Despite Cuts, IVCC Planning Pricier Budget

A combination of cuts and higher tuition has Illinois Valley Community College Trustees raising their budget.

The Trustees passed a new 40 million dollar budget which is over 4 million dollars more than last year’s budget.  Trustees expect the college will bring in 737 thousand dollars more money than last year because of higher tuition rates.  The college also expects to save 640 thousand dollars by ending classes at Sheridan Correctional Center.  The budget also includes spending cuts in advertising, Dislocated Worker Center revenues, and truck driver training contracts.

A public hearing on the new budget is August 23^rd.

Tournament Helps Control Asian Carp Population

There are far fewer Asian carp swimming around Starved Rock State Park compared to a week ago.

Nearly 48 thousand pounds worth of Asian carp were taken from the Illinois River over an eight hour period.  The second annual Bowfishing Association of Illinois’ Directors Shoot was this past Saturday and Sunday at Starved Rock.

A fisherman from Iowa brought in a record-breaking Asian carp weighing 59 pounds.  DNR Director Marc Miller was among the bowfishing hunters.

Miller says the anglers are a tremendous help in keeping the carp out of the Illinois River and eventually from migrating into the Great Lakes.

Ottawa Makes Money On New Festivals

Spring festivals featuring mushrooms and wine made money for the city of Ottawa.

The inaugural Midwest Morel Fest in May made the city three thousand dollars thanks to 301 mushroom hunters paying
30 dollars apiece to hunt.  The first ever wine and jazz festival in early June made the city a smaller profit of 800
dollars.  An estimated three thousand people came to the two day wine and jazz festival.

Mayor Bob Eschbach says every comment he heard about the festivals was positive and thinks they can both grow in the future.  He says losing large sums of money with the first year festivals was a concern.

Spring Valley 125th celebration kicks into high gear

A carnival, free bingo, farmer’s market and beer garden are some of ways you can celebrate Spring Valley’s 125^th anniversary.

The farmer’s market opens at 4pm Wednesday in the downtown mini park. The carnival opens at 6pm in the downtown. Bingo is also at 6pm at the Spring Valley Boat Club.  Verucchi’s Restaurant will be having a beer garden starting at 7:30pm.   Featured music will be by Dickie Verucchi and friends.

The celebration continues Thursday with girl’s softball and a beer garden with live music.

Hospitals offering help for people who need to get out of the heat

With a heat index that hot hotter than 100 degrees Tuesday afternoon, spending all day in the heat could be dangerous.  An excessive heat warning and a watch are in place and the National Weather Service predicts the hot temperatures to continue into the weekend.

If you know someone who needs a cool place to go for a few hours, St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley and Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru are making space available.

Spring Valley man accused of growing marijuana

Marijuana charges for a local man with the last name of Stoner.

Responding to a domestic disturbance call, Spring Valley Police arrested Justin Stoner Sunday night for unlawful production of sativa plants.  They say he was growing pot inside his home on North Spalding Street.

Stoner was also arrested for possession of controlled substance, possession of cannabis, possession of paraphernalia and domestic battery.  He was taken to the county jail.

Union Wins Court Decision Against Governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – An independent arbitrator has ruled that Gov. Pat Quinn violated the union contract with 30,000 state workers by refusing to give them a pay raise due July 1.

Arbitrator Edwin Benn ordered Quinn to start paying the 2 percent increase within 30 days with back pay. That’s according to a copy of Benn’s opinion provided by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Quinn had said the Legislature did not appropriate the $75 million necessary to pay the employees in 14 state agencies. Benn noted in his order that AFSCME had agreed to concessions to help the state during a fiscal crisis. Those included delaying half of the 4 percent raise union workers were supposed to get July 1.

Quinn’s office says he will appeal.

Weight Lifting Equipment Kills Local Boy

A weight bar is what killed a 5-year old boy from rural La Salle County.

Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll says Paul Miller of Ophir Township died of abdominal trauma.  A weight bar fell onto him.

Miller was flown to St. Francis Medical Center Thursday night where he died.  He was found unresponsive at a home earlier in the day in Ottawa.

Another Day Of Excessive Heat

The entire listening area remains under an Excessive Heat Warning through tonight.

High temperatures are expected to be in the lower to mid-90s.  Couple that with high humidity and the temperature could feel as  high as 110 degree.

The oppressive heat is expected to stick around all week.

Tense Moments Involving Missing Child

A missing toddler in Princeton was found wandering around the busiest stretch of road in the listening area.

Police in Bureau County got a call just after 11 Monday morning about a 2 year old that had gone missing from the Maple Acres Trailer Court on the northwest side of Princeton.  A deputy rushed to get the child after a 911 call said he was wandering onto Interstate 80 which is just north of the trailer court.

The child wasn’t hurt.  Investigators say a complaint could be filed with the Department of Children and Family Services.