Over $3.5 Million Wagered On Video Gaming In La Salle County

Have you tried out any of the area video gaming machines? Looking at money wagered, many of you have.

According to the February numbers from the Illinois Gaming Board, a dozen businesses in the listening area had between 100 to 559 thousand dollars gambled in their machines last month.  Road Ranger in Princeton had the most action with 559 thousand dollars played and 516 thousand dollars won.

Revenue wise, the city of Ottawa raked in 55 hundred dollars from its six gambling locations.  The city of Mendota made 25 hundred dollars, La Salle County 24 hundred dollars, Princeton 23 hundred dollars and Peru 22 hundred dollars.

So far places like La Salle, Marseilles, Oglesby and Streator have been slow to accept video gaming.  La Salle and Oglesby only have two active video gaming locations while Marseilles and Streator have one.

Only one spot in the listening area had more money won than gambled and that was Bulldog’s Bar in Oglesby.  Because gamblers won 39 dollars more than they put in at Bulldog’s, the city of Oglesby got no revenue from those machines.

Oglesby did make 118 dollars off of video gaming at Lizzie’s Lounge.

Peru Police plan extra patrols for St. Patrick’s Day

Like it or not, the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day has turned into a weekend of parties and drinking.  And it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Peru Police Department.

Deputy Chief Bob Pyszka says they’ll have extra patrols to catch drunk drivers Thursday through Sunday.  He says if you’re going to be drinking for St. Patrick’s Day have a designated driver and if you’re throwing a party remember you’ll be responsible for an accident caused by a drunken guest.

Renewable energy credits drop in value

The electricity generated by Peru’s hydro-electric plant once earned the city more than half of a million dollars but that’s hardly the case today.

Renewable Energy Credits fetched $17 each when they first sold credits in 2009 according to City Clerk Dave Bartley.  Now the credits are worth a mere 40 cents each.

The city council approved the sale of 32,000 energy credits Monday night. They’ll make just less than $13,000.

Bartley says the value of the energy credits declined as more wind farms came online. Money from the sale goes back into the city’s electric fund.

Floodwater Affecting Starved Rock

The elevated Illinois River is causing issues at Starved Rock State Park.

The riverfront parking areas at the park along the Illinois River are closed because of flooding.  All trails and the visitor’s center are still open.

Flood Warnings remain in place for the Illinois River in both La Salle and Ottawa.  The Illinois in La Salle is four feet above flood stage right now.  It’s expected to rise almost a foot more before cresting tonight.

The Illinois River in Ottawa is more than a foot above flood stage right now.  It’s forecast to rise just a little more before falling back below flood stage tonight.

No major flooding is expected.

Streator Man Receiving High Military Honor

STREATOR, Ill. (AP) – Joseph Panno has been long-recognized as a soldier who fought his way through France during World War II. But a new honor will soon come the Streator man’s way.

Panno will receive the French Legion of Honor on March 20 before a Streator City Council meeting. The French government awards the medal to soldiers who saw combat against Nazi Germany’s troops.

The 92-year-old Panno was a U.S. Army machine-gunner in 1944 and ’45 in France, Belgium and Germany, earning the Bronze star and combat infantry badge. Panno recently learned he was eligible for the French honor, so he applied and will soon be decorated.

Education Merger Approved Between La Salle, Putnam And Marshall County

The Regional Office of Education serving Marshall and Putnam Counties needs a home.  La Salle County is willing to provide one.

La Salle County Regional Schools Superintendent Chris Dvorak met with ROE reps of Marshall and Putnam Counties and says they’re receptive to consolidating into La Salle County.  The La Salle County Board approved the merger last night.

Last year, Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill cutting the number of ROE’s in the state from 44 to 35.  Each ROE has to cover at least 61 thousand students or else consolidate.

The Marshall-Woodford-Putnam County ROE has under 61 thousand people so La Salle County is taking over representation for the Putnam County School District, Midland Schools and Henry-Senachwine Schools.  La Salle County Superintendent Chris Dvorak says they’re still working on financial details of the consolidation.  He wants the main office to stay in Ottawa.