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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Thursday, January 7, 2016
No foul play in fatal accident, fire
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Well ... we’re trying Spring Valley still dealing with water well, pump issues By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com
SPRING VALLEY — A city is like a house. You have to build it on a strong foundation, and educate the inhabitants of proper manners. You have to keep it clean, and presentable for guests. Most importantly, you have to fix what falters, or eventually the house will not be a suitable place to stay. The Spring Valley City Council knows this all too well. At the Spring Valley City Council meeting Monday, Jan. 4, Chamlin and Associate representative Mike Richetta said the wastewater treatment plant construction continues, and foundations for the tanks were poured Monday afternoon.
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BCR photo/Becky Kramer
A fully-engulfed house fire just west of Princeton at about 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, claimed the life of Nicholas Stocking, 33, of Princeton, who died in a vehicle that crashed into the home. The house was not occupied at the time of the blaze.
DNA testing identifies the victim By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — Police are calling the vehicle vs. home collision, that occurred Monday evening just west of Princeton, a freak accident with no foul play linked to the incident. Shortly before 9 p.m., a vehicle crashed into a vacant home on the corner of Route 6 and 1800 East Street, causing a fire to ignite within the structure. The home was located next door to the former Three Olives Restaurant. The Princeton Fire Department was called to the scene. According to Princeton Fire Chief Chuck Woolley, mutual aid was requested prior to arriving because the fire could be seen from town. Upon arrival, firefighters immediately set-up a defensive fire attack on the home, which was fully engulfed in flames. Year 170 No. 3 One Section - 20 Pages
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It wasn’t until the fire was contained that firefighters realized a vehicle had entered the north side of the home and was inside the burning structure. The Bureau County Sheriff’s Department was then notified of the findings. Upon further investigation, first responders discovered remains of a body inside the vehicle. Bureau County Coroner Janice Wamhoff was then called to the scene. On Wednesday, DNA testing identified the body as Nicholas Stocking, 33, of Princeton, she said. Wamhoff added the cause of death can not be determined. She listed it as an accidental death. As the incident remains under investigation with the help of an Illinois State Police reconstructionist and the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Bureau
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Leaning toward the leaf? Assistant state’s attorney discusses decriminalizing marijuana By Eric Engel eengel@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Goldie Rapp
Police officials said no foul play was found in the investigation into the fatal fire/accident that occurred Monday evening on the corner of Route 6 and 1800 East Street, west of Princeton. Police are still trying to pinpoint exactly what ignited the fire when the vehicle, found inside the home, collided with the structure.
Editor’s note: This is the first part of an ongoing series on potential marijuana legislation. PRINCETON — A new bill was introduced to remove criminal penalties for marijuana possession in Illinois, but Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini said the legislation did not pass as of Jan. 1. House Bill 4357 was designed to give civil fines to individuals for possession of a personal amount of marijuana, which would be any amount under 10 grams.
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