Youth Alcohol Awareness Summit is Wednesday
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission will be holding a Youth Alcohol Awareness Summit Wednesday. The online event is dedicated to educating and empowering young individuals about the dangers of alcohol consumption.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with expert speakers and network with like-minded individuals from around Illinois.
Halloween fire warnings
The Illinois State Fire Marshall is advising residents about the dangers of Halloween decorations and fires.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 9,200 fires were reported to fire departments nationwide over a 3-day period around Halloween. These fires caused an estimated annual average of 25 deaths, 100 injuries, and $117 million in property loss.
Officials advise using a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns and teach children to stay away from open flames while wearing their costumes.
Squirrel suspected in power outage
Some residents in Metro East found themselves without power Monday morning, but officials pinpointed the suspect to be of the furry nature.
Apparently, a squirrel chewed through wires at an Ameren substation, causing nearly 3,000 Ameren customers in Wood River and East Alton to be without power.
Power crews were sent to several different substations when they discovered the damage by the squirrel. Power was eventually restored after three hours.
