Peoria Bishop Reacts To Pope Selection

“He must be an extraordinary man”.  That’s Bishop Daniel Jenky reacting to the new pope.

In his official statement, Jenky said “the only way anyone assumes a job like that is an act of faith”.  He’s calling all Catholics and people of faith to pray for Pope Francis as he takes office in Rome.

Jenky says Francis is known for simplicity, holiness and charity.

Local Catholic school students watched as new pope was introduced

The election of a new pope was a big deal for students at Trinity Catholic Academy in La Salle.  TV’s were set up in time for students to watch coverage of the introduction of Pope Francis Wednesday.

Principal Dan Schmitt says watching it live made a big impact on the students and made it feel like Pope Francis was standing in front of them.

Schmitt says students were wondering who the pope would be and where he would be from.  Many of the students are too young to remember the election of Pope Benedict the 16^th

Homeowners forced to split water lines in La Salle

The water line from your house to the city’s main is your responsibility.  An estimated 150 houses in La Salle share a water line with their neighbor and as those homes are sold that must be corrected under an ordinance clarified by the city council Tuesday night.

Mayor Jeff Grove says homeowners that would need to have the water lines separated have received letters and some have already been through the process.  Separate water lines are required by the EPA though the rule isn’t usually enforced.

Splitting the water lines requires hiring someone to dig up the old line and have separate pipes running from the buffalo box to the houses.  Grove says it usually costs $2,500.

That’s a cost Aldermen Diz Demes, Jerry Reynolds and Boo Herndon don’t believe is fair to homeowners who aren’t selling their homes.  They voted against it.

Volunteers to clean-up tow path

          Families fishing, turtles and snakes, and the mules are some of the common sights along the Illinois and Michigan Canal tow path.  And so are empty soda cans and bottles and the occasional car tire.

          A group is meeting Sunday morning at Lock 14 to clean-up the tow path.  You can join them.

Jon Bastuck is the race director of the Canal Connection, a race that uses the tow path.  He says a lot of people use the path for running and he would like to see the debris picked up before the grass and weeds start growing.

If you would like to join the clean-up be at the Lock 14 parking lot by 9am Sunday.  Bastuck would like to have two groups working between the Interstate 39 bridge and the canal boat.

La Salle Plots Out Road Construction Season

Years of asphalt patches and new potholes make for a bumpy ride.  22 blocks of city streets and alleys in La Salle are on the list to be resurfaced this summer.

City Engineer Mike Furlan shared the list with the city council last night.  Included were stretches of Hennepin, Chartres and Fourth Streets.

The project still needs to be bidded out.