La Salle council approves land purchase, loan and bonds for park

A short-term loan and General Obligation Bonds needed to expand La Salle Rotary Park have been approved by the city council.  The council Monday night gave the okay to the loan and bond issuance which are for $300,000 each.

It covers the price of buying land from Illinois Cement.  The city needed to make the purchase soon so they could use a state grant that reimburses them for half of the purchase cost.

It also allows them to take the next step, applying for another grant to further develop the par.

The loan is to be paid back over one year.  It’s through Hometown National Bank.

Man Killed By Train In Streator

According to investigators, 57 year old David Hefler was pronounced dead at St. Mary’s Hospital after getting hit by a train in Streator just before 11 o’clock Monday.

The accident happened as Hefler was walking across tracks near Main Street.  The tracks were closed for about an hour after the accident.

Hefler’s death is still under investigation.

Seattle Sutton Involved In Minor Accident

Seattle Sutton of Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating fame was in a fender bender Friday morning on Stevenson Road on the north end of Ottawa.

According to Ottawa Police, Sutton hit the back of David Cheli’s car which was stopped for traffic.  Cheli is from Joliet, Sutton lives in Marseilles.

No one was hurt or ticketed.

Man accused of pushing Spring Valley mayor

A bad day on the water or a beef to pick with the mayor of Spring Valley?

Police arrested John Porikos of Spring Valley after they say he pushed Mayor Cliff Banks while at Barto Landing and then recklessly drove away Friday morning.

Porikos was called to the police station for questioning.  Police say he arrived but chose not to speak to the police.  He was arrested for battery and reckless driving and was released after posting bond.

Area Alderman Killed In Motorcycle Crash

A city alderman in Sandwich is dead after a weekend motorcycle crash.

51 year old Robert Hyatt was pronounced dead Saturday night after being taken to Valley West Community Hospital.  DeKalb County Investigators say that Hyatt hit a curb, entered a field and was thrown from his bike.  The crash remains under investigation.

Hyatt was a two-term alderman.

Council could approve land purchase for La Salle Rotary Park

The next step in developing La Salle Rotary Park is buying land from Illinois Cement.  The city council tonight will help out the effort if they approve the purchase of the land, a short term loan, and $300,000 in General Obligation Bonds.

The council is also scheduled to look at the pay scale for the volunteer fire fighters and a contract with the La Salle Professional Fire Fighters union.

The council meets at 7pm Monday.