Turn-around at IVCC needs to be replaced

A change of plans at Illinois Valley Community College is costing an extra $116,000.   “Unforeseen soil conditions” under the turn-around in front of the college means the turnaround will have to be replaced before the Peter Miller Community Technology Center opens.

The roadwork won’t delay the completion of the building which is scheduled for September 1.

 

Lane closures beginning Monday on I-39 bridge

          Maintenance to the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Bridge by Oglesby will have traffic slowing on Interstate 39.  Starting Monday one lane in each direction will be closed as crews apply a sealant to the bridge deck.

          The project shouldn’t take longer than two weeks, weather permitting.  Signs warning about traffic delays are posted.

Red Cross to be in Marseilles Saturday

As the cleanup continues in Marseilles, the American Red Cross is still there to help.

Members of the Illinois Valley Chapter of the Red Cross will meet with homeowners and business owners from 10am-12pm Saturday at the American Legion Hall.

If you’re a flood victim in Marseilles and haven’t picked up your $150 voucher from City Hall, you have until June 30^th to do so.  Forms are available to fill out to receive a second flood relief payment.

Village-wide garage sales planned in Ladd Saturday

          You never know what you’ll find at a garage sale.  Visit Ladd Saturday for their village-wide garage sales.  34 sales have been planned.  You can pick up a map of the sales at the Casey’s, North Central Bank in Ladd, the Post Office, and the Village Hall. 

You can also stop for lunch at the Ladd Community Center from 10am- 1pm.  They’ll be serving BBQ, hot dogs, chips, and pie.

Illinois Senate rejects House pension-reform bill

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois Senate has rejected a plan pushed by the House to solve the state’s pension crisis.

The proposal pushed by House Speaker Michael Madigan failed Thursday evening, with 16 voting “yes” and 42 voting “no.” The vote left lawmakers without a solution to the pension issue with only one day left before the Legislature’s scheduled adjournment.

The House-backed plan would cut benefits and increase contributions for employees to help cut a $97 billion debt in five pension systems.

But Senate Democrats prefer a plan by Senate President John Cullerton which offers employees a choice of benefits to forgo. He says that plan would survive a court challenge.

Area under many severe weather warnings Thursday

Thursday brought severe weather warnings for La Salle and Bureau Counties but not a lot of severe weather. Scattered storms packing strong wind gusts missed the Illinois Valley but left minor damage in neighboring Woodford, Livingston and Grundy Counties.  A tornado touched near in Whiteside County near Prophetstown but no damage was reported.

More storms were in the forecast for Thursday night and Friday.

Catholic Churches Merging In Spring Valley

In what’s become a sign of the times, catholic churches in another area town are merging.

As of July 1^st, Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony’s and Sts. Peter and Paul churches will merge into a new Parish called Nativity of Our Lord in Spring Valley.  The Diocese of Peoria says the merger comes after two years of planning.

Father Robert Spilman will be founding pastor of the Parish of the Nativity of Our Lord.  He’s been pastor at St. Anthony’s since 2004.

The diocese says none of the existing catholic churches in Spring Valley will close, but there will be a primary location for worship.  In Spring Valley it’ll be at St. Anthony’s Church.

Ottawa Teen Misses Out On National Spelling Bee Semifinals

A new wrinkle to the national spelling bee this year ended up costing Ottawa’s Ram Koganti.

Ram spelled both of his words correctly Wednesday but missed one of his two vocabulary questions which kept him from being one of the 42 semifinalists.  During the second round, Koganti was asked to define perfidy. The Wallace Grade School grad thought it was a humorous imitation but  its actually defined as an instance of betrayal.

Koganti did correctly spell vivace and guariba.

Federal charges after a meth investigation in Bureau County

Methamphetamine is an illegal and addictive drug police don’t take lightly.  An investigation by federal and local detectives has left six people from Bureau County indicted for conspiracy to manufacture meth.

U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois Jim Lewis announced the charges during a visit to Princeton Wednesday.   Accused are Shane Walters, Nicholas Hand Kyle Dye, Jenna Regal, Nikole Walters and Max Moritz of Princeton. Investigators believe the group had been conspiring for more than two years.

Everyone but Regal was scheduled to appear in federal court in Peoria Wednesday.  Regal was being hospitalized after having a baby.

If convicted, they could spend at least 10 years in prison.

Emergency Declaration issued in Marseilles

          Homeowners and contractors in Marseilles are busy repairing the houses that were damaged when the Illinois River swallowed much of the town during historic flooding last month. 

But the threat of flood waters remains, especially with damage to a damn restricting river flow.  It’s enough of a concern that Mayor Patti Smith issued an emergency declaration.

Chief Jim Hovious says they’re working with the Army Corps of Engineers and watching the river level.  He says Hesco sand barriers are being installed along the earthen dike.

          If the river comes within one-foot of topping the dike they’ll ask people to leave their homes.  Hovious says the risk of flooding is great because of the restricted flow and the rain predicted for upstream.