Main Street Momence celebrates achievements

It was a celebration of a year of achievement for Momence as 75 people turned out Tuesday for the annual awards banquet for Main Street Momence.

The nonprofit agency, which works to boost downtown Momence, reported that a dozen new businesses opened in the city in the last year, including Sammy's Pizza, the site of the banquet.

Janine Loftus, executive director of Main Street Momence, reported that the group now has 800 subscribers to its email newsletter.

Among the projects in the works for the coming year is the renovation of the former Momence Finer Foods on Dixie Highway into an agriculture museum, visitors center and township hall. Loftus said building renovation could be completed by the end of the year, with the museum opening after that.

The group ended the year with $38,000 in its revolving loan fund for new businesses and $14,000 in its general fund.

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At least 1 dead in fiery crash near Momence

At least one person is dead following a fiery construction zone crash Thursday morning involving a semitruck and a dump truck near Momence.

Illinois Route 1/17 was closed until about 3:15 p.m. Thursday.

The dump truck, heading west, was stopped by a construction crew flagman at 9500 E. Road Illinois Route 1/17. The passenger vehicle was next in line. The semi was next to arrive, but was unable to stop, and the passenger vehicle was crushed between the two larger haulers.

The passenger vehicle and semi burst into flames. A fourth vehicle went off the road and into a ditch to avoid hitting the semi.

The name of the victim has not been released as of 3:45 p.m.

"We can't get at the body at this time. We aren't even sure how many were in there," Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner said Thursday morning. 

The accident took place about 8:15 a.

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