School bus carrying LP girls goes off road near Ottawa

We’ve learned now three LP High School students and a bus driver were taken to St. Elizabeth in Ottawa after their school bus went off the highway and into a field.  It happened about 9:15am this morning along Interstate 80 just east of the Route 71 exit at Ottawa.  The bus was  taking the freshman girls to a Morris basketball tournament.  News Tribune’s Matt Baker talked with LP Superintendent Dr.  Steven Wrobleski and learned the three girls were treated and released.  However, the condtion of the bus driver isn’ t known.

Woman found dead after a house fire in Morris

A house fire in Morris has turned into a death investigation.  Investigators say 61-year-old Charisse Kotowski was found dead in her garage after firefighters were called there for a fire late Friday morning.

It’s being investigated by the Grundy County Coroner’s office, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit, Morris Fire Department and the State Fire Marshall’s Office.

No challengers so far for La Salle races

If things stay the way they are now, the April election could be a boring one in La Salle.

So far, only incumbents have taken out petitions for next year’s city election.  Mayor Jeff Grove has taken a petition out so have aldermen Jim Bacidore, John Lavieri and Boo Herndon.

Current La Salle City Clerk Virginia Kochanowski has taken a petition out to run as treasurer while Monica Gapinski has a petition to run as clerk.

Spring Valley mayor to face challengers in April

It’s shaping up to be an interesting Mayor’s race in Spring Valley.

Four men have taken out petitions to run for mayor including incumbent Cliff Banks.  He could be challenged by former aldermen Walt Marini and current council member Jack Narczewski.

Former mayor Jim Narczewski has also taken out a petition but he’s not expected to actually turn in the petition to be on the ballot.

Banks actually defeated Jim Narczewski to take over as mayor in 2009.