New Unemployment Rates Are Out

There’s good news and bad news when it comes to the latest unemployment rates.  Good news is that La Salle County’s jobless rate is down from last month.  Bad news is the rate is still seventh highest in Illinois.

La Salle County’s August jobless rate is 12.5 percent, down from 13.3 percent in July.  The August jobless rate last August was 12.4 percent.

Bureau County’s unemployment rate went down from 11.2 percent in July to 11.1 percent in August.  The jobless rate is up six-tenths of a percent from last year.

Putnam County’s jobless rate went up from 11.4 percent in July to 11.8 percent in August.  On a positive note, it’s well below the 14.9 percent unemployment figure of August 2009.

Illinois’ August unemployment rate is 10.1 percent.

ARTiniFEST Moved Inside

Tonight’s March of Dimes ARTiniFEST is moving indoors away from the gusty wind.

The fundraiser has moved from the Heritage Harbor Marina to an indoors location at the Heritage Harbor Quest Building off Route 6 and Canal Road in Ottawa.  This building used to be a Budweiser warehouse.

Mixing martinis with art has proved to be a successful fundraiser for the March of Dimes.  Last year’s event raised over 13 thousand dollars.  Tonight’s festivities begin at 5.

Woman’s body found in field near Wenona

Investigators are trying to figure out what killed a woman whose body was found dead in cornfield near Wenona.

Marshall County Sheriff’s deputies were called Wednesday afternoon to a field south of the Super 8 Motel and Pizza Hut for the badly decomposed body.

Investigators think the body had been there since spring.  Found near the woman was a bag of personal items and cash.  They believe she was middled-aged.

Her name isn’t being released as an investigation continues.  An autopsy is pending.

Peru Library Director happy with her replacement

A change in leadership is coming to the Peru Public Library and the outgoing library director says she couldn’t be happier with the library boards’ decision.

Library Director Mary Jean Hauger says Charm Ruhnke brings a lot of experience.  Hauger is leaving next month to work with her husband.  She has been director for three years.  Hauger says the Peru Library is really lucky to be getting Ruhnke.

Hauger says Ruhnke is from Missouri but had been working in southern Illinois.  She’ll start October 4

Stores prepare for appliance rebate program

In another attempt to stimulate the economy, you can receive 15% off appliance purchases Friday.

The state is again holding an appliance rebate program where all Energy Star qualified washers, refrigerators, dishwashers or freezers will have a 15% discount until the program’s money runs out.  Rebates are only available if you are replacing an existing, less efficient appliance.

John’s Service and Sales are among the businesses tapped into the appliance rebate program.  Besides the 15% discount, the Oglesby business is also offering free local delivery and a free, three-year parts and labor warranty for orders $399 and up.

The rebate program lasts until the money dries up, which was within hours during the last event.

Spending increases included in LPHS budget

Increases in health care costs, salaries and a growing enrollment has LP High School expecting to spend more money this year than last.

The school has budgeted to spend nearly $24 million this year, compared to the $19.7 million that was actually spent last year.

The budget approved Wednesday night by the school has an estimated deficit of $212,000.