Leaf pickup begins November 2 in La Salle

Most of the leaves have turned and are ready to drop.  As you start raking, the leaf collections are scheduled to begin in a couple of weeks in La Salle.

You have three options for getting rid of your leaves.  You could burn them anytime between 8am and 4pm, bag them and set them out with your garbage, or you could rake them to the berm.

If you opt to bag them, you’ll have to use paper yard waste bags sold at grocery and hardware stores and set them out with a city yard waste sticker.
If you chose to rake them to the curb to be picked up by the leaf vac, you’ll need to make sure they’re not in the street and call city hall so they can schedule to have them removed.

Leaf pick up begins the week of November 2.

Drainage problems trouble Oak Ridge Drive

If you’ve ever had a flooded basement, you’ll understand where some of the folks living on Oak Ridge Drive in La Salle are coming from when they say they have drainage issues.
Homeowners from that neighborhood told the city council Monday night how they have to leave multiple pumps running in the basement because of groundwater and how they’ve spent thousands of dollars repairing their basements.
Craig Carter is on those homeowners.  He says the problem an drainage area that pulls water from his neighbors’ yards and collects in his yard.  Flooding has caused him to have multiple pumps installed and replaced.
Others complained of a lack of sewers along the road and water having no where to drain.
City officials are unsure who’s to blame.  Some think the area was a natural drainage area that was filled in and built on.  They’re not sure if the developer would be responsible.
More discussion is planned for a meeting before the next regular council meeting on November 2.  Anyone affected by drainage in that area is encouraged to be there for the meeting at 5:30 in the council chambers.

Meat Plant Raid In Grundy County

No arrests were made during or after a raid yesterday at a Grundy County meat locker.

An FBI spokesperson says the raid is part of an ongoing federal investigation.  The plant in Kinsman is called First World Management.  Witnesses to the raid reported seeing over 100 agents, police officers, and possibly National Guard troops.

The FBI also raided a home in Chicago yesterday that could be related to what happened in Kinsman.

Another meeting ends without a contract at OHS

No new contract for the teacher’s union at Ottawa High School.  The union met with the school board and a mediator for more negotiations Sunday night and couldn’t reach an agreement.  There will be no school Monday.

School Board President George Hupp says the only thing they’ve agreed to so far is the single-coverage health insurance contributions.  Both sides are okay with teacher’s paying 30 dollars a month the first year of a three-year contract.  The monthly cost would increase by 10 dollars during the second and third years.

Before yesterday’s meeting, the union had said they would ask the board that if an agreement couldn’t be reached, to let the negotiations be resolved through arbitration.  The Board didn’t agree. 

Teachers have been on strike since September 30.  It’s unclear when the two sides will meet next.

Swine Flu In Streator

Another area school has reported a student with H1N1, or swine flu.

Streator Woodland Superintendent Douglas Foster says a student was confirmed with a mild case of the virus on Friday.  The student isn’t at school and is being treated.  Foster says the district is working health officials and school will stay open.

He didn’t say what grade the student is in.