Hoffman Estates buys more salt

Responding to unexpectedly heavy snowfalls this winter, Hoffman Estates officials Monday authorized the purchase of 2,000 more tons of road salt to see the village through the end of the season. The village board's finance committee recommended waiving the formal bidding process in order to buy the salt immediately from Cargill Inc. Salt Division in North Olmstead, Ohio, for $99,000. Public works officials said 2,000 tons of road salt is normally about a third of what's needed for an entire winter, but that this winter is now expected to consume 9,800 tons in Hoffman Estates.