Garbage Crews Accused Of Being Too Loud

Everyone wants their garbage picked up at a decent time, but some people in Ottawa think waste haulers are getting at it too early.

Commissioner Ed Whitney says he’s been getting more and more complaints that crews are picking up garbage between three and five in the morning at businesses, banging around dumpsters and doors.  People living near the businesses complain they’re being woken up by the garbage workers.

The council placed on file a proposal by Whitney saying garbage crews have to be at least a thousand feet away from a residence if they’re working between 9pm to 7am.

Since the idea was just placed on file, Whitney says he plans to talk to the city’s three garbage companies before the next council meeting.

Princeton man dies after weekend motorcycle

Two days after crashing his motorcycle in Bureau County, a man from Princeton has died.

Roger Fleming was pronounced dead Monday afternoon in St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  Investigators say he lost control of his motorcycle while on the Wyanet/Walnut Blacktop Saturday.

Mendota deals with emerald ash borer disease

A disease that’s been killing ash trees across Illinois has been found in Mendota.

The Emerald Ash Borer disease has been found in Mendota’s ash trees.   Carl Ambler is the superintendent of streets and parks.  He says they’ll continue to remove the trees as they die.

If you have one that is dying, you should call the city.  You’ll have to pay for the removal.  The trees should be incinerated as soon as possible to prevent the spread of the insect.

Thanks to the Newstribune for information in this story.

La Salle hires contractor to extend water and sewer lines for new wastewater plant

A new wastewater treatment plant being built to serve the far east side of La Salle means they’ll need to extend water and sewer lines.

L.A. Sites of Frankfurt has been hired to extend the water line for an estimated $333,000 and the sewer line for $881,000.  The sewer line will need to be taken under Interstate 39.

Work should begin soon.

School District Closes To Remember Former Superintendent

Classes are canceled tomorrow at the Henry-Senachwine School District so that students and staff can attend funeral services for 55-year old Thomas Urban.

Urban died unexpectedly after a heart attack Friday in Bloomington.  He had just retired as Henry-Senachwine superintendent in June.  Prior to that job, he taught music, was a principal at Sparland School and was superintendent at Deer Park School.

Services are Wednesday at 9:30am inside the Mueller Funeral Home in Peru followed by a 10 o’clock mass at St. Mary’s Church in Peru.

Pair allegedly steal SUV not knowing child was inside

Streator Police say a young child was in the wrong place at the wrong time but is okay after getting caught up in a SUV theft.

Investigator Deon Gotch says two men, one white and one black stole a Ford Expedition Sunday evening in the 600 block of Park Street.  The men drove about six blocks before they noticed a child was in the back seat.  When they saw the child, Gotch says the suspects ditched the car and ran.  The child got out eventually, walked to someone’s home and was eventually reunited with their family unharmed.

The men are said to be around 20 years old and tall.  The white man has a tattoo on the back of his neck.

If you have information, call the Streator Police Department.

Area Inmate’s Death Ruled Accidental

An inmate found unresponsive recently in the Grundy County Jail died of asphyxiation.  That’s according to Grundy County Coroner John Callahan.

Callahan says Robert Awalt was found in his cell September 20^th.  He died hours later at Morris Community Hospital.  Callahan says Awalt had a swallowed a sock that cut off his oxygen flow.  Awalt apparently had a history of seizures and Callahan says it’s not unheard of for people with seizures to put objects in their mouth.

Awalt’s death has been ruled accidental.  Callahan says a history of alcoholism also played a role in the inmates’ death.

Oglesby Council Wants Sit Down With IDOT

While the Oglesby City Council and IDOT agree that a new intersection at Columbia Avenue and Walnut Street benefits the city, they’re struggling to see eye-to-eye on some aspects of the improvements.

As the council was set to accept a low bid of 50 thousand dollars for underground wiring at the four corners intersection, Finance Commissioner Paul Danekas mentioned IDOT now wants the city to move 10 power poles south of the intersection so the road can be widened by a foot.  Council members don’t think this stretch needs to be widened so they don’t want to pay thousands of dollars to have the poles moved.  Danekas suggested and the council agreed to only order underground wiring if IDOT says the city doesn’t need to move the power poles.

The city council and city engineer plan to meet with IDOT in the near future to hash out their differences.  IDOT is looking to rebuild the four corners intersection with resurfacing, new turn lanes, new sidewalks going west from the intersection and new curb and gutter.