classes, registration fees, and starting times, call 664-9394.

CARLYLE LAKE PROVIDING WATER TO MISSISSIPPI RIVER

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District began increasing releases from Carlyle Lake recently in support of safe navigation on the Mississippi River.  Water from the lake will help provide the depth necessary for river commerce to pass Thebes, Ill., where rock formations pose a risk to navigation.

Carlyle Lake is one of few corps reservoirs able to significantly capture water above its seasonal pool level to support navigation during the current drought. Mississippi Valley Division Commander Major General John Peabody authorized all the lakes on the Upper Mississippi River system to hold an additional ten percent above seasonal pool levels Oct. 17 in anticipation of historic low levels on the Middle Mississippi. Releases from Carlyle Lake began late Saturday, December 22 and the full extent of the releases is expected to reach Thebes by December 24. This will provide an additional six inches of depth in this critical reach of the river.