Major Route 6 Work Planned This Summer

Getting to Marseilles from Ottawa and vice versa will be a little tricky later this year.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is looking to resurface Route 6 from the Route 71 and Route 6 intersection in Ottawa to the east city limits of Marseilles.  The estimated cost is just over 2 million dollars.  In Bureau County, there’s also construction planned on Route 6 between Sheffield and Wyanet for 2.5 million dollars.

The Route 6 jobs are part of 486 million dollars in road and bridge projects announced this week by the state.

Hegeler Carus Foundation is looking for volunteers

If you’re looking for a new hobby or interest, the Hegeler Carus Foundation is looking for volunteers.  They’ll be training new volunteers in April.

You’ll learn about the architecture and history of the Hegeler Carus mansion and the families.  Volunteers are tour guides and performers.

They’re holding training sessions on four Saturdays in April from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.  If you’re interested, contact Tricia Kelly at the mansion.

Spring Valley candidates talk development during forum

A good looking downtown is a positive for any city.  The candidates for Spring Valley Mayor think improving their downtown is important.  The three candidates shared their ideas for economic development during a forum presented by AM 1220 WLPO and the Newstribune Wednesday night.

Third Ward Alderman Jack Narczewski says the downtown needs a lot of work and he thinks it would be a priority.

Mayor Cliff Banks says he’s worked hard to take care of the older buildings downtown and takes credit for improvements to the old Circus Bar, a building that had caused the city much strife.  He also says he believes in tourism and learning from what Ottawa had done with their downtown.

The other Third Ward Alderman Walt Marini says he would like to promote shopping locally and tourism with Barto Landing and to do that he would work with their economic development director and the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce.

You can hear the entire forum by going to the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Teen accused of battery remains in jail

A man accused of seriously injuring a woman at his home remains in jail.  18 year old Nathan Hawk of Ottawa was indicted Tuesday in La Salle County for three counts of aggravated battery.

Hawk was arrested nearly two weeks ago after an early morning 911 call.  At the time of his arrest, police said Hawk was being combative and had to be restrained.  An injured 50 year old woman was eventually taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  Her condition was never made public.

Hawk’s bond was set at $1million.  He also faces felony charges in Peoria County.

FOID Card Backlog In Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) – Is it because of the fear of President Barack Obama taking guns away? Or maybe more in-depth background checking?

State officials say there is a more than 60-day wait for an Illinois Firearm Owner’s Identification card. Illinois State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond says more than 70,000 FOID card applications have been received so far this month, on-track to be a program record. State police received 338,610 FOID applications last year.

Illinois has about about 1.5 million people with FOID cards.

Diabetes Affecting 10 Percent Of Illinoisans

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois health officials are putting out the word about diabetes management and prevention.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is joining the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness about the disease that affects nearly 10 percent of adults in the state. Yesterday was “Diabetes Alert Day,” a day set side to raise awareness.

You can prevent or delay diabetes by losing just 7 percent of body weight – that’s about 15 pounds if you weigh 200 – and through regular physical activity and healthy eating.