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North Central Illinois Update

Looking back – 13 years after Streator Tornado
Looking back – 11 years after Streator Tornado STREATOR – It has been thirteen years since 17 people were injured and over 100 buildings damaged in Streator after a tornado struck the city around 9 PM

A look back at the 2004 Utica Tornado
From the archives of Studstill Media UTICA – On April 20th, 2004 a tornado swept across Putnam and LaSalle County, injuring dozens and claiming 8 lives in the village of Utica.

Anniversary of Pluto Discovery on this date in 1930
STREATOR – Today is the anniversary of the discovery of Pluto by a man born in Streator. It was February 18th, 1930 photographic evidence of Pluto was discovered by Clyde W. Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in

LaSalle County Board mulls over 13 ARPA applications, approves seven
OTTAWA – The LaSalle County Board voted to approve more American Rescue Plan Applications from agencies throughout the county, but not without hesitation. Tuesday’s board meeting started with newly elected member Ray Gatza speaking on behalf

Area health departments remind everyone about food safety this holiday season
OTTAWA – Area health departments are reminding everyone responsible for cooking holiday meals or dishes to be mindful of proper food handling procedures. The CDC notes that although anyone can get a foodborne illness, pregnant women and

Red Cross offers safety tips to prevent house fires over the holidays
CHICAGO – The American Red Cross is offering safety tips to prevent house fires over the holidays. They suggest besides testing your smoke detectors each month, that you should also use caution when heating your home, especially

Turkey Preparation Key to Safe Thanksgiving
OTTAWA – With Thanksgiving approaching the CDC wants to remind those in charge of cooking to be aware of some tips to keep the holiday safe and healthy. They say that you should thaw your turkey in

Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires
SPRINGFIELD – Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with four times the average number occurring. Ranges and cook-tops account for almost three out of every five home fires reported involving cooking, with

Great American Smoke Out event Thursday
OTTAWA – This Thursday, smokers will be challenged to quit for the day as part of the Great American Smoke Out. The LaSalle County Health Department is in on the movement sponsored by the American Cancer Society

113th anniversary of the Cherry Mine Disaster
CHERRY – It was 113 years ago today on November 13, 1909 over 250 men and boys died during fire in Bureau County in what was to become known as the Cherry Mine Disaster. A coal car

State agencies remind residents to prepare for winter weather in November
SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is encouraging all Illinoisans to make safety a priority as winter returns to the state. To help Illinoisans prepare for the changing weather, IEMA and the NWS developed

With the time change comes reminder to check your smoke detectors
OTTAWA – The American Red Cross is reminding residents nationwide that with the time change set for this weekend, that you should take the opportunity to test your smoke detectors. If they fail to respond after installation

30 years later and still no answers in Zywicki case
UTICA – Today is the 30th anniversary of one of the most infamous crimes the area has seen, and State Police and the FBI are still looking for new information. 21 year old Tammy Zywicki, a

Looking back – 12 years after Streator Tornado
STREATOR – It has been twelve years since 17 people were injured and over 100 buildings damaged in Streator after a tornado struck the city around 9 PM on June 5th 2010. The supercell thunderstorms spawned

Health Department encourages smokers to quit on World No Tobacco Day
OTTAWA – The LaSalle County Health Department would like to encourage smokers to quit the habit for World No Tobacco Day. They say smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the United States today. Over

A look back at the 2004 Utica Tornado
From the archives of Studstill Media UTICA – On April 20th, 2004 a tornado swept across Putnam and LaSalle County, injuring dozens and claiming 8 lives in the village of Utica.

18 years later questions remain unanswered in Mesarchik murder
STREATOR – Questions remain unanswered in what happened to 7-year-old Dalton Mesarchik, who was reported missing on March 26th, 2003. The next day his body was found along the Vermillion River south of Streator, but no suspects

With the time change comes reminder to check your smoke detectors
OTTAWA – The American Red Cross is reminding residents nationwide that with the time change set for this weekend, that you should take the opportunity to test your smoke detectors. If they fail to respond after installation

Anniversary of Pluto Discovery on this date in 1930
STREATOR – Today is the anniversary of the discovery of Pluto by a man born in Streator. It was February 18th, 1930 photographic evidence of Pluto was discovered by Clyde W. Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff,

Lt. Governor launches Ag Equity and Food Insecurity Initiative
SPRINGFIELD Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton has launched the Agricultural Equity and Food Insecurity Initiative, called #AgConnectsUsAll. During the month of February, the emphasis of #AgConnectsUsAll will be on diversity and equity. According to federal data, Black Farmers