Illinois Briefs - 5/18/13

Email Says Rutherford To Announce Run For Governor Soon

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford apparently is serious about making a run to become governor.  A fundraising email sent yesterday indicates a formal announcement will be made soon.  Rutherford, a former Republican state senator, says he's picked up substantial financial support.  He also notes he received more votes in his 2010 race for treasurer than Governor Pat Quinn did in his campaign for governor the same year.

Senate Sends Medical Marijuana Bill To Quinn

The Illinois Senate has approved a bill that would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients who suffer from certain terminal illnesses or debilitating conditions.  The 35-21 vote sends the bill to Gov. Quinn, who has not said if he would sign it.  The bill lists 33 illnesses that are eligible for marijuana medication.  The bill authorizes a four-year pilot program that includes background checks for patients and caregivers.  

Senate Pushes Off Debate On Concealed Guns

A concealed carry law in the Illinois Senate won't come to a vote this weekend.  Planned sessions for today and tomorrow have been cancelled, and the Senate won't return until Monday at noon.  Upon their return, they're  expected to debate a measure approved in committee that would

"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" this Saturday in Princeton

A very special walk is planned for this Saturday in Princeton to promote awareness of domestic and sexual violence.  Princeton Tourism and Freedom House host the first annual "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Men's March Against Violence".   Freedom House Development Coordinator Michelle Spears says a walk done by men in women's shoes is a fun way to shed light on a serious problem.  Registration begins at noon at Soldiers and Sailors Park on South Main Street across from the courthouse.  There's a 20-dollar donation to walk, which Spears says includes a "goodies bag" and tee-shirt.  Spears says the walk is actually about 1/3 of a mile, but for those who don't want to walk, chair massages will be offered.  In addition to the walk, the event features food, music, face painting, monster trike races and an auction.   Freedom House serves Bureau, Marshall, Putnam, Henry and Stark counties.  More information can be found on their website, Facebook page or at WZOE.com.

Longtime Princeton business reopens with new owners and a new name

A longtime Princeton business has reopened with new owners and a new name.  But the owners of the former Tastee Freeze across from the fairgrounds on West Peru Street say they still serve the restaurant's famous barbecue sandwiches and other favorites.  Grandma Rosie's Sweet Treats has been open for a little over a week but will have their grand opening this Saturday.  New owners Jason and Jenny Judd of Hennepin started their business several years ago in a trailer, going to various fairs and festivals, but were always looking for a more permanent location.  They found it recently when they bought Tastee Freeze from Gerald and Pam Miller and renamed it Grandma Rosie's Sweet Treats.  Their hours are 11 to 9 Sunday through Thursday and 11 to 10 Friday and Saturday.  Z-98 will be broadcasting on-location from Grandmas Rosie's grand opening this Saturday afternoon beginning at 1.

5th annual Old Wheels Show is this Saturday

If it has wheels, it will probably be at the 5th annual Old Wheels Show at the First Lutheran Church in Princeton tomorrow.  The event takes place in the church parking lots at 116 North Pleasant Street and features many vintage and antique cars, tractors, trucks, motorcycles and other collector vehicles.  There will be a train for the children to ride, pulled-pork sandwiches, hot dogs, popcorn and soft drinks served and free snow cones handed out.  A bake sale and music will be featured as well.  One of the event’s organizers, Dr. Dick Dorsch, says there’s something special about the classic vehicles.  WZOE-AM will be broadcasting on-location from the show beginning at 11 am.  Admission is free.  For more information, check out their Facebook page at Old-Wheels-Car-Show or WZOE.com.

More details released on tanker rollover and spill on I-80

More details are being released on a tanker truck rollover and spill that closed Interstate 80 between Annawan and Atkinson for most of the day.  We now have a name for not only the driver of the truck but also the chemical that was spilled.  State Police Trooper Jason Wilson says 44-year old Thomas Geary of Frankfort, Illinois has been ticketed for Improper Lane Usage after his semi went off the road and rolled into a ditch just before 6 yesterday morning.  A small spill occurred from the tanker containing the chemical Toluene, a solvent used to dissolve paints and also used as an octane booster in gasoline.  A HazMat team was called in to clean up the spill.  In addition to being ticketed, Geary was taken to Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo with what's being described as non-life threatening injuries.