Bullying Problem At L-P?

A survey of students, parents and staff says LP is for the most part a safe, challenging and supportive learning environment.

Over 800 students, 90 parents and 100 staffers at LP gave praise and criticism about the high school’s environment.  Around 85 percent said they felt L-P provides a safe, challenging and supportive environment.  Students, parents, and staff all praised the school for using social media along with providing rewards through their Renaissance program.

On the downside, students, parents and staff all say: bullying is a problem at LP; some classes are not challenging enough; and there needs to be parent-teacher conferences.  Even students talked about the need for more parent-teacher communication.

School officials say their next step is to address bullying.

TRIDENT make marijuana arrest in Streator

There might be one less person to buy marijuana from in Streator.  Police believe they’ve arrested a man that was dealing in the Streator area.

Steven Neumann of Streator was arrested Wednesday by members of TRIDENT.  Police say they found 450 grams of marijuana while searching his home.

Neumann was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to delivery and was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

A teenager that was there, Klara Lee Regina Davis was given a ticket for allegedly having a small amount of marijuana.

Old prom dresses get a second life with Princeton fundraiser

Look inside your wife’s closet and there’s a good chance you’ll find a collection of old prom and bridesmaids dresses that were only worn once.  A church in Princeton is using the old dresses to raise money for two local causes.

Girls and bridesmaids alike can buy used dresses for $50 or less at The Promise Sale.  They’ll also find shoes and accessories, and goody bags.  A fashion designer will also be available to suggest ideas for alterations.

The Promise Sale is Saturday, March 2 from 9-3 at The First United Methodist Church of Princeton.

Money raised during the sale will go to the Living Works Suicide Walk and the Princeton Ministerial Association.

KKK propaganda lands in Ottawa yards

Zip lock bags including fliers for the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and rocks have been landing in yards in Ottawa and parts of rural La Salle County.

The Ottawa Police Department was startled enough by the propaganda they issued a press release Wednesday asking for information.

Police Captain Mike Kessinger says distribution of the fliers appears to be random.  He doesn’t believe any one person was targeted.  He believes the fliers were downloaded from the internet.

When asked if a crime was committed, Kessinger says the only possible crime was littering.

Layoffs Looming In Oglesby

Layoff notices have gone out in Oglesby.

According to the NewsTribune, Oglesby Commissioner Dom Rivara says layoff notices have been given to five city workers.  The job cuts involve a mix of full and part-time employees in the parks, electric and water departments.  Rivara says they will also not hire any summer help except for the swimming pool.

Mayor Don Finley says the layoffs won’t be official until the council votes next month.  He’s hoping to negotiate pay freezes or cuts with other departments to avoid the layoffs.

The city is scrambling to find ways to pay pension obligations that were handed down to them unexpectedly by the state.

Three Women Hurt In Crash Near Marseilles

Three area women were hurt in a crash north of Marseilles.

Just before 8:30 yesterday morning, Amy Eckert of Morris and Sarah Maierhofer of Marseilles crashed at a county road intersection just south of Interstate 80.  Eckert was blamed in the crash since she was ticketed for failing to yield at the intersection.

Eckert, Maierhofer and Eckert’s passenger Abby Peterson of Morris were all taken to Morris Community Hospital.

Drew Peterson Could Be Sentenced Today

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) – A hearing will resume to determine if Drew Peterson gets a new trial on charges he murdered his third wife.

Peterson’s lawyers are asking for a retrial on grounds that his lead attorney at the 2012 trial failed to adequately defend him. Will County Judge Edward Burmila heard a full day of testimony Tuesday before recessing without a ruling. The hearing resumes this morning.

The judge has said he’ll proceed straight to sentencing if he rejects the defense request for a retrial.  The 59-year-old Peterson faces a maximum 60-year prison term for Kathleen Savio’s death.