Oglesby Plant Not Opening Anytime Soon

During a September 2nd meeting with the CEO of the Midwest branch for Buzzi Unicem, Oglesby Mayor Tony Torres says he was told that the cement plant wouldn’t open up thru 2010. The plant closed late last year after Buzzi officials said the demand for cement was down. Around 80 workers were laid off.

The original point of the meeting between Torres and company management was to begin talks about renewing their electrical contract. Nothing was decided on that issue.

City Challenging The State

At a time when construction projects are popping up everywhere to try and put people to work, the Oglesby City Council is saying no thanks to a project thru their town.

The council has started a petition for people in the city to sign opposing I-DOT’s plan to widen Route 351 from south of Route 251 to north of Walnut Street because it’ll cost the city up to two million dollars to remove over 70 power poles and sewer and water lines that would be in the way of the project. I-DOT also wants to put in new sidewalks and curb and gutter which will require land acquisition to get easements from dozens of homes and businesses in Oglesby.

Finance Commissioner Paul Danekas said it’s a financial hardship that the city wants no part of. He thinks a prior council back in 2003 signed off on the work with I-DOT not knowing the cost to the city. The attorney for the city Vince Brolley is also going to draw up a letter of opposition to send along with the petition to try and stop the construction project.

Get Your Flu Shot

In a season where health officials think everyone should get a flu vaccine, the La Salle County Health Department has set up a flu shot schedule.

You can get a flu shot thru the health department Tuesday in Marseilles and Seneca. The Marseilles clinic runs from 8 until 11 at Marseilles Union Hall while the clinic in Seneca is from 2 until 5 at Seneca City Hall.

Clinics will also be held next week in Ottawa and Streator.

Dad Accused Of Hurting Daughter Indicted

A 23 year old Marseilles man remains in jail after he allegedly shook and threw his 10 week daughter against a couch.

Daniel Carraro was indicted last week on a charge of aggravated battery of a child. He was arrested August 30th for the alleged child abuse and is being held at the county jail on 750 thousand dollars bond.

The 10 week old meanwhile was taken to St. Francis Medical Center where she was initially said to be in serious condition.

One-car accident sends teen to hospital

A teen from Wenona was taken to the hospital after an accident rural in Osage Township.
Police say Tiffani Shearer was heading north on East 7th Road Sunday night when she went into the ditch and hit a utility pole.
Shearer was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital. Her condition is not being released. The accident is being investigated.

LPHS celebrates homecoming week

If it looks like students at LP High School never changed out of their pajama’s Monday, well, that’s because they didn’t.
Pajama Day is the first theme day of homecoming week. The variety show and the crowing of the king and queen is 7pm Monday in the main gym.
The homecoming parade is 4pm Thursday starting at City Park in Peru.
The homecoming game is Friday night against Dixon. The dance is Saturday.

Employees return to steel plant

31 men head back to work Monday at the Mittal Steel Plant in Hennepin, though they won’t be producing steel. The former employees have been hired back to continue removing equipment from the plant that’s been closed since March.
Friday was the deadline for workers to accept the offer to work fulltime for two to three months.
Former employees have been picketing outside the plant’s gates trying to prevent Mittal from removing more machinery.
Dave York is the president of United Steelworkers Local 367. He expects there will still be people picketing. They’re hoping the plant will be purchased by another company.