Local Foursome Win State History Awards

Four area students received awards at the Illinois History Expo.

Sarah Nauman, Mara Penrod and Collin Giordano of Oglesby Washington Junior High and Kyle Small of Waltham Elementary all brought home an award and cash prizes.

Nauman and Penrod won for a project they did on the “Radium Girls” while Small entered a project called “Small Wylie School”.  The trio won in the category of best projects or papers dealing with a small town’s history.

Giordano meanwhile an award for his entry called “Early Land Surveying in Illinois”.  He entered into a category dealing with historic preservation of records and fostering interest in historical colonial research.

Opinions Mixed On New Seat Belt Law

Do you ever wear a seat belt while riding in the backseat?  It could become law in Illinois.

The Illinois House passed the proposed bill Thursday by a vote count of 61 to 55.  State Representatives Frank Mautino and Pam Roth voted against the proposal while Bob Pritchard voted in favor of it.  The proposal now goes to the Senate for a vote.

Exemptions from the law would be if you’re riding in the back-seat of a taxi, school bus, or ambulance.  Also anyone with a physical problem making it difficult to wear a seat belt is exempted.

Right now, back-seat passengers 19 and under are required by law to wear seat belts.

Changes to yard waste pickup in La Salle

Mondays are the day for yard waste pickup in La Salle.   A new policy with the city’s waste hauler, Illinois Valley Waste Services, requires brown paper yard waste bags to be out at the curb by 6am Mondays.  Bags will need a $2 pink yard waste sticker.

Also new this year, you’ll have to call the waste hauler to get on their yard waste pickup list.  There number is (815) 875-2293.

Spring Valley checking inside and outside water meters

Sometimes the outside water meter reading doesn’t match up with inside meter.  The meter reader in Spring Valley will check both inside and outside meters during this month and next month to make sure they have an accurate reading.

If the meter reader stops by but can’t read both meters, he’ll leave card for you to write in your inside meter reading.  You’ll need to return it to the city clerk’s office or call it in as soon as possible.

If you wait longer than a day or two, you’ll need to read both meters and report it to the clerk’s office.

Top Teacher Named

A music teacher at Marseilles Elementary School is the educator of the year in La Salle County.

Ann Terry was presented the award during the Excellence in Education Awards banquet Thursday put on by the La Salle County Regional Office of Education.  She’s taught music in Marseilles 25 years.

Dozens of other teachers, administrators, support staff and board of education members were also recognized.