North Central Illinois Update

SPRINGFIELD — As warmer weather approaches, motorcycles are becoming a common sight. In an effort to advocate for a safe riding season, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police have joined forces to kick off the latest “Ride Smart” safety campaign, reminding

LEONORE – The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that they are investigating a fatal roll-over crash that occurred Sunday afternoon. In a press release, they say they were called to rural Leonore to investigate the incident that led to at least one death. More information is

MENDOTA – A belated event crowned the 2020 Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Queen Saturday night. Anna Bokus was selected for the honor of representing the city this summer after the Sweet Corn Festival was ultimately cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was sponsored by the

LASALLE – A truck driver has been ticketed after a 7 vehicle crash on Interstate 80 on Thursday that injured 4. Around 8 AM near the Illinois 251 interchange authorities say a tractor trailer driven by a Canadian man allegedly struck the rear of multiple vehicles who were stopped on the

SPRINGFIELD – A Mendota High School senior has been selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Diversified Crop Production – Placement. Jack Beetz is a member of the Mendota FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA. He was selected as the State Winner by a committee of agriculture

PERU – A multi-vehicle crash involving a number of trucks and passenger vehicles snarled traffic on I-80 Thursday morning.  Around 8:15 AM multiple agencies were called to the crash near the Illinois 251 interchange where a chain reaction collision apparently occurred in the eastbound

BELLEVILLE – According to the EPA, the average household in the U.S. loses approximately 10,000 gallons of water waste each year thanks to minor leaks. With more than 11 million homes in the U.S., this equates to more than one trillion gallons of water lost nationwide every year due to

PRINCETON – A mass COVID-19 vaccination event in Bureau County will be open to all residents 18 or older today.  Reservations online were required, and only Bureau County residents are allowed.     The Bureau County Fairgrounds will host the event Tuesday from 9 AM – 1 PM providing

PERU – High wind gusts of around 35 mph toppled power poles in Peru on Monday.  Around 4 PM authorities were called to the area of Illinois 251 and Council Drive for power poles snapped off and lines down.  Many customers were without power for over four hours while crews made repairs.

EARLVILLE – Farming has changed in the last 40 years, and the need conserve topsoil has been pushed to the forefront with ironically groundbreaking techniques that lead to less ground being broke. LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Farm Family of the Year was announced