Briefly

Electric cord likely cause of Fulton fire

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Staff reports | Thursday, December 21, 2006 1:11 AM CST | () comments

Larry Fisher/QUAD-CITY TIMES Furnace on the move : Traffic on Davenport’s 53rd Street was backed up for a mile or more during the noon hour Wednesday as a huge furnace was moved from northwest Davenport to Alcoa Davenport Works. The furnace, which the aluminum manufacturer will use in a process at its Riverdale, Iowa, plant, is not expected to be operational until mid-2007.

FULTON, Ill. — A fire that destroyed a Fulton trailer home Tuesday morning likely was caused by faulty extension cord, Assistant Fire Chief Ray Sikkema said Wednesday.

Firefighters were called to 518 24th Ave., Lot 34, at 10:19 a.m. Tuesday, Sikkema said. The home, occupied by the five members of the Facio family, was destroyed. No one was home at the time.

— Steven Martens

Investigators seek witnesses to fire

CLINTON, Iowa — Investigators are seeking information from witnesses about the Dec. 5 fire that destroyed the main building of the Deer Ridge Apartments complex in Clinton as they continue work to determine a cause of the fire.

Clinton Fire Marshal Mike Brown said Wednesday that investigators are trying to gather as much information as possible before making a determination about the cause of the fire.

Anyone with information about the fire may call Clinton County Crime Stoppers at (800) 883-8015, the Clinton Fire Marshal’s Office at (563) 242-0125, or the Arson Hotline at (800) 532-1459.

— Steven Martens

Fatal accident caused by medical condition

CLINTON, Iowa — A medical problem caused a single-car accident that killed a Clinton man Monday afternoon, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday.

Ramon Bertolino, 76, of 115 N. 13th St., was driving eastbound in the 4200 block of Iowa 136 about 3 p.m. Monday when he apparently experienced medical problems while entering a curve, causing his 1994 Ford Escort to enter the south ditch, according to a sheriff’s department report. The car struck a driveway and went airborne, landing on its wheels.

Bertolino was taken to Mercy Medical Center-Clinton, then transferred to University Hospitals in Iowa City, where he was pronounced dead.

— Steven Martens

Clinton driver hits hydrant, traffic light

CLINTON, Iowa — Traffic was slowed along Camanche Avenue in Clinton on Wednesday afternoon when a driver struck a traffic signal and a fire hydrant, filling the street with water.

The accident occurred at 12:41 p.m. at 13th Avenue South and Camanche Avenue, said Sgt. Terry St. Ores of the Clinton Police Department. The traffic light that was damaged is used by pedestrians trying to cross the street and is not generally used for traffic control, St. Ores said.

The driver of the vehicle, whose name and address was not available, was taken to Mercy Medical Center-Clinton.

— Steven Martens

ATV club raises money for Make-A-Wish

ELDRIDGE, Iowa — The Two Rivers ATV Club held its annual party Dec. 16 at Del’s Eatery and Pub in Eldridge, Iowa.

A raffle raised $3,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Club member Amber Huggins won a brand new all-terrain vehicle.

Area children will sing to seniors today

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Quad-Cities will host a holiday party at 10 a.m. today for residents of the Silvercrest Garner Farms Special Memory Care, 1575 W. 53rd St., Davenport.

The organization will bring children from Our House pre-school who will sing Christmas carols. Children and residents also will work together frosting cookies and decorating Christmas stockings.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters will donate the supplies. Many of the workers were hired through AmeriCorps, a nationwide corps of individuals who dedicate a year of service to meet the critical needs that benefit their community and surrounding area.

“It is important that our staff not only provide youth mentoring services, but also that they perform volunteer services in the community at large,” said Jay Justin, president and chief executive officer of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

Humane Society offers ‘Bone Appetit’ book

The Humane Society of Scott County has reissued “Bone Appetit,” a recipe collection for people and pets alike.

The bone-shaped cookbook offers recipes such as asparagus polonaise for humans and microwave doggie doughnuts for pets. The book costs $8 and all proceeds will benefit the shelter.

The book can be purchased at the Humane Society, 5001 N. Brady St., Davenport.

Local bank collects toys for children

Valley Bank recently collected toys for the Child Abuse Council of the Quad-Cities. The council informs, educates and supports children in the bistate metropolitan area.

“We are very pleased with how well the toy drive went,” said Michael Henson, regional president for the bank. “We received numerous donations consisting of books, toys, clothes, toothbrushes, diapers and craft items.”

The toys were delivered Tuesday to the Child Abuse Council’s Moline office.

Fire departments receive grants

Two area Iowa fire departments have received grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters grant program.

Lost Nation Fire Company received $34,438, and Montpelier Volunteer Fire Department received $21,039. The grant program helps Iowa communities purchase firefighting equipment and implement firefighter health and safety programs, emergency medical services programs and fire prevention and safety programs. Fire departments can submit proposals to receive funds for new fire trucks, hoses, protective equipment, rescue vehicles and training for emergency personnel.

Although the program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States, it places a particular emphasis on rural fire departments. At least 60 percent of the program’s funding must go to volunteer fire departments. The program requires a 10 percent match in local funding.

Visitors Bureau focusing on winter events

The Quad-Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau has revived the “Colder is Cooler” section on its Web site at www.visitquadcities.com.

The section features information about winter events taking place in the area, including bald eagle watching, skiing, ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling and sledding. There also is a page featuring winter package deals.

A popular activity for people visiting the Quad-Cities is bald eagle watching. Each year, up to 2,500 eagles make the trees and bluffs along the Mississippi River their winter roosting grounds. They winter in the Quad-Cities because the river stays open and remains free of ice due to the locks and dams in the area.