JFK 6th graders receive new laptops

The new laptops have arrived and are in the hands of sixth graders at JFK School in Spring Valley.   The Apple computers were unveiled to the students Thursday, but not before Principal Gina Herrmann reminded them to be careful with them.

The laptops were purchased using money from Lou’s LaGrotto’s most recent Concert for a Cause. The performance by Lady Antebellum was sponsored by 96.5 the Wolf and raised over $61,000.

It’ll be another week before the students are allowed to bring them home.  The plan is that the students will be allowed to pay for the computers and be able to keep them through junior high and after they graduate.

Thanks to the Newstribune for information in this story.

Halvorson receives endorsement from Illinois State Rifle Association

The Illinois State Rifle Association has Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson’s back.

ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson announced his group’s endorsement of the Democrat Thursday morning in Ottawa.  Pearson says Halvorson is the “perfect candidate” and “she’s done great things for us.”

Pearson says there were no red flags found with Republican challenger Adam Kinzinger, they just like a proven record.

Both Halvorson and Pearson took the opportunity to pressure the state to pass right-to-carry legislation.  Illinois and Wisconsin are the only states without the gun carrying law on the books.

Congressional candidate Kinzinger receives help from Rep. Roskam

A victim of credit card fraud, Illinois Congressman Peter Roskam touted his bill to fight Medicare fraud at a stop in Ottawa Thursday morning.

The Wheaton Republican was joined by 11^th District Congressional candidate Adam Kinzinger.  If elected, Kinzinger promised to support Roskam’s proposal to allocate $500 million for new technology to stop Medicare fraud.

In a time when Republicans want less government spending, Roskam admits his bill is a large investment but is a lot less then the $60 billion Medicare fraud costs taxpayers annually.  He wants the same technology used to find credit card fraud to be used for Medicare.

Kinzinger says Roskam’s legislation is a vital tool for seniors and in the long term will help save Medicare.

Although Roskam says the bill is non-partisan, he’s banking on Republicans doing well enough in the election that he has enough votes next spring.

Economic development remains strong in Ottawa according to mayor

The economy and unemployment situation has a lot of area towns at a standstill when it comes to development, but the mayor of Ottawa remains optimistic.

Mayor Bob Eschbach used his annual State of the City address Thursday to say 2010 has been a good year for Ottawa in terms of economic development.  He says they’ve handled $47.5 million in new construction permits, more than they did last year.

He notes that that doesn’t include construction permits for a new Central School.  He also says it’s nice to say Ottawa is a college town since the opening of Illinois Valley Community College’s satellite campus downtown.

When talking finances, he takes a different tone.  Eschbach says the city’s been able to cut spending but they remain concerned about paying for employee pensions and healthcare costs.

The State of the City address was organized by the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Three taken to hospital following head-on accident

A head-on crash near Utica sent three men to an area hospital and caused traffic delays.  It happened at about 6am Thursday on Route 6 near Cajun Connection.

Police say Lamar Robinson of Depue was heading east on Route 6 when he went into the other lane and hit Richard Miller of Shorewood head-on.

Robinson, Miller and a man with Miller, David Winnie the third of Ottawa were taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital for treatment.  Their conditions are unavailable.

Traffic was blocked off for about an hour as crews had to remove a fishing boat and two SUV’s.

Robinson was ticketed for improper lane usage.

Man arrested for a look-a-like substance

Selling illegal drugs could leave you facing serious charges, but so could selling a phony, look-a-like substance.

Investigators with the drug team TRIDENT arrested a man in Ottawa they say tried selling something that was supposed to be LSD but wasn’t.

Shane Ross was arrested Wednesday after police say he met with an undercover agent in a business parking lot.  Police say Ross admits he knew it wasn’t really LSD.

Ross was charge with unlawful delivery of a look-a-like substance, a class three felony, and resisting arrest.

Another man, Christopher Sexton of Ottawa, was arrested for a lesser marijuana charge and underage drinking.  Both were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Bad Economy Could Do Good For Electric Bills

Ameren Illinois has good news for natural gas customers.  The company says moderate prices during the past year’s heating season are expected to continue this winter.

Ameren’s Scott Glaeser says prices shouldn’t jump because of the sluggish economy and soft worldwide demand for energy.  He says Ameren has most of its natural gas supplies hedged or “price protected” for the upcoming winter to insulate customers from market volatility.