Earlville Man Accused Of Road Rage Attack

A road rage case turned attempted robbery has an Earlville man facing a couple felony charges.

Nickolas Gilbert was indicted this week for aggravated battery and attempted robbery.  He’s accused of walking up to a teenage driver last month on Route 34 in Earlville, punching the driver in the face and demanding his wallet.  Investigators think it’s a road rage case.

Gilbert is out of jail after posting five thousand dollars bond.

Ambulance Issue Back Up For Discussion In Oglesby

The debate will continue on changes to the Oglesby Ambulance Department.

The Oglesby City Council will vote Monday night on a revised wage and salary ordinance for its ambulance department.  Two weeks ago the council voted 3 to 2 to put the ordinance on file.  It limits ambulance workers to under a thousand hours a year so they won’t be eligible for a pension.

Commissioners Tom Porter and Dennis Yborra both voted against putting the ordinance on file.  Porter says the ordinance has confusing language and the council is overstepping its authority.  Yborra agrees with Porter also that the changes could limit staffing too much.

Monday night’s meeting starts at 7.

Wine Lovers Converge At Area Park

One of Illinois’ largest wine festivals is back in the Illinois Valley.

The annual Vintage Illinois Wine Festival is today and Sunday at Matthiessen State Park.  Nearly 30 wineries are scheduled to be at the festival along with food and live music.

August Hill Winery of Utica will be represented.  Mark Wenzel from August Hill says the drought means its quality over quantity.

If you plan on sipping wine, tickets are 20 dollars.  If you go and don’t drink, the cost is five dollars.

Chicago Teacher’s Strike Almost Over?

CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the tentative agreement between the city’s school district and the Chicago Teachers Union is a principled one that will benefit the city’s school children.

Chicago public school teachers have been on strike all week. On Friday, negotiators emerged from marathon talks to say they had achieved a “framework” that teacher could vote up or down over the weekend. Emanuel says the framework preserves more time for learning in the classroom and provides more support for teachers to excel at their craft. He also says it “gives principals the latitude and responsibility to build an environment in which our children can succeed.”

Union president Karen Lewis says while the strike is still in effect, she hopes to see students in class Monday.