Ottawa expands facade improvement program

An attractive storefront is a big part of a business’s image.  People who own or rent buildings in downtown Ottawa can give their shop a facelift with the help the Façade Improvement Program.   The area of buildings eligible for the program is expanding.

After about four weeks of discussion, the city council Tuesday approved changes to the ordinance the expands the program to include buildings in the downtown TIF district and the commercial historical district which is part of the canal TIF.

Mayor Bob Eschbach says he and others had suggested that the rules be changed to offer property owners more money per square lineal foot and to include improvements to the back sides of buildings but those ideas didn’t receive enough support from the commissioners.

The façade program has been around for six to seven years and has been used for an estimated 15 properties.  The city’s share, which is never more than half of the total cost, comes from TIF money.

Police say they arrested underage drinkers in La Salle

The cops probably weren’t invited to the party on Edwards Avenue in La Salle over the weekend, but they showed up anyway.

La Salle Police arrested three people for underage drinking early Monday morning. Richard Taylor of La Salle, Austin Poole of La Salle, and Sammie Ziadat of Earlville were given notices to appear.

Levi Nave of Granville was old enough to drink but was arrested on a La Salle County Failure to Appear warrant. He was taken to the county jail.

 

Police believe a man was stabbed during an arguement in Princeton

An argument about a cell phone turned violent in Princeton.  A 29 year old man was hospitalized in stable condition after being stabbed repeatedly in the chest and stomach.

Police were called to a home on West Clark Street shortly before 5:30am Tuesday.  There they found the man suffering from multiple stab wounds.  The man from Princeton was taken to Perry Memorial Hospital while 33 year old Nakia Nielson of Delhi, Louisiana was arrested for aggravated battery.

Investigators think the two had gotten into a fight over a stolen cell phone that apparently belonged to the man who was stabbed.

Heroin Bust In Streator

One more drug dealer is off the street, at least according to the local drug team TRIDENT.

TRIDENT members searched Joseph Bertiaux’s house in Streator Friday and allegedly found heroin and paraphernalia.  He was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Bertiaux was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Ambulance Changes Back On Oglesby Council Agenda

Most if not all “Save Oglesby Ambulance” signs have been taken down.  So does that mean a new salary and wage ordinance will be approved tonight?

A vote on changes to the ambulance service was tabled late last month as Mayor Don Finley and Finance Commissioner Paul Danekas negotiated with Public Safety Commissioner Tom Porter and Ambulance Director Cathie Edens.  At last month’s meeting, Finley said both sides had made concessions.

One thing Finley isn’t budging on is scaling back pay and hours for the ambulance director.  Since she has claimed to work over 100 hours in a week, the ambulance board and Finley are suggesting hiring an assistant for the director who would get benefits.

In response to opposition by ambulance workers about the proposed changes, the Oglesby Ambulance Board wrote a letter supporting the council’s actions calling them “in the best interest of the city”.

Tonight’s Oglesby City Council meeting starts at 7.

Operation Claus Toy Drive Ready To Help Kids

It’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas shopping.  A motorcycle parade and toy drive will tour the Illinois Valley October 7th.  It’s the 6^th annual Operation Claus Motorcycle Parade and Toy drive.

This year’s parade will start in La Salle at 1.  The route will then go through Peru, Spring Valley, Oglesby and Utica.  In the past, cost to ride has been donating a new toy.

Besides toys, Operation Claus officials will also accept monetary donations.

Sandwich Fair Back For Another Year

The 125^th annual Sandwich Fair is almost here.

The fair runs September 5^th thru the 9^th.  Headlining this year’s entertainment lineup is country singer Justin Moore.  Moore’s had three top 10-country singles on the only two albums he’s released.  His #1 hits are “Small Town U.S.A.” and “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away”.  Moore takes the Sandwich Fair stage Friday, September 7^th.

There’s also harness racing, demolition derbies, and truck and tractor pulls.