Laborers picketing Carus Corporation

The inflatable rat outside of the old Westclox building in Peru is not a Christmas decoration.  Members of Laborers Local 393 have spent the week picketing the company across the road, Carus Corporation.

Todd Stehl is the union’s business manager.   He says they’re upset that Carus has hired an out-of-state contractor to put up a fence on property near Ottawa.

Carus is creating a new landfill which requires a security fence. Ed Stec, Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety and Security says last month five area contractors were allowed to bid for the fence installation job.  The company chose Lovewell Fencing of Davenport, Iowa because they say they met the requirements and had the most competitive pricing.

Stec says the fence is only a part of the project and other jobs will be done by union workers.

He says they hope to begin work in the next few weeks.

Ottawa student received a sneak peak of new middle school

Believe it or not, there could be some students in the area who will be excited to go back to school after winter break.

Students in Ottawa got a sneak peak of the new Central Intermediate School Wednesday before going on holiday break.  The multi-million dollar school is done on schedule and on budget.  A public open house is scheduled January 29^th.

After major flooding in September of 2008, students were scattered to a church and another school.  In August of 2009, a closed Wal-Mart was turned into the temporary school.  Ground was then broken September of last year for the new south side school.

Students start there first full semester at the new school January 9^th.

La Salle and Putnam County unemployment figures remained in doubled digits

If one of your goals of 2012 is to find a new job, the market remains tough but new jobs are being added.  The November unemployment numbers show the Ottawa- Streator area at 10.5%, down half a percent from last November.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says over the year, jobs were added in education and health services but more were lost in manufacturing and government.

November unemployment for La Salle County was 10.8%.  Bureau County unemployment was 9.6%.  Putnam County unemployment was 10%.

“Tree of Hope” close to being completely lit

The Christmas tree outside of the Horizon House on Plank Road in Peru is mostly lit except for 27 bulbs.  The Tree of Hope as it’s called gets brighter the closer the service edges toward their fundraising goal.

Carol Fesco with Horizon House says they’re making the final push to reach 40 thousand dollars and are less than 14 hundred dollars short.

She’s hoping to receive donations so the tree will be completely lit by 4pm tomorrow.

If you would like to make a donation, stop by the Horizon House before 4pm tomorrow.  You can also call in your pledge.

Local Housing Sales On The Upswing

It’s not a huge improvement but home sale numbers are going up in the Illinois Valley.

According to the Illinois Realtors Association, 69 homes were sold in La Salle County in November, up from 66 a year ago. Twenty-two homes were sold last month in Bureau County, six more than last November. Putnam County had five houses go off the market in October, up from one last year.

Eleven counties, most in southern Illinois didn’t sell one house last month.

Drug Bust In Peru

The latest drug arrest in Peru involves an addictive pain killer.

Peru detectives along with the Spring Valley K-9 searched the apartment of Eddie Sardon yesterday on 4th Street in Peru. They allegedly found methadone.

Sardon was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He was taken to the county jail.

Crash Near Marseilles Injures Three

Three women were hurt in a two car crash north of Marseilles.

Deputies say Brenda Mondy of Seneca failed to yield at the intersection of North 30th and East 24th Roads just south of Interstate 80. She collided last night with Rosealynn Daniels of Marseilles.

Mondy was ticketed for failing to yield and taken to Morris Community Hospital. Daniels and her passenger Kritina Carmen of Marseilles were both taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital.

Holiday Rush At Chicago Airports

CHICAGO (AP) – An estimated 2.7 million passengers are expected to fly in and out of Chicago airports through Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Chicago airport officials say today is the busiest day of the holiday travel period at O’Hare. They project Friday as the busiest day for Midway.

The Chicago Department of Aviation will offer free gift-wrapping Thursday and Friday. Choirs and other performances are scheduled in terminals at both airports.

Inmate Doesn’t Come Back After Father’s Funeral

Do you think jail inmates accused of sex abuse should be let out temporarily for a death in the family?

Whiteside County officials may be regretting their decision to let Steven Guzman out so he could be at his father’s funeral. Deputies say Guzman hasn’t come back to the jail.

He has a Sterling address but has ties to Mendota. Guzman spent time in 2009 in the La Salle County Jail. He was currently in jail for sexually abusing a minor.

If you have information about Guzman, call the Whiteside County Sheriff’s Office.