Work scheduled for Veteran’s Memorial Bridge

More traffic headaches are expected on Veteran’s Memorial Bridge in Ottawa.

A construction company out of Galesburg is applying a sealer to the bridge surface Monday.  During the job, flaggers will be directing traffic and at some points there will be lane closures.

The bridge work is expected to get done in a day.

Spring Valley to host activities for National Night Out

The evening hours can be for families too.  You can take your kids swimming and for hot dogs and chips during a National Night Out party in Spring Valley Tuesday evening.  Towns across the country plan activities for the day every year.

In Spring Valley they’ll have free swimming from 5-6pm followed by chips and hot dogs.  Police officers will be out with their dogs for K-9 demonstration at 6:30pm at the baseball diamond.

There will also be games and child safety seat checks.  If you don’t have kids but would still like to take part, just leave your porch light on that evening.

Farming Accident Kills Seneca Man

Moving dirt on the farm proved fatal for a man from rural Seneca.

The Grundy County Coroner’s Office says 79 year old Howard Johnson died from head injuries while moving dirt Saturday afternoon on his farm along Kinsman Road.  Johnson was apparently was driving a skid loader when he had a bucket full of dirt raised too high.  The skid loader tipped forward, fatally injuring Johnson.  He was taken to Morris Community Hospital where he died.

The coroner’s office says Johnson had used the skid loader several times on his farm.  It’s being called an “atypical incident”.

An autopsy will be done Monday.

Stranded on an island…..sort of

Authorities say two people have been rescued from a small Mississippi River island after their boat sank. The Quad-City Times in Davenport reports that fire officials from Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island in Illinois responded to the incident on the Mississippi River on Saturday around 8:15 p.m. Davenport Fire Department District Chief Neil Gainey says the two people were found on a small island near Andalusia in Illinois. Their boat was halfway submerged in the water. It was unclear what caused the boat to sink. Gainey says an investigation is under way.

Entertainers in Marseilles Tuesday

Neighbors get to know neighbors and see entertainers from television this Tuesday night in Marseilles. That’s one purpose of Marseilles Police “Night Out” at 6pm in Knudson Park. Kids will find inflatable games, face painting, all kinds of food, bike registration and child fingerprint kits. Firemen will have a demo and do a “tug-of-war” with the police.The main attraction is – “Those Funny Little People” – entertainers who appeared on “America’s Got Talent”. “Night Out” is part of a national campaign to encourage town residents to get out, meet their neighbors and “stand against crime”. It concludes with a “candlelight” vigil.

Riverfest – Art in the Park

“Art in the Park” has been a mainstay of Ottawa’s Riverfest for as long as the festival itself. Artists and artisans in our area will display everything from glass to ceramics to paintings and jewelry this Saturday and Sunday in Washington Square Park. Hours of the fine art sale are 9 – 4 each day. It’s sponsored by the Ottawa Art League. Their website is ottawa art league dot org.

IVAR dog theft

They say it’s news “when man bites dog”….it’s equally interesting when “man steals dog from IVAR”. That’s what Chris Elberg is thinking as she discovered a 3 – 4 year old female black pit bull missing from the IVAR LaSalle facility Sunday morning. The dog is spayed and microchipped. Elberg thinks the theft occurred between 9pm Saturday and 6:30am Sunday, but did not comment on how entrance was gained. A reward is being offered for the return of the friendly 50 pound pit bull. Another is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief or thieves. If you have that information, call IVAR at 224-061 or the LaSalle Police.

School Supply Assistance Available

If you need help getting school supplies for your kids, the Salvation Army could help.

The Salvation Army office in Ottawa is accepting applications for back to school supplies.  People in need can apply at the office Monday thru Friday between 9 until noon and 1 until 3.

The deadline to apply for school supplies through the Salvation Army is Friday, August 5^th.   Supplies will be distributed August 12^th.

Yearly Review Time For Oglesby Police Chief

Pay for Oglesby’s top cop will be discussed tomorrow night.

The Oglesby City Council will be looking to put on file the salary and wage ordinance for Chief James Knoblauch along with Assistant Chief Michael Margis.  Knoblauch become police chief last August after Tom Kramarsic resigned.

Knoblauch’s starting salary was 61 thousand dollars.

DePue Boat Races Head To The Finish Line

A busy weekend of racing finishes up today at Lake DePue.

Five different boat races will take place today starting at 12:30.  An awards ceremony happens about a half hour after the final race.

There are other things going on today besides the racing.  A car show is set up on Railroad Street.  There’s also food stands, a small beer garden and a carnival.

The 27^th annual event ends at 6:30 with raffle drawings.