“Christmas in the Valley” to be held Saturday

Christmas arrives Saturday in Spring Valley.  And while children won’t find any presents to open they’ll have plenty of things to do at Richard A. Mautino Library where crafts will be set up and at Spring Valley Ford.

You’ll also find a bake sale in the mini-park, a strolling

Barber Shop Quartet, and other activities from 10am until 2pm.

If you’re not ready for Christmas but would enjoy music, the United States Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors will be performing at 7pm in Hall High School.  While the concert is free, tickets are required.  You can pick them up at the Spring Valley City Clerk’s office.

Bourbonnais man being held in Putnam County for a drug charge

A man wanted by police in Putnam County was arrested in Kankakee County.  Jacob Cantrell of Bourbonnais is accused of selling drugs after an investigation by TRIDENT.

Cantrell was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and was being held in the Putnam County Jail with his bond set at $15,000.

Work underway to repair La Salle streets damaged during water main breaks

If you noticed people working near the sites of last week’s water main breaks in La Salle don’t worry, the water isn’t being shut off.  Crews from John Pohar and Sons and Trovero Construction have been hired to remove and replace the pavement that was damaged.

City Engineer Mike Furlan says they’re working at Sixth and Wright Streets and on Fifth Street from Gooding to Wright.  Trovero’s will be laying asphalt Friday.

Another company is replacing the sidewalk and curb at Third and Tonti Streets.  Furlan says they’ll need to install a handicap accessible ramp.  He hopes they’ll be able to have new asphalt put down but if not, it will be patched with concrete.

He estimates the repairs to cost between $45,000-$50,000.

Send off planned for Ottawa Pirates football team

As the Ottawa Pirates head to Crete for the quarter-final of the high school football playoffs, you’re invited to line the Fox River Bridge in a show of support.  You should also dress in school colors, red and white.

Their bus will be leaving at two Saturday.  Lineup will be at 1:30pm.  Coverage of the game on 96.5 The Wolf begins at 5:45pm with Jeremy Aitkin.

Depue Man Flown To Peoria After Head-On Crash

Three area teenagers were involved in a crash at Starved Rock State Park.

State troopers say a 16-year old unlicensed girl from Peru was on Route 71 inside the park Wednesday morning when she crossed into the path of an SUV driven by 18-year old Lynda Hernandez of Ottawa.  The teens collided head-on.

The 16-year old driver and a 16-year old girl from La Salle in her car were both treated and released at Illinois Valley Community Hospital.  A second passenger, Jonathon Johnson of Depue was flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  Hernandez meanwhile wasn’t hurt.

The 16-year old driver was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving too fast for conditions, having unsafe tires and failing to secure a child under the age of 19.  The 16-year old passenger was ticketed for underage drinking while Johnson was picked up for permitting an unauthorized person to drive.

The crash shut down Route 71 thru Starved Rock for several hours on Wednesday.

School Sales Tax Unpopular

Being against a sales tax increase for schools isn’t just a La Salle County thing.

Neighbors in Lee and Marshall Counties also said no thanks to a one percent sales tax increase on Tuesday.  The sales tax for schools question failed by only one percent in Marshall County but was easily defeated in La Salle County by eight percent.  Lee County voters resoundingly rejected the sales tax with 59 percent voting against it.

Eleven counties in Illinois do have the one percent sales tax for schools in place.  The tax is approved statewide in Iowa.

Taste Of Home Cooking School Returns to LP

You don’t have to study culinary arts in college to cook a meal, though a few lessons in the kitchen wouldn’t hurt.

Add a few new recipes to your menu with The Taste of Home Cooking School.  The live program takes the stage at LP High School Saturday.

Culinary Specialist Karen Davis will be preparing breakfast, dinner and dessert items.  There will also be door prizes after each recipe, gifts and area businesses with products and food on display.

Premium seat tickets are $20 each, balcony premium seats are $15 each and general admission is $12.  Tickets are on sale at Hy-Vee in Peru.

Doors open at 11am and the cooking school begins at 2pm.

The Taste of Home Cooking School is sponsored by AM 1220 WLPO, 99.3 WAJK, 96.5 The Wolf, and The Newstribune.