Line break results in interruption of 911 service

<span>STEELEVILLE -- A construction company digging a trench for a culvert cut a fiber optic cable early Thursday morning, resulting in the loss of wireless 911 service for roughly six hours.</span>

<span>Dana Berkes, a public relations manager for Frontier Communications, told the Herald Tribune that the break occurred at 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of Highway 4 and Route 150 in Steeleville in front of Wm. Nobbe & Company, a John Deer tractor dealership.</span>

<span>"The break affected both internet and phone service in Chester, Marissa and Evansville," Berkes said. "Crews had to wait for JULIE to come find out what other utility lines were in the area before they started digging."</span>

<span>As the day wore on, residents in Sparta, Ellis Grove and Steeleville also reported interruption in service. Some reported being able to receive calls, but were unable to call out.</span>

<span>Workers with Frontier Communications on the scene said lines were marked, but an older, non-active cable had been marked instead of the newer one that was cut.</span>

<span>Cindy Wagner, Enhanced 911 coordinator at the Randolph County Courthouse, said while wireless 911 service was affected, area law enforcement and emergency services were notified.</span>

<span>"It rang very long rings and no one answered," Wagner said. "That's what we were dealing with."</span>

<span>Officials with the E-911 department said wireless service was restored at 2:30 p.m., with regular customer service expected to become fully operational about an hour later.</span>