United Way to sponsor children’s book collection in May

Toys and clothing might seem like obvious gifts for school-aged children, but don’t forget about books.

The Illinois Valley United Way is using this year’s A Day of Action to get more books into the hands of area children.

Nikki Tonioni is the intern overseeing the program.  She says the’ll be accepting books for students preschool through eighth grade.

You can leave your donations in one of the collection boxes available at 20 locations.  Children are invited to visit the United Way office on First Street in La Salle on April 30 to help decorate the collection boxes. Tonioni says they want to receive 2011 books so children can receive two books each.  The collection will run through the month of May.

Ottawa theater company to hold auditions Monday

It takes a more than a couple of stars to put on a theater performance.  Auditions are Monday for WilleyWorld Community Productions in Ottawa.

The theater company is the project of All My Children actor Walt Willey and writer Kim “Howard” Johnson.

They’re trying to create a talent pool they can use for future shows.  They’ll need people for acting, props, sets and ushering.

Auditions are from 6-8pm Monday at the Reddick Library Annex.  It’s open to people 18 and older.  You’ll need to fill out a questionnaire explaining your talents and interests.

Past performances include Arsenic and Old Lace and The Odd Couple.  This summer’s production is expected to be announced soon.

Drug charges for man accused of having 23 pounds of marijuana

23 pounds of marijuana is what police say they found after pulling over a man from California near La Salle.

Michael Halton was stopped Saturday evening on Interstate 80 because police claim he was speeding and wearing a headset receiver while driving.

A police dog sniffed the area around the car and detected drugs.  Inside the trunk, police say they found cannabis.

Halton was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and drug paraphernalia.  He was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Edgcomb retires as Utica Fire Chief

A change of leadership for the Utica Fire Protection District.  Gary Gbur was appointed fire chief by the village board Monday night.  The move comes with the retirement of Dave Edgcomb.  Edgcomb had been the village’s fire chief for 13 years and a firefighter for 30 years.

Gbur had been the assistant chief.  The new assistant chief is Ed Rogers.

Area state senator supporting republican deficit reduction plan

It seems everyone has a plan for cutting Illinois’ budget deficit.  State Senator Sue Rezin is sticking with a proposal by the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus.  The plan includes millions of dollars in cuts to departments including Medicaid, Human Services and Corrections.

Rezin won’t say specific programs she would vote to cut; just that she supports the republican proposal.  She says she’s not comfortable with every proposed cut, including one that would decrease funding to cities.

The republican plan would reduce the state income tax to 3% by fiscal year 2016.  They would like to do away with a recent corporate tax increase by fiscal year 2014.

You can find the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus here.  An interview with Rezin is available at the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Earth Day clean-up planned for Mendota

Mendota will be looking a little bit tidier thanks to a group of volunteers.

The Newstribune reports that Gretchen Fitzpatrick, a business owner, is organizing an Earth Day Town Clean Up.  Fitzpatrick plans to have volunteers of all ages clean up the city’s streets, sidewalks and parks.

The effort is Friday from 6-7:30pm.  Volunteers are to meet at Nature’s Way Mind, Body & Spirit on Main Street.

Congressman Kinzinger scheduled to speak with seniors in Peru

Area seniors will have the chance to talk about their concerns and ideas when their congressman pays a visit to Peru.

Republican Adam Kinzinger is scheduled to be at Heritage Manor in Peru at 1:30pm Tuesday.  One of the topics covered will be health care legislation.