Man arrested at a bar in Spring Valley

           A night at the bar turned into a night at the jail for a man from Utica.  Arthur Bradford was arrested for criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct after the police were called to Uncle Stewey’s Roadhouse in Spring Valley early Saturday morning.

          Bradford was taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Sand mine hearing continues in Ottawa

           Before a sand mine can open along Route 71 near Starved Rock State Park, the company running the mine needs permission to have a barge terminal near Ottawa.

          The Ottawa Plan Commission hearing begins at 7pm Monday in the city council chambers.  They could recommend that the city council approve a conditional use permit. 

          The sand mine would be operated by Mississippi Sands.  Environmental groups are against it because the sand would be used for fracking.

Homesteading Conference returns to IVCC

The do-it-yourself food and gardening philosophy continues to grow in popularity.  Learn more about keeping animals, canning and more during a Homesteading Conference Saturday at Illinois Valley Community College.

The one-day conference will give participants the ins-and-outs of growing, raising and preserving their own food as well as teach them how to turn their passion into a business.

            You’ll be able to choose from sessions about homegrown vs. handmade; Goats as the Centerpiece of a Diversified Homestead; Canning for Dummies; Freezing and Dehydrating; Backyard Poultry; High Density Gardening.

Cost of the conference is 79 dollars and includes a light lunch. The check-in and welcome is from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Saturday.  The conference runs until five that evening.  Call IVCC to sign up.