Relay For Life of Upper Illinois Valley receives honors

Raising money for a good cause is enough of a reward to keep up the hard work but it still feels good to receive acknowledgment.

Organizers of the Relay For Life of Upper Illinois Valley earned a number of awards and recognition last weekend during the Illinois Division Summit of the American Cancer Society.

The Mendota relay won first place in the state for growth of cancer-fighting funds raised for events in their population category.  Three of their teams were also honored at a reception.

They’re already planning for next years relay on Saturday, July 14^th, 2012.

Peru cracking down on signage

Take a close look at some of the utility poles and you’ll notice they’re loaded with rusty nails and staples, likely the scars of yesterday’s garage sale.

Peru’s code enforcement officer is cracking down on signage and says he’ll remove any sign placed on utility poles and city right-of-way.  This includes signs for fundraisers and events.

California men arrested for drugs on I-80

Long ways from home, two men from the west coast are accused of hauling drugs through the Illinois valley.

A state trooper says he pulled over Benjamin Blaustein and Jacob Mount-Finette of Berkeley, California Tuesday for speeding on Interstate 80 in La Salle.  After searching the men’s car, the trooper allegedly found over two pounds of marijuana in the trunk.

Blaustein and Mount-Finette were arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia and were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Pool Survey Headed Out To Ottawans

Not wanting to end up like Peru, Seneca and Streator when it comes to their closed city pools, Ottawa is looking at their pool’s future.

A public meeting last night gathered opinions on what should be done with the aging Riordan Pool that’s said to have five to ten more years of life left in it.  Engineer estimates have said it would cost over a million to renovate the pool and around three million to rebuild the same pool.

City Finance Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut thinks a multi-purpose indoor pool may be the best answer.  Members of the Ottawa Y and high school are also concerned about their aging pools.

A committee is mailing a survey to the public to ask what they want to do with Riordan Pool going forward.  They’ll take these results to the city council.

Eichelkraut wouldn’t rule out the possibility of a referendum to pay for a new pool.

La Salle Vet To Receive Purple Heart

A military Purple Heart isn’t something many people get.  A veteran from La Salle will receive one tomorrow.

Retired Army Veteran Jay Trimmer will receive a Purple Heart during a 4 o’clock ceremony at the La Salle VFW.  During WWII, Trimmer was held captive in a German prisoner of war camp.  He was freed at the end of the war.  Before being imprisoned, he was wounded in battle in Italy.

Current military man Congressman Adam Kinzinger is expected to be at tomorrow’s ceremony.

Miss Illinois To Speak With Area High Schoolers

Miss Illinois is bringing her safe driving message to L-P and St. Bede.

Hannah Smith is making stops tomorrow at 9:45 at L-P and at 1 o’clock at St. Bede Academy to talk about distracted driving.  In conjunction with State Farm Insurance, Smith will give a presentation on distracted driving involving teens.

She’s planning to spend about 45 minutes at each school.

Fatal Crash Near Ottawa Gets More Tragic

A crash north of Ottawa that killed twin sisters from Utica also killed an unborn child.

According to the NewsTribune, Elizabeth Sebby’s unborn daughter was also killed at last Friday’s crash on Route 23.  Elizabeth was in her second trimester.

Elizabeth was the passenger in an SUV driven by her twin Casey that collided with a semi driven by Rick Gott of LaMoille.  Elizabeth was pronounced dead on the scene while Casey died later at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  Gott wasn’t hurt.

No charges have been filed in the crash.