Jazz music returns to La Salle Saturday

Once a year you can dance and drink in middle of First Street in La Salle.  That day is Saturday.  Jazz’n the Street is back and a month earlier than usual. 

          The festival includes a variety of jazz music performed live, food stands and wine and beer under the tent.  You’ll be able to sample wines from Illinois River Winery and August Hill Winery. 

          The music begins at 4pm with the local band, Double Dave Trio followed by Rio Bamba, a band with a Latin American sound; and finally Eddie Stephen’s Swing Express.  Fireworks will close out the festival at 9:30pm.

          You’ll find the festival set up on First Street between Marquette and Gooding.  The music is free. 

          Learn more about Jazz’n the Street by listening to an interview available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Two drivers ticketed after three-vehicle crash in Spring Valley

          Keep your eyes on the road.  Two cars and a pickup truck were damaged after a crash Tuesday night in Spring Valley.

          Police say Michael Weide of Magnolia rear-ended a stopped car on West Dakota Street and in turn was rear-ended by another car driven by Ashley Kemp of Hennepin.

          Weide and Kemp were ticketed for not slowing down to avoid an accident.  Kemp, a teen driver, was also ticketed for having too many people in her car. 

Gas Station Thieves Sought In Ottawa

Ottawa Police need your help in finding two men accused of stealing from the Circle K gas station.

Investigators released a surveillance image today of two black men accused of retail theft back on August 5^th.  Both men are black and in their 20s.

You can see a photo of the suspects on the 96.5 the Wolf Facebook page.  If you have information, call Ottawa Police or Crime Stoppers.

Moody’s keeping Peru’s bond rating at A1

A city’s bond rating can influence how much they can borrow and the interest they’ll be paying.  Peru’s bond rating is holding steady at A1.  Moody’s Investors Service says they believe the city’s finances are looking up thanks to an increase in sales tax money and anticipated growth in the General Fund balance.

Moody’s released the annual report Friday.  The rating applies to the city’s $17.1 million of General Obligation bond debt.

Treasurer Gary Hylla says he’s absolutely pleased with the report.

Helping the city’s cause are the Electric Light Fund and a below average debt burden.  Moody’s calls the city’s unfunded pension liability and its dependence on sales tax money challenges.

Security Being Beefed Up At IVCC

Do you feel safe on the campus of Illinois Valley Community College?  The school is close to having an armed officer patrolling the grounds.

According to the NewsTribune, the Oglesby City Council has put on file an agreement where one of their officers will watch over IVCC 20 hours a week.  The college will pay for the officer by either paying for overtime or a time and a half pay rate.

IVCC and Oglesby are also close to an agreement where the college’s baseball team can use Gandolfi Field next season.

Ottawa Bus Rides No Longer Free

There will soon be no more free rides in Ottawa.

The Ottawa City Council has decided to start charging for the city’s mini-bus service which currently costs passengers nothing.  The one dollar, one-way fee goes into effect October 1^st.  Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut balked at making Ottawans pay for something that’s traditionally been free been ended up supporting the increase like the rest of the council when it came time to vote.

Commissioner Dale Baxter says in order for the city to get grant money for the mini-bus and countywide busing, they need to charge at least a small fee for all rides.  Baxter says Ottawa’s mini-bus service is the only one not charging for rides in the state.

The council did bring up the idea of bus drivers having punch cards in case someone can’t come up with cash to ride.  Mayor Bob Eschbach says no one will be turned away.