Streator Bank Reports Scam

The latest attempted scam in the area targets customers of Streator Onized Credit Union.

Credit union officials say clients are getting text messages and phone calls asking for credit, debit or general account information.  Credit union employees will never solicit personal or private information via text, email or by recorded message.

If you fall victim to this scam, call the credit union immediately.

Illinois Jobless Rate Improves

Illinois’ unemployment rate fell to 9.8 percent in October as the state added another 8,000 jobs.

The jobless figure is just slightly below September’s rate of 9.9 percent but marks seven consecutive months of improvement.  Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Maureen O’Donnell says the trend “shows Illinois is moving forward.”

There still were 648,900 people without jobs in Illinois last month, the lowest level since April 2009. Unemployment peaked at 11.5 percent in March of this year, when almost 765,000 workers
were unemployed.  The national unemployment rate for October is unchanged at 9.6
percent.

Residential Burglary Arrest In La Salle

A teenager from La Salle is accused of breaking into another man’s home.

La Salle Police took a call Tuesday night from a man who said he confronted another man in his house.  Investigators say the intruder is 18 year old Derrick Ford of La Salle.

After being confronted, officials say Ford dove out a bathroom window and fled on foot.  He was found a few hours later and arrested for felony residential burglary.

Ford was taken to the county jail.

Ottawa Trying To Lure New Business

A piece of land costing the city of Ottawa one dollar right now could turn into hundreds of jobs.

The Ottawa City Council has purchased an option to explore buying land on Marquette Street on the west side of town that used to be the site of Burns Machine Company.  Mayor Bob Eschbach says a construction product maker that could bring several jobs is eyeing the land.

The city has a chance to buy the land for 425 thousand dollars over the next six months.  If they decide to buy it after that time, the price goes up to 450 thousand dollars.

Dark Time In History Of Ottawa Being Acted Out

The tragic story of young women dying after working at radium dial plants in Ottawa is coming to the theater stage.

“These Shining Lives” produced by the Rivendell Theatre group out of Chicago will be performed in Ottawa December 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th at the OHS Auditorium.  The show features the “Radium Girls” who were young women working at clock and watch painting factories in Ottawa in the 1920s and 30s who became sick or even died from radiation.

Tickets are 20 dollars in advance or 25 dollars at the door.  Students with an ID get in for 5 dollars.  You can get tickets thru the Ottawa Visitor’s Center.

Proceeds go towards a Radium Girl monument.