Incumbents hold on to their IVCC board seats

It was hard to drive a mile without seeing a sign for an Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees candidate, but posting a lot of signs apparently wasn’t the sure-fire way to win a seat.

With three six-year terms of up grabs, incumbents David Mallery, Mike Driscoll, and Dr. Larry Huffman received the most votes and keep their places on the board.

Challengers Brandon Evens and Everett Solon trailed by about 1,000 votes each.

Jim Narczewski was unopposed in running for an unexpired two-year term.  Narczewski is a former IVCC trustee and Spring Valley mayor.

Ottawa Election Is Status Quo

There will be no change for the Ottawa City Council.

Ottawa Mayor Bob Eschbach rolled to another term with 91 percent of the vote.  Arthur Foltyniewicz mounted an unsuccessful write-in campaign.

In the commissioner’s race, incumbents Dan Aussem, Ed Whitney, Wayne Eichelkraut and Dale Baxter defeated the lone challenger James Less to keep their seats.  Aussem had 22 percent of the vote while Whitney, Eichelkraut and Baxter all had 20 percent compared to 17 percent for Less.

Rivara top vote-getter in Oglesby council race

A newcomer was the top vote-getter in the Oglesby Commissioner race.  Dom Rivara received 25% of the vote out of a pool of six candidates.  Dennis Yborra will remain on the council after earning 21% of the vote.  Tom Porter and Paul Danekas will also keep their seats after receiving 19% each.  Shelley Cooke and Adam Trillet received less than 10% each.

You can listen to an interview with Rivara by visiting the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

The Daves keep their seats in Peru

Two Peru aldermen were able to hang onto their seats while one was not so lucky.  Mike Radtke beat out incumbent Jamey Mertel, earning 62% of the vote in the first ward.  Listen to an interview with Radtke by visiting the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Rodney Perez took ward 2.  With 54% of the vote, Perez beat out Jim Hurst and Bob Borostowski.

Dave Waldorf was able to keep his third ward seat, earning 49% of the vote over challengers Mary Landsiedel and Joe Witczak.

Dave Potthoff was able to keep his fourth ward seat.  Potthoff received 52% of the vote to beat challengers Steve Weberski and Gerry Stachowiak.

La Salle alderman unseated

It came down to only a handful of votes in La Salle’s second ward. Joe Edgcomb was the winner with a four vote lead over Jerry Reynolds.  Gail Heller earned only 15% of the vote

Mark Schneider was able to unseat Gary Schroeder in the fourth ward.  John Duncan has beaten Tom Kramarsic in the third ward where incumbent Demetrio Salazar did not seek a full term.

First ward alderman Diz Demes was unopposed.

You can hear an interview with Duncan by visiting the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Cat Boss Says He’s Not Leaving Illinois

EAST PEORIA, Ill. (AP) – The head of Caterpillar says the company is “here to stay” in Illinois and will work with the
governor to improve the state’s business climate.

CEO Doug Oberhelman met with Gov. Pat Quinn Tuesday morning to discuss the fact that other states are trying to lure the manufacturing company away. Oberhelman warned Quinn in a recent letter that Caterpillar was getting offers from other states in the wake of Illinois’ income tax increase.

Quinn says he understands Illinois must do more to improve its economy and its image. Oberhelman has agreed to serve on a council that will try to strengthen the export business.

Mendota Officer Injured In Car Chase

A car chase in Mendota sent one police officer to the hospital.

Mendota Police got a call around seven Monday night for a battery and criminal damage to property complaint.  When Jesus Orozco saw police coming after him, he allegedly swerved his car into the driver’s side of a Mendota squad car.  Orozco then drove away while the officer who was hit was taken to Mendota Community Hospital where he was treated and released.

Investigators say Orozco then drove into oncoming traffic on Burlington Street and hit another squad car head-on.  He was finally stopped and arrested for aggravated battery and criminal damage to state property.

Orozco was taken to the county jail.

Jerrod Niemann booked to headline Bureau County Fair

Fans of country musician Jerrod Niemann won’t have to drive far to catch him in concert.  Niemann and Edens Edge are the headliners for this year’s Bureau County Fair.

The concert will be Friday, August 26 at the fairgrounds in Princeton.  Tickets go on sale June 11.

Produce market planned for La Salle

An empty lot along Joliet Street in La Salle is the future home of a produce market.

Keith Boggio of Putnam County has purchased the lot on the northwest corner of Joliet and Eighth Streets from the city for $18,000.  The city council approved the sale Monday night.  The lot has been up for sale for several years and used to be the site of a white apartment building.

La Salle Mayor Jeff Grove says Boggio plans to build a market that will be open during the seasons when there will be fresh produce.

Grove says the new market won’t be open on Tuesday as to not compete with the city’s farmer’s market.

Lot and parking plans have been sent to the zoning board and still need council approval.

Final design plans for Oglesby senior housing approved

A senior housing complex is moving forward in Oglesby.

The Stough Group had its final design plans approved Monday night by the Oglesby City Council. Approval of the final plat was on hold since October so that Jack Kusek of McClure Engineering, who does engineering work for Oglesby, could make sure plans meet city ordinances.

The Stough Group wants to start moving dirt on a 50-unit housing development this spring.  The housing complex will be built on nine acres west of the Root Beer Stand.

The Stough Group already has developments in Peru and Spring Valley.