Rural Address Signs Become Law

The key to quick response for firefighters is to know where they’re going.  This should become easier in La Salle County.

The La Salle County Board last night passed an ordinance requiring every home or building display an address not only on their building but on a post near the road.  The county has established an enhanced 911 system and part of it is making sure all buildings in the unincorporated areas have addresses in the county dispatch system.

People living in the country have a year to buy an address sign for 45 dollars.  They also have to pay to install it.  The signs are available through the county.

If you don’t have the new signage up in time, you can get a 50 dollar fine for the first offense. Fines after that could be as high as a thousand dollars.

IVCC Tech Center costing more than expected

A new building planned for Illinois Valley Community College is going to costs thousands of dollars more than they had estimated.   The rising price of copper is partly to blame.

The lowest bid received for the Community Technology Center came from George Sollitt Construction Company of Wood Dale.  A committee approved the $21 million bid Monday.

Architect Paul Basalay blames an increase in electrical and ventilation costs since last winter.

College officials say a $2.3 million contingency was built into the total $30.5 million they plan on spending.

The bids still need to be approved by the Capital Development Board and the full IVCC board Sept. 20.

Narcotics investigation leaves Earlville man arrested

In case you need a reminder, selling cocaine will get you arrested.  A man in Earlville accused to selling to an undercover cop was picked up Monday in at his home.

Charles Trahan faces the charge of unlawfully delivery of a controlled substances.  He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail with his bond set at $75,000.

Machine malfunction postpones surgeries at St. Margaret’s Hospital

Many of the surgeries that were scheduled for this week at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley are being postponed after a machine malfunctioned.

A valve in the autoclave, a machine that sterilizes instruments, released steam early Monday morning into the surgical department.  While the machine is being repaired, Linda Burt with St. Margaret’s says the surgical department needs to be cleaned and many of the supplies need to be replaced.

They hope resume performing surgeries later this week.

In the meantime, emergency procedures that can’t be performed in a smaller room are being referred to other hospitals.

Repair work will close bridge in Dimmick Township

A bridge in Dimmick Township is going to be out of commission for about a week.  Repairs need to be made to the bridge on North 35^th Road, about a mile and a half east of Route 251.  It will be closed starting Thursday and will last for about one week.

Cow In The Road Kills Local Biker

Hitting a cow proves fatal for a man from rural Sparland.

Deputies say 48 year old Robert Snider was on a motorcycle Saturday night south of Route 17 when he hit a cow on the road.  Snider was pronounced dead at the scene a short time after by the Marshall County Coroner.

The crash remains under investigation.

Top Senator Says To Hold Off On Layoffs Talk

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says he’s told the governor he’s open to discussing shifting state budget money to avoid numerous layoffs and closing state facilities.

Madigan says the House intends to keep the spending limits it adopted for the budget and any changes won’t result in an overall spending increase.

Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed more than 1,900 layoffs and the closure of seven state facilities. He says both moves are necessary to live within the reduced budget passed by lawmakers unless they reallocate money.

The cuts are estimated to save $54.8 million.

Mineral Company Fire Remains Under Investigation

A company outside of Tonica was left with heavy heat damage following an early morning fire.  Firefighters were called out Illinois Valley Minerals Company just after six yesterday morning.

Fire Chief Gen Schultz says there were flames coming through the metal building when they arrived.  Area fire departments arrived with extra trucks and company employees helped the crews take down to large garage doors.

The fire was out less than an hour and a half later though they stayed until almost 11:30am putting out hot spots.  Schultz says the intense heat caused some metal beams to twist and sag and heavily damaged equipment and products.

Another company nearby, Dauber, INC, was not damaged.  The State Fire Marshall’s office is helping with the investigation.  They’re not sure what started it.

Teachers Hit The Picket Line

A new school year has brought labor unrest for some teachers in Streator.

Dozens of Streator Elementary teachers picketed outside the elementary education office last week.  They’re working without a contract.

The picket was just considered informational and the union hasn’t filed an intent to strike.  A federal mediator is involved in the negotiations with the district.

Another negotiation session is planned later this month.

La Salle County Board Choosing Nursing Home Leader

It looks like some stability has finally come to the troubled La Salle County Nursing Home.

Chris Csernus is expected to be reappointed tonight as the nursing home’s administrator.  He was unanimously suggested for reappointment last week by the county’s committee on appointments.

Csernus was hired last August to replace Amjad Hussain who spent less than a year on the job.  Hussain took over for Adrienne Erickson who was let go after the nursing home came under investigation for sex abuse complaints.