Tri County Fair Continues In Mendota

Rabbits and hogs will be some of the animals featured at the Tri County Fair Saturday.  The carnival and food stands open at noon.

Truck and tractor pulls are at 11am and 6pm.  There are also fireworks, live music and a beer garden at night.

Sunday night brings the bulls and barrels bash.  The demolition derby is Monday.

Admission to the fair is free but grandstand events are extra. The fair runs through Monday at the fairgrounds in Mendota.

Concealed-carry instructor applications available

     SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois State Police say applications for training to be a concealed-carry instructor are now available.

      State police made the announcement Friday, a week before a Sept. 6 deadline to make the paperwork available for those who want to teach concealed-carry classes in Illinois.

      Those who want to apply for a concealed-carry license in Illinois must successfully complete training from an approved Illinois concealed-carry firearms instructor. Illinois concealed-carry licenses will be available in early January. Approved instructors will be listed in a state registry.

      In July, Illinois became the last state in the nation to approve a concealed-carry law. 

     Online: Applications are available at http://www.isp.state.il.us/

Toluca celebrates with bocce ball and a carnival this weekend

          If you’re a fan of bocce ball or just small town celebrations, take a ride to Toluca this weekend.  Toluca Labor Days features a local talent show for kids, food, music and a one of the largest bocce ball tournaments in the state.

          Kids’ activities being at 10:30am Saturday at the new park.  The carnival and food stands open at 5pm.  The beer garden opens at 7pm.

          Sunday brings the men and women’s bocce ball tournaments. 

La Salle man accused of trying to bust into an apartment

          There’s a reason why doors have locks.  Police officers were called to an apartment on 10^th Street in La Salle early Friday morning for a man accused of trying to get in.

          Police say they found Jeffrey Elwell of La Salle outside.  He was arrested for felony criminal trespass to a residence and resisting a peace officer.  Elwell was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Labor Day Gas Prices

Headed out on a road trip for the holiday weekend? Prices at the pump vary across the Illinois Valley.

According to GasBuddy.com, prices in La Salle and Peru have shot up nearly 20 cents a gallon in the past 24 hours.  Most stations in the La Salle and Peru area are now selling unleaded for $3.55 to $3.59 per gallon.  Gas in Streator and Ottawa has actually come down about a dime since last week now selling at just under $3.60 a gallon.

The cheapest gas in the state is in Dixon at $3.34 a gallon.

Tax Time Coming Soon

Not to bring down your excitement of a long holiday weekend but here’s a friendly reminder that property taxes are due soon.

The second installment of property taxes in La Salle County is due Monday, September 9^th.  A 1 ½ per month penalty takes effect the very next day if taxes aren’t paid.

You can pay your taxes at the treasurer’s office in Ottawa by check, mail your taxes to the treasurer or pay by credit card or automatic withdrawal from your bank account. 

Heat Wave Nearing An End

There’s just one more day of oppressive heat to get through.

A Heat Advisory is in effect for the entire listening area from 11 until 7 today.  Highs across the area will be in the low to mid-90s.  Throw in the humidity and it’ll feel look 100 or warmer especially this afternoon and early evening.

Highs this weekend will fall back into the 80s with Labor Day looking nice with a high temp in the upper-70s.