Rutherford spending

While he’s no longer serving in the state legislature, Republican State Treasurer Dan Rutherford says he’s still involved because he has to respond to what the legislature does. Rutherford says he’s very much weighing in on the direction he’s sees them going or maybe going. He says he’s spoken with Governor Pat Quinn, a democrat, and has told him he doesn’t agree with a proposed 14-year borrowing plan. Rutherford says he thinks they’ll be able to reach a consensus and says he would support short-term borrowing in regards to Medicaid payments. Rutherford was a state senator before being elected treasurer last November. He was in La Salle Saturday night for the La Salle County Republican Committee Lincoln Day Dinner.

Illinois River at LaSalle update

The Illinois River seems to be subsiding. The National Weather Service said the river was at 20.5 feet at LaSalle at 8:45am Sunday. Flood stage is 20 feet. The level should fall below flood stage by Monday morning, but, a flood warning remains in effect for the time being. Low level farm ground at LaSalle, Peru and Spring Valley experiences flooding under the present conditions.

Streator’s city insurance lower

Generally, it’s good to go UP in the ratings. Such is the case with the city of Streator last week. Insurance Services Offices, which assesses community fire protection capabilities for insurance carriers, said Streator’s rating had gone up. That means lower insurance costs for the city and its residents in the next few years. Illinois American Water tests all fire hydrants in the city each year. The company invested about a million dollars in 2008 for a new 400-thousand gallon storage and pumping system. An additional 5.6 million was invested in the past two years on the local water system’s pipes, pumps, valves and meters.

State bill styled after Arizona’s law

A Republican state representative has proposed an Arizona-style immigration law that calls for heightened police scrutiny. Representative Randy Ramey from Carol Stream claims illegal immigrants cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars in education and health care services. Among other things, the Illinois proposal would let police determine the immigration status of a person if the officer reasonably suspects the person is in the country illegally. The bill likely faces big hurdles in Illinois, which has some of the most immigrant-friendly laws nationwide. For instance, Chicago is a sanctuary city where police aren’t allowed to ask about citizenship status. Several immigrant rights groups have protested the bill and painted Ramey as an extremist. The bill was introduced last month and is before a committee. — The bill is HB1969. Online: http://www.ilga.gov

Seneca roadside cleanup

An annual roadside cleaning on Friday is the idea of the Seneca FFA and involves almost 500 volunteers. Seneca High School students will clean about eight miles of ditches from Senca north to Stavanger with financial assistance from Exelon, CF Industries and Alliance Pipeline. Exelon employees are providing security, manpower and trucks. Waste Management, Central Illinois Bus and alumni of Seneca FFA are donating manpower, buses and a dumpster. The Seneca FFA has 155 members and is overseeing the school’s eleventh annual cleanup.

local sports items

Peru Parkside is in the 7th Grade Class 3A State Volleyball Championship Tuesday night. They will face Pleasant Plains at 6:45pm at Assumption Central. Peru Parkside defeated Herscher Limestone in Saturday’s semi-finals 25 – 7    25 – 11.

Newark took the Class 1A title in High School Boys Basketball Saturday easily defeating Winchester West Central 57 – 35.

The IVCC Basketball Lady Eagles enter the Nationals in Peoria Tuesday morning against Monroe, New York. Airtime is 10:50 on AM 1220 WLPO and am 1220 wlpo dot com.

Four day old infant attacked

Authorities say a four-day-old infant in west-central Illinois is recovering well after being attacked by a raccoon. They say the child suffered 10 to 12 puncture wounds and a large laceration to her head in the attack this past week in Griggsville. The animal, which belonged to the child’s grandparents, has been euthanized.

Peru underage drinking party

It’s typical young people misbehaving with the help of an adult. Peru police break up an underage drinking party about 11:30 Saturday in the Super Eight motel. 21-year old Samantha Yang of Wyanet was charged with contributing to deliquency of minors.18-year old Cody Donnelly of LaSalle was charged with illegal consumption as were a 17-year old male, two – 15 year old females and a 16-year old female. All received notices to appear. 18-year old Nicholar Rick of Oglesby was cited for having less than 2.5 grams of cannabis. He, too was given a notice to appear. Finally, another 17-year old female was charged with illegal consumption, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis and for being wanted on two LaSalle County warrants. She was released to her parents as were the other minors.

12 yr old arrested on warrants

He’s arrested on LaSalle County warrants for burglary and two counts of criminal damage to property. The most astounding part – he’s only 12 years old. LaSalle police made the arrest about 9am Saturday in the 1800 block of Hennepin. The youth is in the county detention center.