Wife needed for TV show

On his upcoming NBC comedy, Michael J. Fox will play a newscaster who quits his job because of Parkinson’s Disease but returns to work in the show’s first episode because a new medical regimen has helped him control many of the disease’s symptoms.  NBC said Sunday the comedy closely tracks many aspects of Fox’s personal life and tries to have fun with an image that has left him an object of pity-fueled admiration.   The show doesn’t have a title yet. NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke said it will premiere in September. Although the schedule isn’t set yet, NBC is aiming to put it on Thursday night, where “30 Rock” and “The Office” are leaving in the next few months.  Salke said Fox is meeting this week with actresses who could potentially play his wife on the show.

Know your Flu rules

Emergency rooms are seeing a spike in patients as Illinois experiences one of the biggest flu outbreaks in the nation.  The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports  the typical flu season peaks in mid- to late-January and carries into late March. But health officials say major cases began appearing as early as Thanksgiving.  Officials say getting a flu shot could be the easiest way to avoid the emergency room. They also recommend washing hands regularly for at least 15 seconds and keeping a distance from others.

just a little at a time

A northern Illinois husband and wife have pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from a firefighting district where the woman worked as a bookkeeper.   The Rockford Register Star reported Saturday  Brenda Samuelson and her husband, Donald, pleaded guilty to theft of government property, conspiracy to commit theft and forgery.  Their scheme unraveled after a 2010 audit of the Pecatonica Fire Protection District’s finances.  An investigation revealed Brenda Samuelson made unauthorized disbursements from district funds to herself and her husband. Some were payroll checks made out to her husband, who did not work for the fire district.  They are scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 12.

You remember Walker, don’t you?

With Wisconsin bitterly divided, Republican Gov. Scott Walker is promising a more moderate agenda in the second half of his term.  Walker tells the Wisconsin State Journal he plans to focus on the budget and job creation in the upcoming session. And he’s predicting less political turbulence than his first two years as governor.  In an interview published Sunday,  Walker says none of the legislation he supports this session will prompt massive protests like those that rocked the Capitol soon after he became governor in 2011 and unveiled a plan to all but end collective bargaining for most public workers.

OHS teacher contract talks

Teachers and the Ottawa Township High School board have both had meetings with a negotiator. Now, the board will meet in special closed session Monday morning to discuss the negotiations. Teacher and Union negotiator, Steve Johnson said that despite working on a expired contract, people should not be concerned about a strike. Teachers at Ottawa High have been working this school year with an expired contract. They were on strike, as you may recall, for about a month in 2009.

From Utica to New York CIty

You may recall a story of a truck, a pastor and a pub owner setting out for New York City. Lyle Elsbury, owner of Duffy’s in Utica, Pastor Howard Smith of Waltham Presbyterian Church arrived and have been assisting in Rock-away – a Long Island peninsula raked over by Superstorm Sandy. Elsbury told AM 1220 WLPO by phone Saturday, what he saw reminded him of the destruction after the Utica tornado. Elsbury said one relief organization is planning on a two year project of repairing structures in the New York area. Elsbury and Smith will be there for a couple more days before returning home. A Con-Way truck loaded with 85 boxes of mostly clothes will arrive Monday. Donations were from patrons of Duffy, people around Utica and parishioners of Waltham Presbyterian Church.

　

　

State pension talks

The Illinois House is convening for a final push to find a fix for the state’s massive pension crisis.   Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan says he still believes an agreement is possible before Wednesday, when the current legislative session ends and new lawmakers are sworn into office.  Quinn announced last week a major sticking point had been set aside. That came as Madigan agreed to drop for now his proposal to shift pension costs for public school teachers from the state to local districts.  But the governor and legislative leaders left a Saturday meeting without a deal.  The House meets again Sunday afternoon. The Senate president has said the Senate will return Tuesday if the House can pass a pension bill.

OSF OB Doctor Controversey

Taking a beating on Facebook, officials with OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center are ready to talk about the controversial departure of two popular doctors.  Hospital officials plan to talk with the media today at 3 in the Ottawa Hospital about the “Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services”.  The meeting is in response to OB/GYN’s Jamil and Idries Abdur-Rahman leaving Ottawa for Waukegan.  Many of their patients believe the twin doctors are being forced to leave because of philosophical differences like offering contraception and vasectomies. One of the brothers posted on a Facebook page called “Save the OB Twins” that they were told they weren’t  “OSF team players”.  Hospital officials say they wish the brothers luck and it’s their choice to leave. Another Facebook page called “Ottawa against OSF”  has popped up since the doctor’s announced they were leaving.