Bulls Forward out campaigning

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng (LOO’-ul dehng) arrived to a hero’s welcome at a polling place in Chicago where southern Sudanese are voting on their country’s future. Deng drew cheers from fellow Sudanese on Sunday when he briefly draped himself with the Southern Sudan flag. The basketball player has been encouraging people to vote for the referendum on Southern Sudan independence and says a lot of people have fought for this day when Southern Sudanese would have a say in their future.

Mendota Baby contest

Some nice prizes await the winners of this year’s baby contest sponsored by the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is now accepting photos until January 24. Girls up to eighteen months of age will be displayed at First State Bank, boys up to eighteen months of age at Midland States Bank and boys and girls from 19 – 26 months of age at Eureka Savings Bank. The public votes by donating money – every cent is one vote. The baby with the most votes in each category will win a Radio Flyer wagon or tri-cycle, a savings bond and other assorted prizes. Mail or drop off your photo to the Chamber office with age, sex, name and parents’ name, address and phone number on the back.

ORH recognized for going green

Ottawa Regional Hospital and Care Center has been recognized as a 2011 GreenCare Organization by Healthcare Insight and MD News magazines. The long-time medical facility received the title for what’s called its’ environmentally friendly facility to patients and the community. O-R-H has performed the following on their campus: Wind turbine power generation, solor domestic hot water, sustainable landscaping and Geo-thermal heat

Swearing in Monday

Illinois’ lieutenant governor position is about to be filled after a two-year vacancy. Sheila Simon will be sworn in tomorrow, along with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. He’ll be sworn in for his first full term as governor. The inauguration festivities will include the Inaugural Ball at the Prairie Convention Center in Springfield.

Congressman take precautions?

Capitol police have asked members of Congress to step up security following yesterday’s shooting in Arizona that left at least six dead and wounded several others, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. But Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush says he doesn’t plan to scale back on any public appearances.

Crosat Street Fire

Flames destroyed a garage with a vehicle and spread to two nearby structures at 1617 Crosat in LaSalle late Saturday morning.  Fire Chief Andy Bacidore said open burning MAY have played a factor in the fire that was called in at 11:13am.  Bacidore said the flames engulfed the garaae then spread to a detached home owned by Bonnie Bottenberg.  A business to the north owned by Daniel Burkhart received $3000 dollars damage to its roof.  Bacidore estimates 10-thousand dollars to the home in exterior damage and interior smoke damage.  A person inside got away safely.   Seventeen LaSalle firefighters and a crew from Peru were on the scene for two hours.  No injuries were reported.