Rumors Swirling About L-P Coach

Could more changes be coming in the L-P athletics department?

A handful of parents were joined by the entire L-P baseball team in uniform at last night’s school board meeting.  None of them spoke to the board but were instead there to send a message amid rumors of coaching changes.  The school board met in closed session and talked to various coaches but made no decisions last night.

Last month, the board removed Greg Sarver as athletic director effective as soon as the school year ends.

Asbestos abatement required before demolition of old Peru Pool

A temporary fence covers a hole in the chain-link fence surrounding the Peru swimming pool.  The fence was damaged after a man drove through it and into the empty pool last week.

The fence is just one of a number of things that have to be done at the pool before it’s torn down.

Removing the asbestos from the pool house is estimated to cost no more than $10,000 according to Public Works Superintendent Gary Bleck.  He could receive permission from the city council next week to tell the contract to have it removed.

After the asbestos is removed they’ll hire a contractor to demolish the building, remove the old pool, and fill it in with dirt.

Any metal would be scrap for money and donated into the pool fund which is only has about 100 thousand dollars.  When asked Wednesday night why they would fill in the hole from the old pool if they plan on building a new one, Alderman Sherry Mayzsak said with the way fundraising is going there’s no way they were going to have a new pool in couple of years.

At least the repairs to the fence will be paid for by the insurance company of the man that crashed into the pool.

Lofty Goals Set For L-P

What do you think about a new L-P High School building complete with a parking garage, Olympic sized swimming pool and fieldhouse? Those are some visions of a planning committee.

A group of teachers, students and community members worked since January putting together a list of goals for facilities, technology, community engagement, student performance, and human resources at L-P.  Under facilities, committee members think the district should look at costs of renovating the high school versus building a new one.  They’re also proposing a fieldhouse, new sports complex in north La Salle, upgrade of Howard Fellows Stadium, an Olympic size swimming pool, parking garage and air conditioning throughout the school.

Other goals of the planning team are to: equip every teacher, student and administrator with a laptop; create a committee to look at bringing back more school spirit; and do an ongoing review to make sure compensation is about the same as similar sized schools.

School Board President Jim Quesse says it’s the first strategic plan developed at L-P and says it gives the board direction on where to go.  He did say they will have to prioritize before acting on any recommendations.

Firefighters called to minor fire at Carus Chemical

The roof was on fire at Carus Chemical.  Something Wednesday afternoon caught roofing materials on fire at the plant in La Salle.

La Salle Fire Lt. Brian Zeller says it was minor.  They were there for about an hour.  He’s not sure what started it but maintenance was being performed in the area.

LPHS presents “Once on This Island”

Add song and dance to your weekend.  LP High School students will be performing the story about love and social barriers, “Once on this Island.”

The musical focuses on a young girl on an island and a man she meets from the other side.

Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm in Matthiessen Auditorium.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens.  You can by yours at the door.

An interview with a few of the cast members is available at the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Illinois Mega Millions Winners Come Forward

RED BUD, Ill. (AP) – A retired southern Illinois couple has claimed the third and final share of last month’s record $656
million Mega Millions jackpot.

Merle and Patricia Butler are retired analysts and chose to accept the prize as a lump-sum payment of $158 million after taxes.  Holders of the other tickets in Kansas and Maryland anonymously claimed their prizes.

The Butler’s bought a $3 quick-pick ticket at the MotoMart convenience store in Red Bud.

Athletics On Chopping Block At IVCC

No sports are being eliminated as of now but changes are definitely coming at Illinois Valley Community College.

After saying that men’s and women’s tennis would be eliminated, a group from the public has come forward with a plan to keep the programs going with minimal financial support from the college.  IVCC officials think they could save 35 thousand dollars with the tennis cuts.  Trustees put off a final decision on tennis programs until May 15^th.

The trustees did vote to lower the total tuition waivers, or scholarships for volleyball, golf, softball, baseball and basketball from 74 to 50.  They think this will save 50 thousand dollars.

In another athletic budget cut, Athletic Director Tommy Canale’s position is going from full to part-time as of July.

Fire Destroys Tonica Business

There’s one less place to grab a bite in Tonica.  A fire heavily damaged the Station House Café Tuesday night.

Tonica Fire Chief Todd Anderson says they found out about the fire after someone called 911 around 8:45pm.  He says they arrived to find heavy smoke.

Area fire departments were called to help, including Peru with an aerial truck.  The building, which is owned by Tom Goskusky, is an old fire house.

Anderson wouldn’t speculate as to what started it.  Someone with the State Fire Marshall’s office was at the building Wednesday.

Ottawa Looks To Refill Canal

What a difference two weeks make.

After the Ottawa City Council tied on a vote earlier this month to apply for a grant to water a stretch of the I&M Canal, they re-voted last night and said yes to the idea.  Commissioner Dale Baxter voted yes after missing the vote two weeks ago while Commissioner Ed Whitney changed his vote from no to yes but only to see what it’ll cost.

Commissioner Dan Aussem continues to be against the idea.  He doesn’t think the city should spend thousands of dollars to re-water the canal while asking city workers to take pay freezes.

Drug Dog Hard To Replace

To have a successful drug enforcement team, you need the help of a drug dog.

The La Salle County State’s Attorney’s drug team is searching for answers after their drug dog Eddy was hit and killed by a car Monday night along Interstate 39.  State’s Attorney Brian Towne says he and his staff will talk about what to do this week to replace Eddy.

Eddy had only been with the drug team for a little over a month.  Their first drug dog was returned to her breeder because of heartworm issues.