Ebert remembered and honored

 Movie critic Roger Ebert has been honored more than two months after his death by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Ebert, who worked at the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 40 years, took first place for online columns or blogs on large websites in the NSNC’s annual column contest. The group held its annual conference yesterday in Hartford, Connecticut. Ebert died at age 70 in April after a long battle with cancer.

Pension shortfall growing slower

Governor Pat Quinn says Illinois’ massive pension shortfall will grow at a slower pace of $5 million a day during the next fiscal year. But the Democrat says lawmakers must work “around the clock” to address the crisis. Illinois has the nation’s worst state pension problem. Quinn has given lawmakers a deadline of July 9th.

Town Festivals wrapping up

Earlville turns 150 years old only once.  The party ends today with a community breakfast and church service. A big parade is planned for the afternoon.   It’s a full schedule for the last day of Oglesby Summer Fun Fest.  Craft show, bags tourney in the morning.  Water fights,  free sundaes, Dream Wave wrestling  and a Wine tasting through the afternoon. Jake and Elwood and The Big Fun Band on the Heartland Bank stage at 7. 50/50 drawing and at 9:30 – fireworks.

Agreement at American Nickeloid

It will be business as usual at American Nickeloid Monday. A source told WLPO AM + FM  news employees a tentative agreement was reached Thursday afternoon. Two thirds of the union workers approved the three year agreement in a vote Saturday morning. Workers will see wage increases each year and they will keep their pensions. Workers are members of the United Steelworkers local 4268.