LPHS approves new scoreboard bid

You’ll notice something different next season in LP High School’s main gym- new black scoreboards.

Nevco Inc. of Greenville offered the lowest of three bids at $38,000.  The school board accepted the bid last night.

Greg Sarver is the athletic director.  He says they’re the same company who did the scoreboards at the football stadium and the east gym so the controls will be the same.

The scoreboard is being paid for using life-safety money.  A message board is being paid for using Coca-cola sponsorship money.

Patch, paint, and fill- orders for Peru pool

Patching, painting and filling- those are the plans for the Peru pool.  Discussion regarding whether or not to move ahead with preparing the pool for the approaching season dominated Monday night’s Peru city council meeting.

It’s clear Mayor Scott Harl doesn’t believe it’s in their best interest to begin preparing the pool.  He says he wants to wait to hear a follow-up report from the firm that’s been evaluating the pool and bathhouse.  He says if the aldermen read a letter from the city’s attorney Doug Schweirckert they would see what they’re opening themselves up to.

Williams Architects last week presented the first part of their study.  They upset council members and community members when they said the pool and bathhouse were not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Virginia Graeme Baker Act.

Alderman Jack O’Beirne says the grate in the pool is in compliance with the federal VGB Act and that they have a certificate to prove it.

They’ll need to submit drain information to the Illinois Department of Public Health by June 1.  The department’s sent a letter saying they’ll inspect the pool sometime this season.  O’Beirne suspects they’re coming because someone in the community complained.

In the meantime, the pool will be patched, painted and filled following a vote from the council Alderman Ron Wren was the only no vote.  The vote doesn’t say they’ll open the pool once it’s filled.

As for who will be the person working with the architects as they try to get the study completed and the pool ready, that’s yet to be decided.  More discussion will likely come next Monday.

New Principal Picked At Ottawa High School

The future principal of Ottawa High School won’t have to go very far from his current job.

Superintendent Matt Winchester says Mike Cushing has verbally accepted the offer to become Ottawa High School principal starting next school year.  The hire will be officially voted on next month.

Right now Cushing is principal at Lincoln Elementary in Ottawa.  He was picked from 14 applicants and three finalists for the high school job.

Mike Tresnak is the current interim high school principal but will go back to being assistant principal.  He did apply for the principal’s job.

Crack Cocaine Arrest In Ottawa

An Ottawa man is accused of selling crack cocaine to an undercover informant.

Ottawa drug detectives say they arrested Joshawa Farrell yesterday near his home on East Michigan Street for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.  Farrell allegedly was set up to deliver crack cocaine to an informant in exchange for a hundred dollars.

After the set up was completed, Farrell was taken to the county jail.

Foul Play Could Be Reason For Area House Fire

A late night fire Monday in Bureau County has officials thinking arson.

Firefighters from across Bureau County responded to a house fire fire around 10:30 Monday night in rural Ohio.  The home was fully engulfed when they arrived.  The person living at the home was at work when the fire started.  The two-story house is a complete loss.  It’s owned by Albright Farms.

The state fire marshall’s office has been called in to investigate the cause.  Firefighters were on scene for about four hours.

Wild Bill Hickock Day coming to Troy Grove

One of the area’s most famous and infamous native sons is being celebrated later this month.

Officials in Troy Grove are planning a “Wild Bill Hickock Day” on Sunday, May 30^th at the city park across from Wild Bill’s monument.  Besides food and kids games, organizers plan on offering horse and wagon rides, live shootout re-enactments, and gun and photo exhibits.

The event runs from 11am until 3pm.

Wild Bill was born in Troy Grove on May 27^th, 1837.

La Salle Elementary registration fees increasing

With the school year not quite over for most grade schools, you’re probably not thinking ahead to the next year.  But La Salle Elementary Board members are.

Tuesday night the board approved a $10 registration fee increase for their three schools.

To offset the increase, some activity fees are being eliminated.  Parents will still be paying for band instrument rental and gym uniforms and locks.

The registration fees will be $35 for Jackson, $70 for Northwest, and $75 for Lincoln.  Registration is in August.