Area Grads Meet Sheila Simon

A trio of area high schoolers received recognition at the Illinois State Fair.

Haley Adams of Princeton, Christine Mattern of Putnam County and Alan Noll of Lowpoint-Washburn were invited to a “Top Scholar Day” reception Sunday with Lt. Governor Sheila Simon.  They’re three of 72 graduates honored for their academics and extracurricular activities.

The scholar recognition has been going for six years.

IVCC Fall Preview

 

Want to get a jump start on the fall semester, be at a Fall Preview Monday in Oglesby.

 

Illinois Valley Community College is hosting the preview for new students from 9 until 12:30. The preview will have breakout sessions talking about technology, counseling services, library overview and an introduction to faculty. You can also get your ID, schedule, and buy textbooks Monday.  The new semester starts Wednesday.

 

add in security costs

A police officer in the school hallway is pretty common, but Ottawa Elementary is getting help where a new school is being built. Ottawa Elementary Superintendent Cleve Threadgill says thefts in June and August on the site of the new Central Intermediate School force the district to pay for more night security. Generators, copper piping, a drill and saw went missing in June. Threadgill says the August theft apparently showed someone scoped the place out and then made a significant haul. Ottawa police have stepped up their patrols, however, no one’s been arrested.

Applebee’s + Easter Seals

Tuesday night diners at Applebee’s in Peru will enjoy food and help Easter Seals of LaSalle and Bureau County. The Peru Applebee’s will donate fifteen percent of the profits from eligible dine-in and carry-out meals sold in the evening. To participate, guests simply bring in a flyer provided by the Easter Seals or printed from Peru Applebee’s facebook page.

Tragedy at Indiana State Fair

All activities at the Indiana State Fair have been canceled today, after a stage collapsed last night during a powerful storm, killing at least four people. Sudden winds sent steel scaffolding into a crowd awaiting a performance by the country band Sugarland. About 40 people were injured.

Peace, Love and Wenona Days wrapping up

The time to celebrate “Peace, Love and Wenona Days” is ending today. Wear your tie-dye shirt or 70s clothes any and all activities going on today in Wenona. Today’s activities are a silent auction, 3-on-3 basketball, car show, food and beer, and a festival parade at one pm. Concluding Wenona Days is a burnout contest, drawings and a chicken dinner.

Saturday storm recap

Mother Nature provided a small show across parts of our area Saturday afternoon. Eastern Putnam County and southern LaSalle County were under Severe Thunderstorm warnings about mid-afternoon. Early reports to the National Weather Service told of ¾ inch hail in Putnam County and in Sandwich. One Quarter inch hail was reported in Ottawa.

Big time at “Big Time Rush”

The sounds of hundreds of adoring fans having fun could be heard at the latest “Concerts for a Cause” featuring Big Time Rush. The foursome from California played for an hour to a crowd of around four thousand Saturday night at the Peru Municipal Airport. The Nickelodeon group opened their set with their hit “Famous”. Their set included an acoustic cover of the Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand”.  The group gave a plug to the Peru swimming pool fund saying the city needs a pool and that they would go swimming in it the next time their in Peru. Parts of the proceeds from Saturday’s show go to the swimming pool fund. Virginia-based boy band Days Difference opened the event.