Flare-ups remain a problem at the Westclox building

While it’s back to normal for many of the businesses in the old Westclox building, the fire isn’t completely out.  Peru Firefighters were called back to the building for a flare up just after 4:30pm Monday.  They were also called in for a flare up late Sunday night.

Investigators believe the blaze was started on New Year’s Eve by two teenage boys.  Since then, firefighters have been called back to the building nearly everyday.

Reward offered in stop sign investigation

A missing stop sign could be deadly.  La Salle County Sheriff’s Deputies are looking for whoever knocked down stop signs at intersections near Leland, Serena, Sheridan, and Somonauk.

A $1,000 reward is being offered for anyone who gives information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Police suggest taking an extra moment to watch for approaching traffic.

Men accused of Lake Holiday burglaries will like face charges in Grundy County too

More charges will likely be in store for a couple of men from Earlville recently arrested for a rash of home break-ins in La Salle County.

David Jaco and Raymond McHugh were arrested Friday for residential burglary.  The charges stem from a burglary on December 5 in Lake Holiday.

Kevin Callahan with the Grundy County Sheriff’s department says he expects the two will be charged with residential burglary for five break- ins in Grundy County and also a few in Coal City.

Jaco and McHugh are being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Leaf burning and requests from Carus on La Salle City Council agenda

If you have an opinion about leaf burning in La Salle, Monday evening is your chance to let your alderman know.  City officials continue to consider banning or further limiting leaf burning.  Some say since the city offers a leaf vac service and yard waste bag pickup, there’s no reason to allow burning.

The public health committee will discuss a possible ban at 6pm in the council chambers.  The city council could approve new burning restricts when they meet at 7pm.

The city council will also talk about several requests from Carus Corporation to rezone an area of town from residential to central business.

Wiener Mobile Makes Unplanned Stop In The Illinois Valley

The Oscar Meyer Wiener mobile needed a lift.

The iconic symbol needed a tow truck after breaking down this morning south of Oglesby.  A state trooper says the wiener mobile was heading north on Interstate 39 when he drove up on it on the shoulder south of the Route 251 overpass.

The officer says he didn’t come away with any pictures or wieners.

Searching For Answers In Streator

Your help is needed in solving a rash of house fires in Streator.

Streator Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are putting out a call to the public for information about several arsons in the Streator area.  A couple of the fires last month were just a few blocks from one another.

Earlier last month, Michael Taylor of Kangley was arrested for arson for allegedly setting a pickup truck and garage on fire in Streator.

Rollover Injury Near Mendota

A car almost ended up in a creek outside Mendota.

State Police and Mendota Ambulance crews responded to a one-car rollover this morning along East 7^th Road in Meriden.  The initial call said the driver rolled several times and came to a stop just before a creek.

The responding officer said the driver needed to be cut out of their car.  It happened just before 8 o’clock.

Rally Against Sand Pits

When Ameren proposed power lines through the Illinois Valley, opponents created unique nicknames like SHOCK and the Route 71 Resistors. A similar thing is happening with the proposed sand mines.

Members against the proposed sand mine just east of Starved Rock are calling themselves PUSH, or Preserve Utica’s Surrounding Habitat. According to Ottawa Delivered, around a 100 people with this group rallied Sunday afternoon on Ottawa’s Jordan Block. The La Salle County Board will give a yes or no vote on the Mississippi Sand proposal Thursday afternoon.

Members of PUSH also oppose the proposed sand mine northeast of Utica south of Route 6.

Homeless Students Growing In Numbers

CHICAGO (AP) – Officials with Chicago Public Schools say the number of homeless students has increased compared with last year.

There were more than 10,660 homeless students at the beginning of the school year. That’s nearly 1,500 more than the same point in the previous school year.

The National Center on Family Homelessness reports that 57,000 Illinois children were homeless in 2010. That’s up from 30,636 in 2006.

New Ottawa Elementary School Open For Business

Believe it or not, there are some students who could’ve been excited to go back to school after winter break.

Fifth and sixth grade students in Ottawa get to start their first ever semester today at the new Central Intermediate School.  They had a one-day preview of the school before they left on winter break December 21^st.  The $25 million dollar school was done on budget and on time.  Groundbreaking for the south side school started last September.

The majority of the money is from the state and federal government.  They both gave the district rebuilding funds after the old Central School on along the Illinois River was flooded out in 2008.

To make sure there was backup cash, voters approved an $18 million dollar building bond referendum for the new school last year.  District officials hope to not have to use much of the bonded money.

A public open house to see the school is January 29^th.