Severe Storms Possible

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9 tonight for La Salle, Grundy and Livingston Counties.

There’s a slight chance of severe storms into the evening.  Some storms could produce damaging wind, hail and heavy rain leading to flooding.

Besides the storms, the dangerous heat remains with heat index values approaching 100.

Dump Truck Crashes Near La Salle

A dump truck driver lost his load yesterday while on I-80 near La Salle.

State Police say that Lanny Schumaker of Missouri was eastbound on Interstate 80 just east of La Salle when a tire blew out.  The dump truck veered of the interstate, went through a guardrail and overturned in a ditch.  Fourteen tons of asphalt Schumaker was hauling spilled into the ditch.

Schumaker wasn’t hurt or ticketed.  The accident backed up traffic for a bit yesterday afternoon.

County Fair Rolls Along

The annual La Salle County 4-H Fair continues today in Ottawa.

The fair got going this morning with project judging before a Cloverbud Parade.  Activities the rest of the day include a Cat Show, Dog Show and Big Hat Rodeo.

The La Salle County 4-H Fair ends Sunday afternoon with a Parade of Excellence.

Area Health Department Cuts Staff

A lack of state payments has the Bureau County Health Department operating with a smaller staff.

Health Department Director Diana Rawlings told the county board Tuesday  night that four full-time and one part-time employee have been laid off.  In addition, two nurses left for other jobs leaving the health department 20 staff members.

Rawlings says their core programs will continue to be provided.

Thanks to the Newstribune for information in this story.

Buda Mayor Steps Down

Another area town is looking for a mayor after their elected one surprisingly resigned.

Weeks after former Oglesby Mayor Tony Torres abruptly resigned mid-meeting, Buda Mayor Lloyd May did the same thing this past Monday.  May seemed to hint that he wasn’t liked by the board or people in Buda.  He was elected to his first term in April of 2008.

Buda Finance Commissioner Mike Nelson will serve as interim mayor.  The board plans to meet tonight in a special meeting to talk about picking a new mayor and presumably a new village attorney after Dan Tracy resigned.

Tracy has been Buda’s village attorney for 17 years.

No Pool Talk In Peru

If you were looking forward to a discussion about the Peru swimming pool options, you’ll have to wait a couple of weeks.

The city council tabled the topic last night.  They hope to have representatives from Williams Aquatics- the company studying the pool- in at the July 28 regular council meeting.

The architects have provided several rough drafts on some possible options.  The options talk about renovating the bathhouse and concession stand but not using the current pool.