Heavy storms bring damage and power outages

A long line of thunderstorms rolled through the area last night, downing trees and power lines, causing road hazards and numerous power outages.  District 17 State Police responded to a two-vehicle traffic accident on Interstate 80 just before 10 pm.  The crash happened in the westbound lane at mile marker 41 ½ near Sheffield.  Injuries and lane blockage was reported.  A request was put in to IDOT for closure of the road.  We’ll have more details on the accident as they’re made available.  A scanner report indicated a tornado near Henry and in Dover, the roof of Ultra Foam was blown off.  Trees and power lines were not only down in Princeton, but about a half-mile east of town on Route 6, a tree was down across the road, blocking traffic from both directions.  Bradford experienced much damage.  The street heading out of town to the east is closed due to downed trees and power lines.  Michlig Ag in Bradford suffered major damage with dryers tipped over grain legs toppled onto bins and roofs ripped off sheds.  In Tiskilwa, trees were down on electrical wires.  The wires were sparking.  Wenona had multiple electric poles down with live wires near the ground.  The storms also left hundreds of customers without power.  As for rainfall totals, most areas reported receiving between an inch-and-a-half and two inches.

Illinois Briefs - 5/21/13

Senate Committee Moves On Limiting Ammo

It looks like a ban on high-capacity magazines is coming.   The state senate is moving a bill that will ban the sale of magazines with more than 10 bullets.  The bill sailed out of committee yesterday with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle voting yes.  It could get a vote on the floor as early as today.  

Tanning Ban Headed To Quinn

Tanning could soon be a thing of the past for Illinois teens.  Lawmakers passed a bill that would ban anyone 18 and under from using indoor tanning beds.  The idea is to reduce the number of cancer cases in the state.  Officials with the American Cancer Society say skin cancer is the second most common form of cancer for people between 15 and 29, and statistics show nearly 25-hundred people in Illinois will be diagnosed with melanoma this year.  But, they say keeping kids out of the UV lights will cut that number down significantly.

Republican Lawmakers Not Happy About Quinn Appointment

Republicans say Governor Quinn may be trying to protect a Democratic candidate for Congress.  Quinn appointed David Gill as Assistant Director of Public Health just one week after Gill announced he was running for Congress next year.  Republicans say the appointment may be a political payoff to keep Gill from running against the Democrats' candidate of choice, Judge Ann Callis.  Callis quit the bench the same day Quinn

More severe weather expected

The sun may be shining but don't let it fool you. There's still a chance of more severe weather.  Severe thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and tonight.  This comes on the heels of a round of tornadoes that ripped through the Midwest.  The twisters caused minor damage in several small towns in Illinois over the weekend.

No injuries in Mendota apartment complex fire

The investigation continues into a fire at an apartment complex on the southwest side of Mendota Sunday night.  The fire was reported just before 7 pm at the apartments on Sandra Avenue.  At least a half dozen fire departments battled the blaze.  There were no injuries, but the roof was taken off the complex.  The fire’s origin has yet to be determined.  The State Fire Marshall’s office is investigating and the Red Cross is assisting residents of the apartments.

Out-of-state woman injured while hiking at Starved Rock

Normally a hike through Starved Rock State Park is a pleasant experience.  That wasn’t the case yesterday afternoon for a Springfield, Oregon woman.  State Conservation Police say 23-year old Kylee Terry fell from a trail in LaSalle Canyon.  She reportedly fell about six feet and was taken to a hospital in Ottawa.  She was being treated for injuries that are being described as minor.