La Salle moves forward with having an old home demolished

Look around just about any town and you could come up with a list of homes that need to be torn down.  In La Salle, city officials have jumped through the legal hoops and have received permission to have 933 Fourth Street demolished.

The city council Monday night hired Boehm Brothers of Peru to knock down the house, haul away the debris and fill in the hole for just under $8,000.

The city won’t own the lot and they’re not sure who owns it.

Shopper bus riders tell city officials why the service is needed

After 38 years of walking to and from work in downtown La Salle. Lois Humpage says she’s grateful to have the shopper bus to allow her to keep her independence and visit businesses and offices around the Illinois Valley.

Humpage was one of a couple of bus riders trying to convince La Salle city council Monday night that the bus in important to the 15 or so people, mostly seniors, who use it.

The city council is considering discontinuing the service that costs about $10,000 a year.

Humpage says she willing to pay more to use it.  Riders typically pay 25 cents a ride.

Alderman George Green says not to take it personal if they stop offering the bus.  He says they need to lookout for the every tax payer.  He also thinks they can talk with Peru, who owns the bus, and see if there are ways to make it more affordable for the city.

Frost Advisory Extended

It’s going to be another cold night across the Illinois Valley.

The National Weather Service  has issued a Frost Advisory for Bureau and Putnam counties from three until nine Tuesday morning and from three until seven for La Salle County.  Temperatures towards sunrise could be at freezing level or below in some valleys and open areas.

Cold, sensitive plants could be damaged by the frost.

Traffic Delays Expected In Ottawa

There could be traffic issues the next couple days on the south side of Ottawa.

The Route 71 and Route 23 intersection at the south end of Veteran’s Memorial Bridge will be repaved from seven until ten in the morning this Tuesday and Wednesday.  Its part of a larger resurfacing project on Route 71 from Ottawa to Utica.

IDOT says to expect traffic delays during the resurfacing work.

Peru company expanding to build parts for wind turbines

Every wind turbine needs to be held together with big nuts and bolts.  A company in Peru plans to be a place making those parts.

Unytite is building a 14,000 square foot addition to accommodate the production of nuts and bolts to be used in wind turbines.  They’ll be able to use some of the same equipment they have on hand but a state grant worth about $874,000 is helping pay for the retooling and a new press.

Company officials were joined this morning by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Warren Bibley to explain their plans.

Construction of the addition has already begun and should be completed by the end of the year.  They hope to have the modified production line up and running next spring.

They plan to expand their workforce by five employees in the first year, adding up to a total of 20 by 2013.  The new production line is also expected to boost sales which took a hit with the recession.

Local Rider Flown To Peoria After Crash

A biker from Princeton is in critical condition after crashing.

Roger Fleming was initially taken to Perry Memorial Hospital after losing control of his motorcycle on the Wyanet/Walnut Blacktop Saturday afternoon.  Deputies say Fleming flipped the bike end-over-end while riding through curves.

No one else was hurt.

Former area educator dies

A man who spent his career in education, most recently as the superintendent for the Henry- Senachwine School District, has unexpectedly died.

Thomas Urban had a heart attack and died Friday in Bloomington.

Urban had been a music teacher for 13 years before becoming the principal in the Sparland School District.  He then served as Deer Park Superintendent.  He later became Superintendent at Henry Schools retiring in June of this year.

He was 55 years old.  Services have been scheduled.  You can find out more during AM 1220 WLPO In Memorium.

Shopper bus back on La Salle Council agenda

The fate of the shopper bus in La Salle could be determined Monday night.  The bus owned by Peru and shared with La Salle takes mostly senior citizens to area banks and stores during weekdays.

Some city officials in La Salle are wondering if the service is worth about $10,000 a year.

The city council is scheduled to talk about their contract with Peru and could decide tonight to give a 30-day cancellation notice.

The La Salle Council meets at 7pm.

Hydrant flushing affecting parts of Peru

Careful before you start a load of whites today.  Workers in Peru began flushing hydrants yesterday.  Flushing will continue through Friday.  They’ll be flushing from 6p.m. til 2a.m.  If you experience any rusty water please let your water run for a while until it clears up.

State of the City Thursday in Ottawa

Want to know what’s shaking in Ottawa?  Make plans to be at Pitstick Pavilion Thursday.

Mayor Bob Eschbach will give his yearly “State of the City Address”.  It’s sponsored by the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Eschbach will give a progress update of projects that have started in the past year and what’s all in the works for the upcoming year.  Lunch begins at 11:30am with Eschbach taking to the podium around 12:15pm.

Call the chamber for tickets.  They’re $20 per person if you’re not a chamber member.

You’re asked to register by the end of Monday.