Illinois quick hits: Illinois-Missouri bridge closed; Historical Society Facebook page hacked

Illinois-Missouri bridge closed

A bridge connecting Illinois and Missouri has been closed due to a fire raging nearby.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge that carries Interstate 70 over the Mississippi River will be closed for up to two days due to a fire at a vacant warehouse.

The fire was causing a large amount of smoke to hang over the nearby roadways, resulting in potentially dangerous driving conditions.

Caracal caught in suburbs

After being on the loose for several days in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, authorities have captured a large, wild cat.

The Hoffman Estates Police Department updated residents late Tuesday morning, saying the caracal, a medium-sized wild cat native to Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, was caught by officers.

The cat was found unharmed, hiding under a residential deck. It will be transported to an exotic animal rescue center in southern Wisconsin. Where the animal came from is still a mystery.

Historical Society Facebook page hacked

May the force be with the Illinois State Historical Society. The Springfield-based organization’s Facebook page was hacked. The infiltrator shortened the name to just “Historical Society” in September and has posted nothing but Star Wars-themed posts since. The page, which used to share state trivia and historical anniversaries, now features Stars Wars memes and birthday shout outs to cast members. ISHS officials have since created a new Facebook page.