Water And Sewer Bills Jumping Up In La Salle

The cost of living in La Salle just went up.

The city council voted unanimously Monday to raise water and sewer rates effective February 1^st.  Finance Committee Chairman Tom Ptak says it pained him to ask for the increases but needed to be done.  He says the city has to pay for $6 million in unfunded government mandates for the sewer system plus upkeep with water towers, wells and two waste water plants.  Ptak says the sewer department is costing the city $2 million more than what its making in revenue.

Under the new fee schedule, the base water fee goes up from $10.50 to $13.  The base sewer fee is rising from $8.10 to $15.  When you factor in other fees, Ptak says the average bill in La Salle will go up $17 a month.

La Salle Changes Mind On Banning Chickens

By a 5 to 3 vote, chickens have been saved in La Salle.

After voting two weeks ago to give people six months to get rid of chickens inside city limits, the La Salle City Council went back against that ordinance and rescinded the ban.  The council did vote to send the issue to the license and public health committee for possible regulations of chickens.

Clarissa Childers was the chicken owner who prompted the ordinance.  She lives on north Joliet Street. Childers told the council they that many cities allow chickens in city limits including Chicago.     Childers says chickens teach kids responsibility and also can save the city money by eating kitchen waste that would’ve ended up in a landfill.

Neighbors Erin Karlosky and Joanne Phelps aren’t happy living next to the chickens.  Karlosky says they smell and make noise and they simply shouldn’t be in an area not zoned agriculture.  Phelps wondered what else people could have if the city didn’t say no to chickens.  She accused the Childers’ of also having a skunk and five raccoons in on their property.

Doctor: Kirk stroke affected movement on left side

CHICAGO (AP) – A neurosurgeon in Chicago says Illinois Senator Mark Kirk’s chances for a full mental recovery from a stroke are good but he may not fully recover physically. Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Richard Fessler says the stroke affected Kirk’s ability to move his left arm, possibly his left leg and there may be some paralysis of his face. But the 52-year-old Republican appears to recognize those around him and is responding to commands.

 

Peru Smoke Shop Robbed At Gunpoint

Your help is needed in tracking down an armed robber in Peru.

Just after 9 this morning, police got a call that a man held a small handgun to the head of a worker at Peru Smoke Shop and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.  He was wearing a mask and wearing a black coat, black gloves and blue jeans.  The alleged robber is around 6 feet tall and 250 pounds.  He ran out the back door.

A K-9 was quickly called in to try and help in the search.  An officer was also sent to nearby Peru Catholic School just as a precaution.

If you have information, call the Peru PD or Illinois Valley Crime Stoppers.

Furniture Factory Burns Near Western Bureau County

Firefighters from Bureau County spent a big part of their Sunday fighting a fire.

Crews from Buda, Sheffield and Tiskilwa were among those fighting a fire at a furniture factory in Bradford.  They were called to the fire at Green Gables Furniture around 8am Sunday.  A majority of the building is destroyed.  Police shut down a stretch of Route 40 near the scene for a few hours yesterday.

No one was injured in the fire.  The cause right is unknown.

Area Pantry Needs Soup For Super Bowl

As you’re planning a Super Bowl feast, don’t forget about the local food pantry.

Tying into the big game, the Hall Township Food Pantry is holding a soup drive.  You’re asked to donate any and all kinds of soup to the pantry in Spring Valley.

The soup drive goes through February 5^th.

Commercial construction continued in 2011

Olive Garden, the Ancare Veterinary Clinic and Inman Electric were a few of the business the have been building in La Salle and Peru.

After issuing only one commercial building permit in 2010, four commercial permits were issued in La Salle in 2011.  Building inspector Brian Maddox says the largest project is the new Ancare Veterinary Clinic.  It’s valued at $1.4 million.

Peru Building and Zoning Inspector Frank Taylor says he issued five building permits for new commercial construction and 23 for commercial additions and renovations in 2011.

Among the permits in 2011, an Olive Garden that’s under construction near Kohl’s.

Only a handful of permits were issued for new homes.