Area Plant Closer To Closing

A fixture in Spring Valley for nearly 50 years, Honeywell-Hobbs is officially closing.

Union members have ratified a severance package offered by Honeywell-Hobbs officials. This sets the stage for the Spring Valley plant to close and have the production lines moved to Juarez, Mexico. Company Spokesman Mark Hamel says a significant decrease in demand for products made at the Spring Valley plant has them making the move.

Hamel says there’s no timeline of when the plant will close. He thinks departments will shut down over phases with the first cuts starting this fall.

Car stolen in La Salle set on fire

Someone living on the far north side of La Salle is in need of new wheels after their car was apparently stolen and set on fire overnight Wednesday.
Police received a complaint about a car being taken from the 2600 block of North Hennepin Street shortly after 6:30am Wednesday.
Investigators had already found the car badly burnt in Dimmick Township.
The theft and fire are under investigation by the La Salle and Illinois State Police Departments.

Blue Jay in La Salle County tests positive for west nile

Mosquitoes haven’t been too bad this year but you should still think about west nile virus.
The virus that’s spread by mosquitoes has turned up again in La Salle County. The county health department says a dead blue jay found August 25 in Streator tested positive for the illness. A crow found in Lostant in June also tested positive.
The best ways to prevent catching west nile is to wear insect repellent that contains DEET, long sleeve-shirts and pants. You should also get rid of standing water that could be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Walking tour details downtown La Salle

When’s the last time you’ve taken a walk through downtown La Salle? Did you pay attention to the little details of the buildings? Maybe it brought back memories of your childhood.
A walking tour of La Salle is the latest thing visitors and you can try out while hanging out downtown.
The 18-stop tour was created by the La Salle Business Association. Sharon Wagenkecht is one of the people with the group taking the tour Thursday morning. She says they’ve made one thousand copies of the brochure and will be checking to see if they got the details correct.
Some of the stops include City Hall and St. Patrick’s Church.
You can take the tour at your leisure by picking up a brochure at the Lock 16 Visitor’s Center.

Out-of-towner remains in La Salle County Jail

A man from Tennessee might be spending more time in La Salle County than he had originally anticipated.
Bobby Ray of Nashville has been held in the county jail for felony possession of a stolen vehicle since he was arrested at Flying J in La Salle last month. A grand jury indicted him Tuesday. His bond has been is set at $25,000.

Farmer’s Market is back in Oglesby

Road construction won’t stop the Oglesby Farmer’s Market from happening.
Over a dozen vendors are expected to sell their goods starting at 4pm Thursday in the city parking lot along Dale Avenue. Dale Avenue is currently under construction so vendors are asked to enter the parking lot from the alley off Glen Avenue.
If you’re interested in being a vendor, call Becky Clinard.

Free college tuition part of proposed scholarship

How does a free year’s tuition sound? Stay out of trouble and it could happen.
State Representative Mike Boland who happens to be Chairman of the Illinois House Committee on Higher Education will talk about his free tuition bill at 1:30pm Friday at Illinois Valley Community College.
Boland is proposing a “Challenge Scholarship” where high school student would receive a free year’s tuition to a state community college if they maintain a “C” average and don’t get arrested, suspended, or caught with alcohol and drugs. To get the scholarship, the student and a parent would have to sign a pledge while in 8th grade.