IVCC Cleans House With Security Force

Ten people working security at Illinois Valley Community College have been let go.

The board of trustees last night hired G4S Secure Solutions which got its start over a hundred years ago in Denmark to handle all security services for the next three years.  IVCC President Jerry Corcoran says G4S “requires the highest level of qualifications of its employees, which increases security on the campus”.  He says G4S scored the highest of the three finalists in nine criteria areas like staff expertise, client references, employee turnover, and local support.

G4S’ hiring means ten security personnel at the college were given what’s being called their “honorable discharge”.  Two full-time, seven part-time and one part-time interim director were all cut by the board.

A representative from G4S says the ten who lost their jobs are welcome to apply with the new company.  G4S officially takes over August 8^th.

Unions Step Up For Ottawa Memorial

Donations keep rolling in for a “radium girls” statue in Ottawa.

AFSCME Local 2819 President Tim Wielgopolan presented checks adding up to over 18 hundred dollars last night to the Ottawa City Council.  The money was raised by various AFSCME workers including people at Horizon House and the city of La Salle along with the Sheridan Correctional Center.

Mayor Bob Eschbach says about 50 thousand dollars has now been raised.  He says around 60 thousand dollars would fully fund the memorial.  The city’s paying the sculptor Bill Pillar of Mendota 40 thousand dollars for his work.

Eschbach says the dedication of the “radium girl” statue is scheduled for the morning of Friday, September 2^nd.

Oglesby seeking bids for streets program

Stretches of Mormon, Jordan, and First Streets are included in the list of roads city officials want resurfaced in Oglesby.  The city has budgeted $120,000 for the annual street program.  They also expect to receive an extra $15,000from the state.

Commissioner Dennis Yborra would like to add another street to the list but that will depend on how the bids come in.       The city council Tuesday night held off on hiring a contractor for a storm sewer separation project.

A sidewalk project is being planned for the fall.  If you would like the public sidewalk along your yard to be redone, call the city.  You would only be responsible for the cost of the concrete, but not the labor.

Concert donation will buy reading text books

Despite a steady drizzle the night of the performance, an Eric Church and Trace Adkins concert has raised enough money for a Bureau County grade school to buy text books.

The concert last month was one of Lou’s La Grotto “Concert for a Cause.”  Merry Noonan organized the concert.  She says $25,000 is being donated to the Van Orin School District.

Amanda Fischer teaches kindergarten at Van Orin.  She says the school is buying new reading books for the kindergarten through fifth grade classes. They hope to have them in time for the upcoming school year.  She thanks Noonan and the volunteers and staff at Lou’s Grotto.   The concert was sponsored by 96.5 The Wolf.

The next Concert for a Cause headlines Big Time Rush and is a fundraiser for the Peru Pool Fund.

Fun Fair raises $5,000 for Peru Pool Fund

A fun fair and car show kept families busy in Peru Sunday while raising about $5,000 for a new Peru swimming.  Organizers say they also received $780 in donations.

The Peru pool fund has raised at least $30,000 since it began.  Upcoming fundraisers include the Big Time Rush concert on August 13 at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport and a circus scheduled for August 30.  Tickets are on sale for both.

Stretch Of I-80 Closing Tonight

If your travels have you going from Princeton to Peru tonight using Interstate 80, you may want to find a different way.

Starting at 8, eastbound I-80 from the Interstate 180 exit to the Spring Valley exit will be completely closed to traffic.  Eastbound 80 should be reopened by tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, eastbound traffic will be diverted to I-180 then Route 6 and to Route 89.

Streator Teen Arrested For Stealing Cars

A teen from Streator is accused of stealing a couple cars.

17 year old Andre Long was arrested Sunday night for residential burglary.  He’s accused of breaking into a home on North Shabbona Street and stealing a 1994 Olds Cutlass and a 1998 Buick Century.  Investigators say they’ve recovered the Cutlass.

Long was taken to the county jail.

Murder Anniversary Approaches

The next time an accused double murderer from Seneca steps into a courtroom, it’ll be the four year anniversary of his arrest.

Keith Mackowiak is due in La Salle County Court next Monday, July 11^th.  It was on July 11, 2007 where he was arrested for the beating deaths of 83 year old Al and his 87 year old wife Catherine Twardowski in the couple’s rural Seneca home.  Prosecutors think it was a botched burglary attempt.

Mackowiak has sat in the county jail since his arrest nearly four years ago.  Change of lawyers, psychiatric and DNA tests are some reasons why the case has drug on.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne believes the trial will start this year.

Bureau County Wind Farm Being Challenged

A group of landowners living around a proposed wind farm in Bureau County are turning to the court to stop the project.

A lawsuit was filed last week by 37 adjacent landowners to the proposed 150-turbine Walnut Ridge wind farm in northwest Bureau County.  The lengthy lawsuit claims the Bureau County Board didn’t have authority to grant conditional use permits to the developer in 2008.  The suit also claims the county board didn’t have the right to approve permit extensions earlier this year.

Landowners suing say they’re trying to stop the project and aren’t going after money.

Marshall-Putnam Fair Back Another Year

Fair season is underway with the next one happening in Henry.

The 90^th annual Marshall-Putnam Fair begins tomorrow at the Route 29 fairgrounds in Henry.  Wednesday’s festivities include the opening of the carnival plus horse racing and the fair pageants.

On Thursday, the fair will have morning horse racing along with the carnival and a family fun night.  Friday’s main draw is a demolition derby while Saturday will include a bridal show, bags tournament, a potato decorating contest and tractor and truck pull.

The Marshall-Putnam Fair ends Sunday with a car show, bocce ball tournament, talent show, burn out contest and another tractor and truck pull.