News in Brief 1/19/2022 from Roscoe and Rockton

Three days after OSHA gave Chemtool their inspection report on the Chemtool fire, OSHA decided to fine Holian Insulation $9,557 on Dec. 13, 2021. According to OSHA's complaint against Holian, "On or about June 14, 2021, the employer did not ensure that adequate clearance was maintained between a scissor lift and overhead obstructions while operating a scissor lift between cooking kettles (reactors) R601 and R604. While operating the scissor lift, it struck a pressure tap on a hot oil return pipe for cooking kettle R604, resulting in an oil leak and subsequent fire." After discussing their findings with Chemtool, OSHA's inspection report says the case was closed on Jan. 4, 2022. Be that as it may, Chemtool is still facing several lawsuits and Holian is contesting the fine. We reached out t0 Holian and Chemtool for comment but did not receive a response before we went to press.

In COVID-19 news, the Winnebago County Health Department reports a decreasing daily case count of 387 for Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, down from 920 on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Each home in the U.S. can now order four free COVID tests from the federal government. They say orders usually ship in 7-12 days.

As you may have noticed from the sign, Phoenix Builders is constructing a Starbucks at Hilander Village on the corner of Hononegah Road, near Schnucks. Josh Hendryx, president of Phoenix Builders and a Prairie Hill School board member, says they plan to finish the 2300-square-foot building by mid-April. A Starbucks spokesman told us they expect to open the store this summer and it will feature a drive-thru.

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Belmont University has announced that Spencer Kerch of Rockton qualified for the Fall 2021 Dean's List.  Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Belmont combines liberal arts, professional education, and a Christ-centered student focus. Students are eligible if they are taking at least 12 hours of courses per semester (full-time students), with a grade point average of 3.5 and no grade below a C.

Ronald S. Zawislak (April 7, 1959 - January 17, 2022) passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022 at age 62. Services are pending for a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 201 Buckbee St., Rockford, with a visitation the evening before at Honquest Family Funeral Home, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park.

The number of shops participating in the Vintage Shop Hop keeps increasing. Last fall, there were eventually 400. The first local shop to sign up for this year is JR Finally Art Studio & Gallery.  The spring event happens on Friday and Saturday, March 4 & 5, 2022.

Right now, the lowest gas price in Roscoe is $3.26 at the three truck stops on Rockton Road between I-90 and Willowbrook. When we reported on gas prices in July, it was $3.28 on that corner. Aside from Walmart, which is $3.29, gas is $3.49 at most other places in town.