Street work begins in La Salle

Don’t be surprised if you find some of the sidewalks torn up in La Salle.  Work started Thursday on this year’s street repair program.

The work is being done by Universal Asphalt and Excavating.  City Engineer Mike Furlan says they are starting by removing sidewalks for ADA ramps.  Afterwards they will mill the streets.  Streets included in the project are located throughout town.

Two Rivers Wine and Jazz Festival returns to the Ottawa riverfront

You’ll hear plenty of jazz music at the Ottawa Two Rivers Wine and Jazz Festival.  The annual festival near the riverfront begins Friday evening.

          The festival features a large wine tent featuring wineries from Illinois, plants, food, and live music.  Lobster will also be served though only a limited number of servings will be available.

          The music is free.  There’s a charge for food and tasting tickets.  The festival runs through Sunday.

          Learn more about the festival by listening to an interview at the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Governor calls lawmakers back after another credit rating downgrade

 The state’s credit rating has been downgraded by Moody’s from A2 to A3, the second time Illinois’ credit rating has been downgraded this week.   Moody’s says the downgrade is because lawmakers can’t steer the state from a path of fiscal distress.

          Governor Pat Quinn said Thursday this should be enough to convince the General Assembly that the pension crisis can’t be ignored anymore.  He’s calling lawmakers back to Springfield June 19^th.

LaMoille Buffalo Days Return For Another Year

Buffalo burgers will be a popular meal this weekend in LaMoille.  It’s the annual Buffalo Days Celebration.

The three-day event starts Friday afternoon with kid’s games, a beer tent, food stands, mechanical bull and a petting zoo.  Saturday’s entertainment includes a 5K run/walk, tractor show, craft & vendor fair, Buffalo Days Parade, firemen’s water fights, and a movie night.  Buffalo Days wraps up Sunday with a community breakfast and church service followed by volleyball tournament, Buffalo Wing Cook-Off, and a live auction.

Buffalo Day’s officials say the celebration also is a fundraiser for groups and activities in LaMoille.  They’ve used proceeds before to help fix the village baseball field and buy Christmas lights that are put up along Main Street.

La Salle Ready To Party

If you have a big appetite for spaghetti, be at Hegeler Park in La Salle by 6pm Thursday night.  The spaghetti eating contest kicks off the fourth annual Celebrate La Salle.

At the festival you’ll find food stands, a beer garden, live music and things to occupy your children. Children’s activities will open at noon Saturday and Sunday. Other highlights include Dreamwave Wrestling Friday night, the talent competition “La Salle Idol” Saturday afternoon, and a car show Sunday.

The festival will run from 5-11pm Thursday.  You can learn more about it by listening to an interview on the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Refunds Coming To Nicor Gas Customers

CHICAGO (AP) – The Illinois Commerce Commission has ruled that Nicor Gas must refund customers more than $72 million in a more than decade-old accounting scandal.

The figure is $9 million more than Nicor Gas agreed to pay in a February 2012 settlement. The extra money comes after the Citizens Utility Board and Illinois Attorney General continued fighting the case. A Nicor spokeswoman said the company would consider appealing the commission’s action Wednesday. The Citizens Utility Board said it would appeal because customers deserve more.

The Citizens Utility Board says Nicor overcharged residential customers by $300 million in a gas-pricing plan.