Peru Man Sentenced For Hurting Baby

A Peru man is off to prison after admitting to injuring a baby last year.

22 year old Joshua Alexander was given nine years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal on the felony charge of aggravated battery of a child.  He admitted to becoming frustrated with a baby and yanking it out of a crib, injuring the child’s arms.

Alexander is getting credit for 264 days already served in the county jail.

County Extension Offices Could Close

There are probably a lot of uneasy extension office workers these days.

State extension officials announced today a plan to cut 46 county extension director positions and consolidate extension offices from 77 to 30 because of state budget cuts.  Which directors get cut and what offices get consolidated isn’t known yet according to La Salle County Extension Director Steve Malinsky.

Malinsky says his office in Ottawa has only three full-time workers including himself.  They have 12 part-timers.  Malinsky says his office already downsized a few years ago when they didn’t replace employees.

Malinsky and other extension directors are being asked to propose a unit configuration by May 10^th.  By May 19^th, the state will let extension directors know if their proposal is accepted or needs to be changed.

Opening Date For Ottawa Culvers

Culvers will start serving up its famous frozen custard in Ottawa late next month.

A ribbon cutting ceremony opening the new Culver’s on Etna Road is planned for Friday, May 28^th at nine in the morning.  The restaurant is just off Route 23 and is being built along with a new Fairfield Inn on the same piece of land.

The land still has space for two other possible restaurants.

Outlet Fire At Princeton News Trib Building

Power is out at the News Tribune building in Princeton after a basement outlet caught fire.

Princeton Fire Chief John Petrakis says they got the fire call just after 10:30 this morning.  He says the fire was out by time they arrived.  The fire was contained to the exterior wall around the outlet.

Petrakis told the building owners to keep power off until repairs can be made.

La Salle launches redeveloped website

Next time you’re wondering how to reach the La Salle City Clerk’s office or public works department, you can pass over the phone book for your computer.

The city’s launched an updated website that includes contact information, meeting schedules and agendas and other random information.  Economic Development Director Don Alesky says they talked with all of the department heads while redeveloping the site.

He says this is part one of probably three parts.  The next step would probably include permit forms and applications.  Bill pay could be made available in few more years.

The website is www.lasalle-il.gov.

County Against Quinn Idea To Hold Back Funds

The La Salle County Board doesn’t like some of what Governor Pat Quinn is trying to sell.

The board Thursday passed a resolution opposing the governor’s plan to reduce the amount of income tax revenue that the state gives back to counties.  According to the resolution, Governor Quinn wants to hold back 30 percent of the usual income tax distribution to counties to help add 300 million dollars to the state budget.  If the money was withheld, it’s estimated to cost La Salle County 2.6 million dollars in revenue.

The board is sending out the letter of opposition to the governor, legislative leaders in the house and senate and all lawmakers representing La Salle County.