Ill. lightning strike delays newspaper delivery

PEORIA — Two central Illinois newspapers are being delivered later than usual after a lightning strike at an electrical substation stopped their printing presses.

The (Peoria) Journal Star and Pekin Daily Times are experiencing delays Wednesday.

Both are published by GateHouse Media Inc.

The lightning struck a substation in Peoria at the foot of the hill where the Journal Star is located.

Ameren spokesperson Neal Johnson says the resulting outage affected 3,500 customers. Power was restored Wednesday morning.

The Journal Star says most subscribers can expect their papers alongside their Thursday editions.

The Daily Times was being delivered Wednesday.

An electronic edition of Wednesday's Journal Star is being offered online for free.