Polling Place Needed In Mendota

With the election under a month away, some people in Mendota still don’t have a place to vote.

La Salle County Clerk JoAnne Caretto says two precincts used to vote at the fireman’s building in Mendota but it’s no longer available. Caretto says she’s busy trying to find a new polling place and is looking at the Mendota Township building or a couple churches.

The building chosen must meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Union Workers Hold Picket Outside La Salle County Board Room

Getting into last night’s La Salle County Board meeting meant walking through dozens of picketing county employees.

Union workers covered by AFSCME held an informational picket before the board meeting in Ottawa.  They chanted and held signs demanding fair wages. Spokeswoman Danielle Majka says they’re just asking for a fair wage increase and contract.

La Salle County Board Chairman Jerry Hicks says he applauds the informational picket and understands their frustration, saying there’s frustration on both sides.  As for raises that other county workers have received Hicks says it’s all about equity adjustments.

AFSCME workers last received a raise four years ago from the county.  Their last contract expired in November.

Police search for man wanted for attempted homicid and custodial kidnapping

A baby kidnapped by its father and the father have been found.  State Police issued an alert Monday morning after the 26 year old from El Paso allegedly battered the mother and took her car with the baby inside.  It happened in Normal.

The man’s accused of attempted homicide and custodial kidnapping.   The search for the man was cancelled just after 1pm Monday.

Traffic Cleared Up In Princeton After Train Moves On

Traffic is back moving in downtown Princeton after a train ran into brake troubles this morning.

Princeton Police Chief Tom Root says at about 7 this morning, a car on a Burlington Northern Santa Fee train had its brakes lock.  As repairs were done, the train stopped at busy crossing at Main Street and Railroad Avenue.

Traffic was rerouted for over two hours.

Illinois River On The Rise

Steady rain and melting snow has area rivers on the rise.

Flood warnings are in effect for the Illinois River at La Salle and Ottawa.  In La Salle, the river right now is at 22 feet, two feet above flood stage.  The river is expected to crest three feet above flood stage tomorrow afternoon before falling.

In Ottawa, the Illinois is just over its flood stage right now.  The stream in Ottawa is expected to peak about a half foot above flood stage tomorrow morning before receding.

No major flooding is expected.