Jazz in the Street returns to downtown La Salle

Enjoy a cool fall afternoon and evening with live music, food, and a couple of drinks during a festival that’s become a tradition in downtown La Salle.

Jazz in the Street is Saturday.  You’ll find a stage, bleachers, and food stands set up between Marquette and Gooding Streets on First Street.  You’ll also be able to sample wines and micro brews under the tent.

Music begins at 4pm.  The night wraps up with fireworks at 9:30pm.  There’s no cost to sit and listen.

Closing Tamms prison means changes at Pontiac facility to handle inmates

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois prison officials promise that inmates moved from the high-security Tamms prison after it closes will continue to be isolated at the lockup in Pontiac.

But prison workers say making room for them means moving segregated Pontiac inmates into cells together. Workers say that’s potentially dangerous for them and the inmates.

An internal Corrections Department report obtained by The Associated Press shows one fight between formerly segregated Pontiac prisoners on August 24th – less than a day after moving into the same cell – only ended after two bursts of pepper spray from correctional officers.

Corrections officials say there are sufficient safeguards at Pontiac to absorb the Tamms inmates securely.

Gov. Pat Quinn says Tamms must close to save money. A lawsuit has held up the Democrat’s plan.

Weapons Of Mass Destruction Training In Ottawa

Don’t be alarmed if you see helicopters and police scrambling along the Illinois and Fox River in Ottawa.

The Illinois State Police and the state’s Weapons of Mass Destruction team are doing weapons of mass destruction training the next couple days in Ottawa along the river.  It’s only training.

Ottawa Police Chief Brent Roalson says his department, the mayor’s office and several businesses are also taking part in the training.  Places like Heritage Harbor, ADM and Pilkington could be crowded with training.

L-P Superintendent Says Yes Vote To Sales Tax Means Lower Property Taxes

Pay more in sales tax to pay less in property taxes?  That’s the proposition in front of L-P High School voters.

A countywide one-cent sales tax increase will be on the November 6^th La Salle County ballot with money going for either school construction projects or helping districts pay off debt and bonds.  L-P Superintendent Steve Wrobleski says if the referendum passes, he wants to use a big chunk of money on debt.

Wrobleski says the sales tax increase would be about 700 thousand dollars in new revenue for L-P.  The sales tax revenues would be dished out based on enrollment.

Ottawa Elementary School District has the biggest enrollment in the county.