Oglesby Has New Commissioner

After trying to get on the Oglesby City Council three times the conventional way, Don Finley got the call in an unconventional way.

Finley was sworn in as the new Oglesby Electric Commissioner Monday night, replacing Dave Ernat who resigned after moving outside city limits.  Finley has ran unsuccessfully twice for mayor and once for a council seat.  His term is up for re-election in 2011.

The vote for Finley came after about a 20 minute closed session.  He was approved unanimously.

Blockbuster Done In Ottawa

“Store Closing” and “Nothing Held Back” are some of the signage you’ll see at the Blockbuster Video in Ottawa.

The store is closing its doors at the corner of Route 23 and Kain Street.  The company announced a few months ago they were closing nearly 1,000 stores nationwide because of rising debt.  Video options like Redbox and Netflix have apparently cut into Blockbuster’s profits.

Ottawa still has a Family Video and Movie Gallery.

Ottawa Police Dispatch Center Renamed

A longtime employee of the Ottawa Police Department is now forever enshrined.

A dedication ceremony was held Friday in renaming the renovated Ottawa Police Dispatch Center to the “Maribeth Radtke Memorial Emergency 911 Center”.  Radtke died in October of 2007, just a few months after retiring from the police department.  She was a member of the 9-1-1 Board for the city and stayed on until the dispatch center was upgraded.

Radtke started at the Ottawa PD as a dispatcher in 1974.  She later moved onto becoming a records clerk.  Her last job was an administrative role as communications office manager.

Oglesby city council to get new commissioner

Oglesby is getting a new city council member.  Whoever replaces Dave Ernat on the council will also be appointed to the police and fire board.  The seat is up for re-election in April of 2011. 

Ernat had to leave the council after moving outside city limits. 

          Mayor Tony Torres will announce Ernat’s replacement during Monday’s council meeting at 7pm.

Illinois River receding, flood warning remains

Minor flooding along the Illinois River has affected the area along the river, but the river level in dropping.  The parking lot for the I and M Canal at La Salle has been underwater since the weekend.

          A flood warning continues.  As of early Monday morning, the river at La Salle was five feet over flood stage.  It’s expected to be back to under flood stage next weekend.