Blago lawyer: Ex-governor shouldn’t testify

CHICAGO (AP) – An attorney for Rod Blagojevich says he does not think the ousted governor should take the stand in his own defense.

Sam Adam Sr. said Tuesday after court adjourned that there is a disagreement among Blagojevich’s lawyers. Adam said he feels the former governor should not testify because he does not believe the government has proven its case, and that the real issue is whether to call any defense witnesses.

His son, Sam Adam Jr., said he thinks Blagojevich should testify because attorneys promised in their opening statement that he would. He says the ultimate decision is Blagojevich’s.

Both Blagojevich brothers have pleaded not guilty to a scheme to sell or trade President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat.

Riordan Pool slide closed after inspection

You can swim all you like at Riordan Pool in Ottawa but you won’t be able to use the slide.  The slide has been shut off for the remainder of the season because a pump for the slide doesn’t meet state standards.

Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut says the problem was discovered during an inspection Friday.  Eichelkraut says other pool drains were updated before the start of the season but they weren’t aware of the slide changes.

He says correcting the pump is nothing major, but requires the pool be drained.  Rather than do that now, they’ll wait until the end of this summer.

Grant will help IVCC’s wind energy technician program

A program at Illinois Valley Community College that will train students in alternative energy is receiving a $560,000 grant.

The grant is from the National Science Foundation.  It will help the college’s wind energy technician program which begins this fall.

The grant will include money for some laboratory equipment for a new Community Technology Center.

While students will be learning about wind energy, the college will be conducting their own wind power experiment.  Using a$30,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, they’re conducting a wind feasibility study.  They want to learn if it’s worth it to build a wind tower on campus.

Peru considers federal road grant

A competitive federal transportation grant has Peru officials thinking it could be worth a shot.

The Tiger II grant would provide an 80/20 match for road work on eligible city streets.

Chamlin and Associates has drawn up a list of 10 areas, approximately 10 to 12 miles of road that would be included.  It’s estimated to cost between one to two million dollars.

Some streets suggests are Shooting Park Road between Airport Road and Church Street and West Street from 7^th to 4^th.

A preliminary application is due Monday.  The final application is due August 23.

The council hasn’t taken formal action on the grant, but they could at a later meeting.  In the meantime, engineer Roger Chamlin says they continue to work on the application.

Arrest Made In La Salle Fire

La Salle Police say a man on parole set fire to his own home last night.

29 year old Joshua Hoyt is facing a residential arson charge after allegedly setting fire to a one-story home at 237 Tonti Street.  A La Salle Police officer says Hoyt lives at the home with other people but was the only person home when the fire started around 10:30 last night.  Hoyt will be taken to the county jail later today.

La Salle Assistant Fire Chief Chuck Lishewski says the fire began in a back bedroom of the single family home.  They had it knocked out in 10 minutes.  Peru Fire assisted at the scene while Utica Fire covered La Salle’s station.

An investigator with the State Fire Marshall’s office was called.

Water Bills Going Up In Mendota

Now is a good time to begin practicing water conservation in Mendota.  Residential water rates are set to increase after a decision by the city council last night.

You could see an extra 10 or so dollars on the bill that will be due in September.

Alderman Walter Weiland, chairman of the water and sewer committee, says the increase is not related to the new water tower that’s being built, but would be used for a new well and filtration system.

Garbage rates could be the next item on your city bill to increase.  The item was on the agenda but tabled until the next council meeting.

Thanks to the Newstribune for information in this story.

Oglesby Getting Loan For New 911 Equipment

Computers and lightning don’t get along well.  The Oglesby dispatch center found this out during a storm last spring.

Around 20 thousand dollars in damage was done to the city’s 911 equipment during a lightning strike.  While patchwork repairs were made, the 911 Board and City Council have agreed to purchase brand new equipment.

The council last night approved the 911 Board going out for a 161 thousand dollar loan to be paid back over 10 years.  Public Safety Commissioner Tom Porter says the 911 Board makes about four thousand dollars a month thru phone surcharges so he’s confident they’ll handle the loan.