Streator Company Gets Multi-Million Dollar School Project

Happy with how they turned Wal-Mart into a temporary school, the Ottawa Elementary School Board is going with Vissering Construction again to help build a new school.

The board voted unanimously last night to hire Vissering Construction to do site work like paving and utilities and structural and masonry work for 8.9 million dollars for Central Intermediate School.  Among the three contractors who bid both contracts, Vissering was 500 thousand dollars lower than R.L. Sohol Contractors of Plainfield and 700 thousand dollars less than Sjostorm & Sons in Rockford.  Vissering’s bid is a million dollars under the engineer’s estimate.

Engineer for the district Jerry Guy said Vissering was “as close to being local as we can get” and said everyone he talked to gave them glowing reviews.  Superintendent Craig Doster estimated that by hiring Vissering, there could be 100 percent local workers on the job as opposed to maybe 80 percent local hires with out of town contractors.

The board is expected to open bids in October for Bid Package B which includes inside construction like flooring, electrical, plumbing, and doors.  The new school is projected to open in January of 2012.

Area construction zones affected by Labor Day schedules

Labor Day Weekend is a time to take a break from work.  That’ll be the case for some of the crews performing road work on some area highways.

While IDOT says work will be suspended starting 3pm Friday, some construction zones will remain down to one lane.

Some of those places include the work on I-80 where they’re replacing bridges in Bureau County, Route 23 and Route 52 near Harding, and Route 71 between Newark and Norway.

Work will be suspended through Monday night.

Number of credit hours being taken at IVCC remains high

The students at Illinois Valley Community College are spending more time in the classroom than they have in past years.

After a couple of weeks into the fall semester, college president Jerry Corcoran says overall headcount is about even with one year ago at the same time.  The number of credit hours being taken is about 2% higher than last year, the highest in IVCC history.

Enrollment at the new Ottawa Center campus is 367.

Corcoran says he’s very pleased.

Area schools receiving federal dollars for fresh produce

Five area schools have been chosen to get federal money for fresh fruits and vegetables.

DePue Elementary School, Northwest Elementary and Lincoln Jr. High in La Salle, Circuit Breaker School in Seneca and Oakland Park Elementary in Streator are among the 188 schools picked for the “Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program”.  The program provides fresh produce throughout the school day.

Area schools will get about $50 per student.

Tri County Fair opens Friday

The county fair season continues with the Tri County Fair in Mendota.

The fair opens noon Friday.  It includes exhibit halls, food stands and carnival rides.  There’s megacross racing at 7pm.

Admission and parking are free.  Events continue through Monday.

Investigators release name of woman that died after ambulance call

If you were following the story of the woman who died after an ambulance was called to a home in La Salle, her name has been released.

30 year old Sue Miske was pronounced dead after being taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital Tuesday night.

Investigators don’t believe it was foul play.  An autopsy has been performed.  They’re waiting on toxicology results.

Cubs Pitcher Steps Up For Streator

The Cubs are joining their south side neighbors and pitching in to help Streator recover from the June 5^th tornado.

Cubs pitcher Sean Marshall thru Major League Baseball’s “Baseball Tomorrow Fund” are giving a five thousand dollar grant to Streator Youth Baseball for field repairs and new equipment.  Marshall will present the check to Streator officials during a pre-game ceremony September 4^th.

That same day, fans are invited to donate new and used equipment outside Wrigley Field starting at 10am.  These donations will also go to Streator Youth Baseball.

Ottawa Store Hiring

The site of a new Goodwill store in Ottawa will be busy with job seekers today.

Store officials are hosting a job fair at the new store from 9 until five.  The store is on West Stevenson Road across from Wal-Mart.

Goodwill officials will do interviews for both part-time and full-time positions.  Some jobs that are available include assistant store manager, sales associates and position supervisors.

Over 40 jobs are expected to be filled.  The store is expected to open this fall.

Church Consolidation Protestors Want To See The Bishop

The group called “Save the Catholic Parishes of Streator” met last night in Streator City Hall and began plans to make a trip to the Catholic Diocese headquarters in Peoria.  They hope to take a petition with at least 400 signatures in opposition of a consolidation plan.  A date for the protest is to be determined.

Reverend Monsignor John Prendergast sent a letter out to parishioners several weeks ago saying that Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony’s, and St. Casimir will cease to exist in late September.  They’re being consolidated into the new St. Michael the Archangel Parish of Streator.  Prendergast says St. Stephen’s will remain as the sole worship center for the parish until a new church is built.

Prendergast is expected to talk with parishioners September 13^th at St. Stephens.