Ex U of I Trustee Seeking Local Office

A former U of I trustee who resigned over the admissions scandal is running for the La Salle County Board.

Republican Bob Vickrey has turned in a petition to run for the District 10 board seat.  The incumbent is Democrat Art Rigby who also turned in his petition for re-election. 

Incumbent Stephen Carlson already has a primary challenger for his District 2 board seat.  Fellow Republican Joanne McNally is taking Carlson on.

Route 251 bridge south of Peru reopens

You’ll be able to take Route 251 between Oglesby and Peru again.  IDOT says the bridge should be reopened by noon Monday.

The bridge over the Illinois River had been closed to traffic since late April for repainting.  The old paint, which contained lead, was removed.  A fresh coat of green paint was applied.

Woman dies after rollover crash in Adams Township

A rollover accident has left a woman from Somonauk dead. 

Investigators say Marianne Kae was pronounced dead at Valley West Hospital Sunday night.

          The accident happened on East 2351^st Road in La Salle County.  It’s being investigated by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Department and Dekalb County Coroner’s office.

Serena Grade School students back after flu

Class resumes Monday at Serena Grade School.   

          The school was closed all of last week after about a third of the students were home sick.  Some staff also was out sick.

          Superintendent Dan Joyce says while they have no confirmed cases of swine flu, all indications show they are dealing with that strain of the flu.  He says “odds are good” they’ll have to deal with this situation again during the school year.

          Joyce says if your children are still feeling bad, keep them home.

OHS strike over, students returned Monday

Classes are in session at Ottawa High School after an overnight announcement that the teacher’s union had approved a deal with the school board.  The teachers had been on strike since September 30.

          Teacher’s union president Glenn Weatherford says negotiations this year were stressful for everyone and he’s confident that the teachers and the entire Ottawa community will work hard to heal wounds and resume efforts to make Ottawa High School “the best it can be.”

The school board has scheduled a special meeting for 7:30am Wednesday where they’ll go into closed session and likely ratify a three-year teachers contract.