La Salle alderman wants a solution to dumpster problems

Overflowing dumpsters are becoming a problem in a neighborhood in La Salle.  It’s happened several times in the first ward, most recently last week according to alderman Diz Demes.

He says the problem starts when landlords don’t pay their waste hauler and the company refuses to pick up the garbage.  He says he was on the phone last week with Waste Management trying to get them to empty a dumpster behind an apartment building.

Demes says the trash overflows and it attracts rodents.  He wants to look into what can be done to make sure the trash gets picked up, even when landlords are being irresponsible.

City Attorney Jim McPhedran says he’ll investigate what could be done.

Judge warns Blagojevich about comments to media

CHICAGO (AP) – The judge in Rod Blagojevich’s corruption case has warned the former Illinois governor to watch what he says to the media because some of his comments could be used against him in the retrial starting this week.

A stern Judge James Zagel made his comments to Blagojevich’s lawyers at a status hearing Monday. The retrial is set to begin Wednesday.

Prosecutor Reid Schar told Zagel that Blagojevich has lied repeatedly, including by suggesting there’d been a government effort to hide evidence.

The normally subdued Schar raised his voice as he said he’d like to put Blagojevich on the stand to show “he’s a liar” but knows he can’t.

Zagel didn’t place a gag order on Blagojevich but says the defense should consider his warning a “red flag.”

Blazer reported stolen in Ottawa

Someone in Ottawa has a new, used ride.  Police are looking for a blue 2000 Chevy Blazer that was reported stolen Sunday night.

It was taken from a carport in the 600 block of East Main Street.

Phone-bill clinic scheduled for La Salle

Do you understand all of the charges on your phone bill?  You can get help understanding your phone bill during a phone-bill clinic Tuesday in La Salle.

It’s hosted by the Citizen’s Utility Board or CUB. Jim Chilsen is the director of communications for CUB.  He says bring your bill and they’ll try to help you make sense of it.

Chilsen says they’ll take a look at cell phone bills but they’ll recommend you use their online tool that allows you upload your bill and makes recommendations for savings.

CUB is a non-profit consumer group that was founded by the Illinois legislature but does not receive state money.

The phone bill clinic is tomorrow at 2pm at Hometown National Bank in La Salle.  It’s free.