Layoffs In Streator

The lagging economy is blamed for layoffs at a factory in Streator.
Vactor Manufacturing announced Friday they were cutting 98 hourly workers. The plant is also scaling down from three to two shifts.
Vactor makes sewer and catch basin cleaners. They’ve been in business in Streator since the early 1920’s.

Second drowning reported on the Vermilion River this week

The name of the latest drowning victim in Oglesby has been released.

36 year old Jennifer Wehling of DeKalb was pronounced dead in the Illinois Valley Community Hospital emergency room. She was taken there late yesterday afternoon after a rafting accident at the Buzzi Unicem low-head dam. Two others were treated and released from IVCH.

The initial 911 call came to Oglesby Police at four o’clock about a boating accident on the Vermillion. Wehling’s raft apparently went over the dam and got caught in the current.

Unemployment remains high but retail jobs increase

Finding a job remains a challenge in the Illinois Valley area. The latest unemployment numbers for La Salle County showed unemployment at 10.5% for May, over three percent higher than the same time last year.
Bureau County Unemployment was at 8.8%, over 3% higher than the same time last year.
Putnam County Unemployment was at 12%, nearly 6% higher than the same time last year.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security says over the year, the most jobs cut have been in manufacturing and construction. They say there has been an increase in retail jobs.

Endress leavs IVCC board

Changes for the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees. A woman who was on the board for six years has left.
Paula Endress says she stepped down for “a new career opportunity” in the Springfield area.
Endress became a trustee in 2003 after being appointed to replace Harry Debo. She won a six-year term in 2005.
Her replacement will be chosen from a pool of candidates that were considered when the board filled its last open seat.