Afternoon News Update: Thursday February 12
- The City of Rockford Public Works Department began salting arterial routes during the morning rush today. Decisions about further deployment will be made, as needed, according to a press release. Drivers are urged to give the snowplows distance, to allow them room to back up if needed.
- Authorities in Cherry Valley are continuing to pull more parts of a car from the Kiswaukee River. The back half of the vehicle was recovered yesterday morning. Authorities have said the car was completely stripped down without any seats. Divers have now been called to retrieve the other half of the silver vehicle. We'll bring you the latest as soon as it develops.
- Police at Northern Illinois University are continuing an investigation into an armed robbery that took place yesterday at about 8 p.m. on Annie Glidden Road. Authorities say the victim saw a man going through her car after returning from a food delivery, and the suspect took an envelope with cash from her jacket. According to the NIU website, the victim described the suspect as a male with hair past his ears in a bowl cut, approximately six feet tall with a medium build and wearing a black puffy jacket with light colored stripes.
- Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has marked Abraham Lincoln's 206th birthday by laying a wreath at his tomb in Springfield. The governor says Lincoln's "honor, courage and perseverance" served the state and the nation "extraordinarily well."CHICAGO (AP) — Prosecutors in Chicago have charged more than 30 people in a gold-for-cash scheme they say intended to launder the drug profits of a Mexican cartel. Ten of the suspects were arrested recently in the Chicago area.
- ]Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is fighting for the Jackie Robinson West Little Leaguers after they were stripped of their national title yesterday. Emanuel called the president and CEO of Little League International to ask him to rescind the decision and find an alternative punishment. But Stephen Keener said the decision was final.
- A spokesman says Governor Bruce Rauner "has full confidence" in his nominee to lead the Illinois Department of Transportation. He says state senators who must confirm Randy Blankenhorn have been told about his 2004 drunken driving arrest. Blankenhorn pleaded guilty, got a year of supervision and paid an $800 fine.
- Some Illinois lawmakers are pushing for a red light camera ban. One House proposal would put a moratorium on cameras in Chicago while another seeks to outlaw cameras across the entire state. Critics say the devices are simply money-makers for communities and don't improve traffic safety.
- Illinois lottery officials are waiting for a person holding a $1 million Powerball ticket to come forward. The ticket was sold at Phillips 66 in the village of Westville. Tickets sold in North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Texas will share a $564 million jackpot.
- The Rock County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for his sixth drunk driving offense. 42-year-old Jeremy Gorton was pulled over after police learned he was involved in a domestic dispute in Janesville. Gorton has his court appearance today.
- A new Stateline area attraction is giving residents the opportunity to visit the topics without leaving the area. The Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens is holding its annual orchids exhibit. Hundreds of the tropical flowers will be on display, and some will be for sale in the gift shop. The topical orchid exhibit runs through March 1.
- The speed limit on Guilford Road is Rockford is once again an issue at city hall. During a meeting last night, the Rockford Traffic Commission unanimously recommended reducing the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph. The recommendation was based on a study done by county engineers last fall. This would affect Guilford between Alpine and Mulford roads. One of the factors in the commission's decision is the number of accidents on that stretch of road.
- Thanks to donations, a new special room for cats will be built at the Winnebago County Animal Shelter. Animal services received a $40,000 donation from several private donors. This will go toward building a community cat room. It will allow cats to roam free and not be kept in cages.
- Freeport-area public transportation has seen a boost in the last six months. The Freeport Journal Standard reports that ridership numbers for Pretzel City Area Transit have nearly doubled since it partnered with the Senior Resource Center of Stephenson and Jo Daviess Counties. The service provided about 39,000 rides during the 2013-2014 year. The service has a fleet of 13 vehicles.
The state of Wisconsin is buying nearly 14,000 acres of forestland in Iron County for public use and timber production. The Department of Natural Resources is using $4.5 million from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund to purchase the land from the Conservation Fund. The forestland is south of Gogebic Taconite's proposed iron ore mine in the Penokee Hills.
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