Volume 140 No. 11
Friday, May 10, 2013
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The Tonica News
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Remembering Cliff Arnold By Barb Kromphardt bkromphardt@tonicanews.com
TONICA – Friends and colleagues are celebrating the life and mourning the death of Cliff Arnold, who died May 1 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. They are remembering a man who was giving; who was straight-forward in his approach to life ... a
man who loved his family, and who always stood up for the little guy. John Felty said Arnold was a special friend who was always willing to listen. The men shared stories of their lives in the military and always enjoyed a good game of pool. “When my wife died, he came to the house to play pool with me,” Felty said.
Their children grew up together, and Felty said Arnold had a great love for his three sons. “We talked a lot about our kids’ successes and what they were doing,” Felty said. “He was very, very proud of his boys.” Arnold was well-known by Bureau County Republican employees as both the Putnam County Record and Tonica News
were printed at the BCR, prior to Shaw Media buying those two publications in December 2012. The BCR’s lead press man Vic Verway said he knew Arnold for about 15 years. “He was a straight-forward guy,” Verway said. “He told you what he thought.” Verway said the two men also shared a love of motorcycles.
One day, after Cliff came over to pick up the latest edition of the Tonica News, he and Verway walked outside together to load the papers into Cliff’s vehicles. Arnold began looking at Verway’s Harley motorcycle, circling around to see it from all sides. “There’s a code you don’t let just anybody ride your bike,” Verway said.
But he let Arnold ride it. “He took off down the road with his white socks showing above his loafers,” Verway said with a laugh. A little while later Arnold returned. He put down the kick-stand, and walked around the big motorcycle a couple more times.
See Cliff Page 2
Weekend fire destroys Lostant home By Ken Schroeder
kschroeder@putnamcountyrecord.com
LOSTANT – Shortly before noon on May 4, the Lostant Fire Department was dispatched by the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office to a structural fire located at 4 N. 15th Road in Lostant. Upon arrival firefighters found a two-story house fully engulfed in flames. Lostant Fire Department activated its AutoAid, in which the Toluca and Wenona fire departments are to respond directly to the scene with one engine and one tanker from each department. The Tonica Fire Department was also called to respond with an engine and tanker. Putnam County EMS responded with an ambulance to assist. No one was home at the time of the fire. Family members said they left the house between 8:30 and 9 a.m. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office was contacted, and the incident is under investigation. “I spoke with the fire marshall this morning and the owner. At this time, the cause is undetermined,” said Lostant Fire Chief Andy Forrest on May 6. “It appears the fire started on the main floor in the northeast side of the house.”
See Fire Page 2 Vol. 140 No. 11 One Section - 12 Pages
© The Tonica News
Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder
Lostant first-graders help with flood relief The Lostant first-grade class decided to make a difference in the local and surrounding communities by conducting a donation drive to help local flood victims. After hearing about the damage done to the school librarian’s daughter’s first-grade classroom at Marseilles Elementary School, which was severely damaged by the flood, they asked their teacher Michelle Hoge if they could do something to help. Together, they decided to hold a flood relief drive. The first-graders invited residents in the area to show their support of this event by donating school items at the Lostant Grade School. The students collected several bags and boxes full of clothing and household products to help in the relief of those who suffered from the flooding.
Vandals slash tires Village offering $500 reward By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com
LOSTANT – Several Lostant residents woke up May 2 to slashed tires. Lostant Police Chief Darin
Crask reported a total of 30 tires slashed, most of them on cars with three or four tires damaged. Damage estimates have reached into the thousands of dollars.
In addition to civilian vehicles, a county-owned trailer and a state-owned vehicle also had their tires slashed. That elevates the crime to criminal damage to state-supported property, in this case a Class 4 felony, which carries a
sentence of up to $25,000 in fines and/or one to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. “We’ve established a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individuals respon-
sible,” said Lostant Village President Fred Hartenbower. “We’ve received a few tips, but there’s not enough to make an arrest yet.” Anyone with information is urged to call 815712-8995.
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