Oppressive Heat In The Forecast

Dangerous heat is setting in throughout the listening area.

A heat advisory runs from 11 this morning until midnight tonight for the Illinois Valley.  Daytime high temperatures today will be in the mid 90s.  Couple that with high humidity and it could feel like 105 to 110 degrees.

When heat indexes reach the 110 degree range, it increases the chances of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

Quinn Axes Regional Offices Of Education

Rich Myers could be La Salle County’s last Regional Superintendent of Schools for awhile.

As part 389 million dollars in cuts, Governor Pat Quinn eliminated 11 million dollars to fund regional offices of education.  Jim Carlson was supposed to take over today for the retiring Myers as La Salle County’s superintendent.  Myers appealed to and got support from the La Salle County Board back in April to send Quinn a letter against defunding the ROE.  Myers says the regional offices end up being worth more than their budgeted funding because grant money they get for schools and alternative revenue sources that eases the tax burden.

ROE’s also provide training for teachers, scholarships for students, GED testing among other services.

Plenty Of Changes At The Top For Area Schools

As a new fiscal year starts today for schools, many are welcoming new leaders.

At the high school level, Steve Wrobleski officially takes over as L-P superintendent, replacing Dr. Craig Carter.  At Hall High School, Eric Bryant comes over from Bureau Valley to be assistant principal.  He’ll take up some responsibilities former principal Tony Valente had before leaving for the Proviso School District.

At the elementary level, Cleve Threadgill takes over as Ottawa Elementary School Superintendent after Craig Doster moved on to the Flossmoor School District.  Former Mendota technology instructor Julie DeFore takes over as principal at Rutland Elementary.  Former Rutland principal Toby Coates is now principal at Wallace Elementary School.

At the county level, Jim Carlson takes over as Regional Office of Education Superintendent for the retired Rich Myers.

Fun Fair and fireworks Sunday in Peru

If you are looking for something to do on Sunday with the kids, then attend the Friends of the Peru Pool Fun Fair. From 11am to 4pm at Washington Park, you’ll find the Fire Department water fights, car show, dunk tank, food and drinks and much more. Proceeds from the Peru Pool Fun Fair will benefit the rebuilding of the Peru Municipal Pool.

Peru’s waterfront will be the place to be come nightfall with fireworks and live music. The fireworks display will be set to patriotic music playing on 9933 WAJK. The band Road Angel will be playing live music from 8pm to midnight.

Two-car crash near Sheridan kills man from Serena

A man from Serena is dead after a two car crash outside of Sheridan.  The accident happened just before 11am Thursday at County Highway 22 and Hoxy Road.

Investigators say 23 year old Timothy Law crash with another car in the intersection.  He was taken to Valley West Hospital in Sandwich where he was pronounced dead shortly after.

Police haven’t said who was in the other car or what their condition is.  The crash is being investigated.

 

Preteen accused of burglarizing Oglesby home

A woman in Oglesby says she came home to find 11 and 12 year olds breaking into her home.

The woman called police earlier this week to say she caught an 11 year old boy and 12 year old girl attempting to burglarize her home.  The boy was arrested for burglary while the girl was picked up for criminal trespassing since police say she only partially entered the house on East 2^nd Street.

Police didn’t say what the boy is accused of stealing.  He was taken to the county detention home.  The girl was released to a parent.

Local Women Face Heroin Charges

Two women living in Granville are accused of messing with heroin.

Members of TRIDENT say Amber Brittingham sold them five bags of heroin yesterday in Princeton.  After the alleged delivery, investigators say Brittingham drove away with Amy Davis.  The two were quickly pulled over.

Brittingham was arrested for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.  Davis was picked up for unlawful possession of controlled substance with the intent to deliver.

Both women were taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Illinois Governor Joins Twitter

CHICAGO (AP) – Gov. Pat Quinn wants to know what Illinoisans are tweeting about.

The Chicago Democrat’s office has launched an official Twitter account. They say Quinn is interested in getting feedback from people around the state. When Quinn tweets, his office says they’ll be marked “-GOV.” His office says Twitter and a new Flickr photo page will be regularly updated with news, photos and videos.

People can find Quinn on Twitter at Twitter.com/GovernorQuinn. Photos can be accessed flickr.com/photo /GovernorPatQuinn.

Peru alderman wants more accountable with time cards

Computers have replaced time clocks at many businesses.  An alderman in Peru would like that to be the case for city departments.  Dave Potthoff explained to the city council Wednesday night why he wants to look into installing a computerize time card system.  He says it would make the city more accountable.

Mayor Scott Harl reacted coolly to the suggestion.  He says it sounds like they don’t trust the department heads that have to signoff on all time sheets.  He also wants to know how it would work with city employees who go directly from their homes to the worksites or the firefighters.

City Clerk Dave Bartley says the system they have works and is accountable.

Potthoff says they need to update from the handwritten honor system and he’s asking that they get an estimate of what it would cost to get the computer program.

No Holiday Camping At Area State Park

Despite Illini State Park repairs being put on emergency status, the campgrounds won’t be ready for the long holiday weekend.

A contractor has been hired by the state to put in a new pump to solve sewage issues.  The fix should be in soon after July 4^th.  Campgrounds at Illini in Marseilles closed in early May due to a problem with the wastewater treatment system.  The DNR first said the campgrounds would open this month but eventually pushed the opening back until mid-July.

The Great Falls Campground, Whitetail Campground and concession stand are all closed at Illini State Park.