Three IVCC trustees running to keep their positions

If you like the direction Illinois Valley Community College is heading, you’ll have the chance to keep a few of the board of trustee members in their seats.

Trustees Michael Driscoll, Larry Huffman, and David Mallery were ready with their petitions at 8am Monday.  It was the first day nominating petitions for the April 5 election could be returned.  Newcomer Brandon Evans of Oglesby jointed them in returning in a petition for one of the three six-year terms.

Mallery and former trustee and former Spring Valley mayor Jim Narczewski turned in petitions to fill a two-year vacancy.

Ballot position for the six-year terms will be determined by a lottery scheduled for next Tuesday morning.  The deadline to return petitions is next Monday.

La Salle approves agreement with new ambulance service

A new ambulance service will start taking calls in La Salle starting March 1.  The city decided in November to part ways with Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service after receiving a more attractive proposal from Paramedic Services of Illinois, a private company out of Schiller Park.

Since then, fire Chief Andy Bacidore and others have been working on a contract with PSI, to create a 24-hour ambulance service that would be based out of the La Salle Fire Station.

The city council Monday night approved an agreement with PSI.  Agreements regarding billing still need to be worked out.

In the meantime, Bacidore says they’ve found a used vehicle they want to buy from the City of Lombard.  They’ll also take care of the necessary paper work with the state and try to find more equipment and another vehicle before March 1.  Until then, PVAS will continue to provide ambulance service.

La Salle tax rate not expected to increase

The property tax rate for La Salle next year should be comparable to what people were charged this past year.

The city wants to raise $2.1 million from property taxes in 2011, slightly more than they took in this year.  The tax levy approved by the city council Monday night is a 4.96% increase over last year’s.

EAV is predicted to increase.

Joanne Milby is the city comptroller.  She says they adjusted the levy to increase the amount going into the police pension fund.

Longtime County Board Member Stepping Down

A few months after announcing his intentions to resign from the La Salle County Board, Jack Leininger says he will officially step down Wednesday.

The Marseilles republican says he is stepping down because of personal matters.  He picked Wednesday to resign so that the county board could approve his replacement at Thursday afternoon’s meeting.  Leininger expects his replacement to be Elmer Walter of Grand Ridge.  Walter is a farmer.  Leininger says he didn’t endorse Walter but thinks he’s a fine choice.

Leininger’s been on the La Salle County Board since 2002.

Man’s Body Found In Snow

An investigation is underway in Morris after a 43 year old man was found dead in the snow.

Grundy County Coroner John Callahan says the man was found outside his house.  He says at this point there’s no foul play suspected.  The man’s name isn’t being released until the family is notified.

An autopsy is scheduled tomorrow.

Oglesby Municipal Election Taking Shape

There will have to be a lottery drawing to determine ballot positioning in Oglesby.

Today is the first day candidates can turn in petitions to be on the April Municipal Election ballot.  Incumbent Commissioner Tom Porter was joined by Shelly Cooke and Dominic “Dom” Rivara in turning in petitions to run for commissioner.  Since there was more than one person at the clerk’s office when it opened, ballot positioning will be determined by a lottery process.

Mayor Don Finley also turned his petition today.  He’s the only known candidate for mayor in Oglesby.

Area Snowfall Amounts After Weekend Storm

The weekend blizzard brought plenty of wind and chilly temperatures but not much snow to the Illinois Valley.

According to the National Weather Service, Streator had the most snow with two inches.  Marseilles reported an inch with Mendota, Peru and La Salle all registering around a half inch of snow.

The weather service says Peru had one of the highest wind gusts during the storm at 47 miles per hour.

Tenth Tractor Adventure Could Be The Last

Next year’s Heritage Tractor Adventure could be the last ride.

Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau President and CEO Robert Navarro says in “these challenging economic times we are taking a good look at all of our programs and services”.  Navarro says half of their funding is from a state tourism grant but admits it’s been a challenging financial year for the state.

While the route isn’t set yet, the 10^th tractor adventure will happen June 11^th thru the 15^th.  Oglesby served as the host town for this year’s ride.

Tax levy and new charges for property owners topics for La Salle Council

Will La Salle’s tax rate be going up or down?  You’ll have a better idea of what to expect after the city council approves a tax levy Monday night.

The council will also talk about a proposal to charge property owners a sewer maintenance fee even when water service has been turned off.

The La Salle City Council meets at 7pm.

Tree of Hope lighting ceremony Monday

The big Christmas Tree outside of the Horizon House in Peru will be glowing today.  A ceremony to light the first strands of lights on the Tree of Hope is at 3:50pm Monday.

As donations are received for their annual fundraiser, more lights will be lit.  They want to reach their goal by Christmas.

You can find the tree near the intersection of Plank Road and North Peoria Street.