Coal spills into river

Editor's note: Joseph Jones is a Register correspondent representing vermiliondaily.com. VERMILION — A coal spill occurred Monday morning into the Vermilion River near the Liberty Avenue (U.S. 6) bridge trestle near Quaker Steak & Lube. Vermilion police Capt. Jim Graham said a train dumped material into the river, spreading quickly downstream toward the lake. Responding to the scene Emergency crews responded, contacting the EPA and other agencies. Tim Jonovich, Erie County's emergency management agency director, commented on the situation. "We have reached out to the railroad and EPA, spoken with the U.S. EPA and the state EPA. It's not a large concern for them," Jonovich said. "It's a concern, I'm not saying we are dismissing it, but it's not something they are coming for," he added. "They are not calling for testing. They are not calling for air monitoring. They are not calling for action beyond what's done, and that's a good sign." Vermilion fire Chief Bill Brown and the city described the particles as non-toxic. Brown made that statement in person, while the city also issued a text alert and social media posts reinforcing that message. "They have given us no further directions," Jonovich said about direction coming from local, state or federal authorities. "They said it's fine if it's corralled into one point, and you can kind of trap it there. It can make cleanup better. They have not mandated anything so far." Editor's note: This story has been updated.