I V U-Way and NFL promotion

September tenth marks the start of a new annual United Way campaign and the start of the NFL season. During the local football games that night, LP, Mendota, St. Bede and Hall will be tossing mini-footballs with numbers on them into the stands. If you catch one…go to the website listed on the ball at 9:13am on September 13th to see if you’ve won a prize. According to Andrea Walters of the “United Way of the Illinois Valley” the United Way and the NFL are addressing together the problem of obesity. Two websites have been created urging kids to get outside and play one hour a day. The websites are NFL Rush dot com slash play sixty and Kids get fit dot org.

Easter Seals at JJ’s Pub in Ottawa

How much in proceeds can Easter Seals earn Thursday night at JJ’s Pub? That depends on you. Drawings, raffles and auctions along with food and drink will fill the three hour event this Thursday night in Ottawa. Sports items, a private wine tasting for twenty, Rivermen tickets, theatre tickets, a group self defense class and gift baskets will be raffled or auctioned away. Admission is twenty dollars which covers beer, wine and soda appetizers. The proceeds will benefit Easter Seals of LaSalle and Bureau counties which provides services to children with or without special needs and their families including development screenings, autisum resource services and respite care. JJ’s Sports Pub and Grill is at 104 West Main in Ottawa.

Gateway phone-a-thon

The annual Gateway Services “phone-a-thon” has a heightened urgency about it this year. Chief Executive officer, Jeff Dean, told “The News Tribune” their goal during this fundraiser is 40-thousand dollars. Dean says the state provides ninety percent of “Gateway’s” funding…but Dean says state payments are being reduced. And, with the recession…expenses are going up and public contributions are down. Dean says “Gateway” , after all adjustments including “downsizing employees”, will likely be three hundred thousand dollars short compared to last year. Gateway Services provides transportation and other services to disabled citizens in the area.

Red Cross Walk Run Bike

You can help out the Illinois Valley Chapter American Red Cross while getting some fresh air. The annual Walk, Run, Bike is tomorrow afternoon at Baker Lake in Peru. Registration is at noon. It begins at one. 21 teams have signed up so far and more teams or individuals can sign up tomorrow. You can go around the lake as many times as you like. They’re hoping to raise 37 thousand dollars. Proceeds help their general operations.

Parade for the All – Stars

Baseball and softball players in Peru are ending a successful summer season with a parade. The state champion Peru Senior League Boys Baseball team along with the all-star girls softball team and the 11 year olds all-star baseball team are meeting at the Peru Eagle’s Lodge today at 12:45. From there the parade will take Route 6 east to West Street, north to Washington Park. Teams will be introduced and Mayor Scott Harl will say a few words. The Central States trophy will be presented to the city so it can be displayed at city hall.

Egg recall – close ties

There are some close ties between two Iowa farms that together recalled more than half a billion potentiallytainted eggs. They share suppliers of chickens and feed. And a businessman who owns one farm also owns a company that sells supplies to the other. Austin “Jack” DeCoster has been cited for numerous health, safety and employment violations over the years.

Tornado relief Benefit in Streator

It’s been almost three months since the tornado that tore up Streator and Magnolia and the relief is still coming. What’s billed as “Illinois Valley Tornado Relief Benefit” will be held at 10am today at the Moose Lodge in Streator. Live music, beer and food, kids games and a silent auction will be offered. Donation is $5 and children under 5 will get in free. Toys for kids affected by the tornado will also be accepted. The Moose Lodge is on Skelgas Road in Streator.

Toluca man crashes motorcycle

40-year old Eric Shane is in St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after crashing his motorcycle west of Streator at 12:43am Sunday. LaSalle County Sheriff’s office says Shane left East 15 road, ¾ of a mile south of Route 18, traveling better than 500 feet off road before stopping. Shane, from Toluca, was first taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator then flown to Peoria. He has several charges against him: DUI, Improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and having no insurance, He was given a notice to appear.