Proposed zoning changes would affect tattoo parlors

Tattoo artists wanting to open a shop in La Salle could soon face new restrictions when deciding where to locate.

A proposed zoning ordinance change would put more restrictions on where tattoo and body piercing businesses could operate.

A change to the zoning ordinance requires a public hearing followed by a recommendation by the plan commission and zoning board, and the council’s approval.

Tattoo shops already in business would be grandfathered in.

After a year of pay freezes, council approves wage increases

After a year without a pay increase salaried, appointed City of La Salle employees are getting a 3% raise.  The city council approved it Monday night.

Affected jobs are non-union.

Though, the council last night accepted a two-year contract with AFSCME Local No. 2823.  It affects roughly 35 employees including the public works department, dispatchers and the city clerk’s staff.  The union agreed to a pay freeze last year.  The new deal would include a pay raise similar to the non-union workers for both years.

Mayor Unsure of Reported Lease Deal

Oglesby Mayor Tony Torres isn’t ready to celebrate just yet the reopening of the Vermilion River in Oglesby.

Torres says he heard about a supposed lease deal between the DNR and Buzzi Unicem through the media, leaving him miffed that he wasn’t told about any kind of deal being reached.  Torres says he plans to contact State Representative Frank Mautino and DNR Director Mark Miller today to find out more.

Mautino announced late last week that the state and Buzzi had come to an agreement where the state takes over the cement company’s stretch of the river to open it back up to recreation.  Torres says he’s interested to know what all Buzzi has to agree to do before signing off on the deal.

Buzzi Unicem closed its stretch of the Vermilion last year after a couple drownings.

Entire Village Asked To Boil Water

A major water main break happened Monday in McNabb.

A boil order is in effect for the next two days for the entire village after construction crews hit a water line while doing sewer work.

Chris Parra with TEST inc. says it’ll take a couple days to do all the testing to make sure the water is back to normal.

Contamination Cleanup Still Going In Ottawa

If you had the choice to do a short-term fix for 210 thousand dollars or a long-term fix for five million dollars, which would you choose?  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is going the cheap route in Ottawa.

EPA officials have announced a change in direction for cleaning up a radium contaminated site near Walsh Park in Ottawa.  Officials say they’ve found contamination deeper in the ground than first thought and to keep digging it up would cost five million.  They instead want to put a deed restriction on the contaminated site so no building can happen and they will continue to evaluate the ground water.  Officials say the radium doesn’t pose a threat to people.  It’s from the old radium dial plants in town.

A public hearing about the contamination cleanup is May 19^th at 6:30 inside the Ottawa City Hall.

Walkers raise over $21,000 dollars during fundraiser at Baker Lake

Walkers and teams raised over $21,000 for Arthritis Foundation during the The Arthritis Walk for People & Pets.   The walk at Baker Lake Saturday morning brought in more money than last years.

The Miller Group Charitable Trust sponsored it.  Miller Group Media includes AM 1220 WLPO, 99.3 WAJK, 96.5 The Wolf, the Newstribune and Agrinews.

Suicide prevention workshop coming to PCHS

Over one million people commit suicide worldwide each year. There’s a workshop coming up at Putnam County High School that’s trying to lower that number.

All adults are invited to attend whether you have a child in school or not. The workshop’s goal is to improve suicide awareness by educating you on what the warning signs are..

The workshop will be from 6-8pm Tuesday in the Putnam County High School auditorium. Admission is free.

Labor of Love applications being accepted

If you know someone that’s going through tough times financially, they might be eligible for free home repairs.

September 18^th is the starting date for United Way of Illinois Valley’s 19^th annual Labor of Love program, but they’re taking applications for home repairs now.

Homeowners needing help can go to www.unitedwayiv.org to find a link to the application. Applications must be received by June 30^th.