Utica turns off water tower lights to save money

Lights are up at the new water tower in Utica, but they’re not being used. After getting power bills of around $500 to light up the tower, the Utica Village Board has decided to turn the lights off permanently. The village’s engineer said they could get a timer system for the lights for $1200 but trustees are willing just to keep the lights off. Some trustees said they’d be willing to look at a timer once the planned industrial park actually starts up.

Alleged Casey’s Robber Is Indicted

The alleged robber of Casey’s in La Salle has officially been charged with the heist.

30 year old Wesley Villarreal of La Salle is charged with armed robbery.  He was arrested November 2^nd for robbing the Casey’s General Store on Route 6 in La Salle.  He allegedly robbed the store on October 23^rd.

Villarreal is being held at the La Salle County Jail on 200 thousand dollars bond.

Utica Moves Forward With New Ballfield

Village trustees want to begin seeding this fall so that the new field at Neighbors Park is ready in the spring.  The park is near the old water tower off Norman Drive.

At a meeting last night, trustees voted to buy dirt and rent a chipper for the new ballfield at a cost not to exceed $3,450.  They’re also buying a new swing set for the park and fertilizer.  The swing set isn’t supposed to cost over $1,600 and the fertilizer a hundred dollars at most.

Engineer for the village Kevin Heitz says little league officials approached the village about needing more practice space than just the existing baseball field.

Swine Flu Clinic Today In Ottawa

The first of three swine flu vaccine clinics scheduled in La Salle County in the next week is today.

Depending on vaccine availability, clinics are planned for today at the Ottawa Knights of Columbus, November 17^th at Streator Knights of Columbus and November 19^th at Mendota Civic Center.  All clinics go from two until seven.

The clinics are walk-in with no appointment needed.  The vaccines will still be given to only people considered to be in the “high risk groups”.

Ottawa High Makes Up Day Lost In Strike

One down, 15 to go.

One of 16 days that Ottawa High School students have to make up because of the teacher’s strike was yesterday.  Besides Veteran’s Day, class at OTHS will also be in session during the Martin Luther King Jr., Lincoln and Pulaski holidays.  They’ll also have shorter Easter and Christmas Breaks.

The school is having its Senior Sports Night tonight.  Seniors who were involved in sports like football and golf had their seasons ended because of the strike.

Cherry Students Learn About Mine Disaster

About 60 children at Cherry Grade School took a trip to Springfield Tuesday to learn about the history of their village.

Students were checking out the new exhibit about the Cherry Mine Disaster at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.  Students have been doing various projects about the memorial that are on display at the school.

The exhibit is on display thru March.