8-01-2023 3:44pm

News Briefs: August 1, 2023

The latest Rockton, Roscoe and South Beloit News in a nutshell

En Español: Noticias Breves: Agosto 1, 2023

After 43 years of owning and operating her ceramics studio, R&L Ceramics, Linda Littlejohn has decided to retire. A fall from a ladder during the studio's expansion and renovation, along with physical limitations and mental stress after the COVID-19 pandemic, led her to this decision.

Linda will work at the studio until the building is sold, and she will miss the people she's met and worked with over the years the most. She will continue some ceramics production at home and make salt and pepper shakers for the National Salt and Pepper Association.

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Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin announced a funding allocation of $1,681,556 for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct remedial actions at the Beloit Corporation Superfund hazardous waste site in Rockton, Illinois.

Rockton Mayor John Peterson told us, "My understanding is that this is not new money for the site but a continued commitment to the cleanup of the US EPA Superfund site as it was prior to the Chemtool explosion." He expressed his gratitude for the continued investment in the site's groundwater monitoring and testing but hopes for additional funds to ensure safe drinking water for residents.

The site was added to the Superfund National Priority List in 1990 due to high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). After the 2021 Chemtool fire, the EPA increased water testing in the Blackhawk Acres subdivision but found elevated levels of heavy metals instead of VOCs.

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With the Hononegah football season less than 30 days away, the team has launched a discount card to raise money. Many area businesses are providing discounts on food, car washes, and so much more. The cards can be purchased from a Hononegah football player or via the Hono Football social media accounts Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Make sure to obtain a card before the August 6 deadline.

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Rockton Township Historical Society is hosting a garage/yard sale fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 4 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m at 320 West Rockton Rd. Theit museum displays items about Walt Williamson’s Wagon Wheel Resort, early settlers, local business and industry, Mack family and Native Americans, Civil War Brigadier General Elon Farnsworth, military items and uniforms.

For more information on the event click here.