La Salle Animal Shelter Vying For Grant Money

When you’re a non-profit animal shelter, any grant money is a big deal.  Illinois Valley Animal Rescue needs your support in trying to win grants up to ten thousand dollars.

IVAR is the leading vote getter in Illinois so far in Petfinder’s Shelter Challenge.  If IVAR holds onto the top spot in Illinois, they would get a thousand dollar grant.  If they fall to second or third, they would get pet beds and or 100 donated vaccinations.  The national top vote getting shelter receives a 10 thousand dollar grant.

Voting continues through April 28^th.  To vote for IVAR go to: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3&link=ctg_ars_shelterchallenge_from_shelterchallengeconfirmation

Oglesby Leaders Talking Layoffs

Pensions aren’t just a Springfield problem, they’re also proving to be a headache in Oglesby.

Thanks in large part to the state passing down 100 thousand dollars in unplanned costs for police pensions, the Oglesby City Council is scrambling for ways to pay the bills.  After making cuts and raising taxes, the council is now talking layoffs.

Finance Commissioner Paul Danekas says he hopes to reopen contracts with union members to look at wage cuts before laying anyone off.  But Streets Commissioner Dennis Yborra doesn’t think wage cuts will get the needed savings that layoffs will.

Danekas says they’ll need to cut two full-time workers with benefits to cover the added pension costs.  No specific jobs were mentioned as being on the chopping block.

Boil order in LaSalle

Due to a water main break North of   LP Monday there is a boil order in LaSalle until further notice. It’s for  7th and 10th streets from Peru to Bucklin. Crews were still working on the break as of 8pm Monday

Water main break causes shut off and boil order in La Salle

          With cold weather comes water main breaks.  Water was shut off Monday afternoon in an area of La Salle north of LP High School to fix a break.

          Homes affected are on Chartres Street between 7^th and 9^th Streets and between Peru and Creve Coeur Streets between 7^th and 9^th Streets.

          There will be a boil order for that area after the water is back on.

Author to visit LPHS

          Creative writing is a gift.  English students at LP High School will receive a writing lesson from an award-winning author.  James Kennedy writer of The Order of the Odd Fish visits the school Tuesday.

          Students will hear a couple of presentations in the morning and participate in workshops in the afternoon. 

The Order of the Odd Fish was a Smithsonian Notable Book for Children in 2008. 

Man Accused Of Burglary At Local Resale Shop

People will do just about anything to get their drug fix.

Christopher Bezely of Spring Valley is accused of burglarizing M & D Resale in Spring Valley so that he could sell merchandise in Chicago for drugs.  Officers say surveillance tape shows Bezely burglarizing the store last Thursday night.  He was arrested yesterday.

Bezely was taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Lostant Fire Under Investigation

A member of the state fire marshal office will be in Lostant today to try and find out why a farm house caught fire.

Brian and Betsy Cain and their six children are okay after the fire on North 16^th Road Saturday evening.  A family cat did die in the fire.

The Red Cross has stepped in to help the family with a place to stay.  Firefighters say they lost everything.

Firefighters had the blaze under control in about a half hour.

Cold Snap Settles In Over The Valley

Bundle up if you’re heading out Monday afternoon and night.  Bitterly cold temperatures will feel even colder due to the wind.  The National Weather Service says a wind chill advisory will be in place from 6pm Monday until 10am Tuesday.

The wind could make it feel like -20 Monday night.  Make sure you’re dressed for the weather and protecting your skin from frost bite.

Security Ramped Up For Inaguration Day

WASHINGTON (AP) – Spectators at inauguration events should prepare for tight security, long lines and downtown road closures.

Inauguration-goers will be screened at security checkpoints, but officials hope that additional metal detectors and staff will help ease the congestion. There are flight restrictions in the skies over Washington and extra security on the waterways. There’s also a long list of prohibited items, including glass containers, large signs and bicycles.

Protesters are expected at various spots along the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route. A small group of anti-abortion demonstrators picketed near the White House on Sunday.