Wenona Fire needed help

 

It took a lot of effort to extinguish a machine shed fire Friday afternoon in Wenona. Fire Chief Danny Sullivan said his department was paged about 12:30 to the south end of town. With the help of sixty five area firemen, Sullivan said the fire was contained by 2pm. According to Sullivan, the structure and contents, including two semis are a total loss. The cause is not known, but a State Fire Marshall examined the remains. The building is on the main drag and is owned by a local resident At least six departments including Streator, Peru and Utica sent manpower and equipment.

 

Stage 212 holding auditions for “Spitfire Grill”

The story of a woman released from prison who takes a job at a small café is coming to downtown La Salle.  Stage 212 will be producing a musical version of “Spitfire Grill.”

Auditions are Saturday from 1 until 7p.m. and Sunday at 1:30p.m.  They’re looking for three men and four women. Character ages range from 25 to 40 for the men and 25 to 65 for the women.

It’s being directed by Ellen Marincic and will be performed January 27-29 and February 2-5, 2012.

 

Signature Chef’s Auction raises money for March of Dimes

The dishes have been washed and the money counted from the March of Dimes Signature Chef’s Auction.  The annual fundraiser brought in $118,000 through raffles, a silent auction and a live auction.   It was held Thursday night at Celebrations 150 in La Salle.

Cause of Minonk fire still unknown

MINONK, Ill. (AP) – State fire officials say they don’t know if they’ll be able to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a half-dozen buildings in downtown Minonk in north-central Illinois.

State Fire Marshal division director Rich Crum tells The Pantagraph that’s because of the large amount of damage. The blaze started Oct. 26 in the town of 2,400 about 30 miles north of Bloomington. Some buildings were historic. One was built in 1888.

City administrator Doug Elder says officials will support business owners who are finding temporary quarters. An insurance office is using space across the street and the owner hopes to rebuild. A dentist is seeing patients in Toluca. An attorney has moved salvaged files and paperwork to his garage while work is finished on his building.

Survival workshop to be presented at Starved Rock State Park

Ever wondered what it would be like to live and survive off the land?  You can learn survival tools this weekend at Starved Rock State Park.

They’re holding workshops on Saturday and Sunday.  Starved Rock Activities Director Edna Daugherty says they’ll make this an annual event.

A fan of reality survival shows, Daugherty is especially looking forward to seeing how to set traps and snares.

You’ll also learn how to start a fire, identify edible and medicinal plants and practice primitive hunting by throwing sticks.  The workshops will be from 10am until 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

Drop in demand leads to delays in wind farm development

A drop in the demand for energy means it’ll be a while before you see more wind towers added to the La Salle County skyline.

The La Salle County Board Friday gave Iberdrola Renewables a one-year extension for a special use permit.  They’ve yet to start building a 100-tower wind farm in Otter Creek Township after announcing plans to do it a couple years ago.

An Iberdrola representative says the demand for energy is down so it’s not feasible to start a wind farm.

La Salle County Environmental Services Director Mike Harsted says the low demand is also delaying Invenergy from putting up more wind towers near Ransom.

150 units expected for Utica Veteran’s Parade

Have you thanked a veteran lately?  You’ll have plenty of chances this Sunday in Utica.

The fifth annual Utica Veteran’s Day Parade is at 1pm Sunday.  It will feature over 150 veteran’s units, Chicago Police Department Bag Pipe Band, and two different flyovers.

This year’s parade is dedicated to veterans of the Korean War.  There will be a ceremony at Danny Carey Memorial Park once the parade ends.  It’ll include speakers, laying of a wreath and a gun salute.