Ameren rolls out plan to removed contamination at old gas plant

Removing contamination from the site of an old manufactured gas plant in La Salle will not be an easy or cheap job but it will be done.

Job trailers are already set up at the old Illinois Power Plant that’s east of La Salle’s south side wastewater treatment plant.  Peter Sazama is with a company hired by Ameren for the clean up.  He says crews are scheduled to begin removing asbestos from the old power house next Wednesday.  The building will be torn down in early November.

Excavation of the surrounding land is scheduled to begin October 23.  The area that’s being torn up includes property owned by the city, Ameren, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.  There’s also property being rented by Quality Liquid Feed.  The land would be back-filled with clean clay once the contaminants are removed.

Eventually, they would like to dredge the area of the canal west of what used to be Lock 15.

If you’re worried what this means for your health, Sazama says there will be five air monitoring stations and someone taking readings hourly.  They promised to post records of the readings and share them with city officials.

You’ll also see more trucks running from Water Street to Route 6.

Mayor Jeff Grove says he’s happy to see the work finally starting.  Ameren told the city several years ago they were going to remove the coal tar from the canal but that project was apparently delayed because they’re working with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and IDNR.

Men arrested during Streator drug bust indicted

The Illinois Valley looks beautiful in October but you’d notice if you’re locked up in jail.  A 20-year-old and an 18-year-old remain in the La Salle County Jail after a bust by TRIDENT.

Derrick Ford and Charles Spencer of Streator were arrested in September and indicted Tuesday on felony drug charges.

Spencer is accused of having ecstasy pills while Ford is accused of having cocaine.  Neither have bonded out.

Baker Lake path to be closed for repairs

          Baker Lake is a great place for walking and jogging but you’ll have to avoid the path at the park this week.   Starting Wednesday the walking and biking path will be closed for repairs through out the week.  The city would like you to not use the path while it’s being worked on.

          The city Monday night hired company to seal the asphalt path for $17,000.

Lawyer Says More Women Crying Foul Over Jail Treatment In Ottawa

More women are alleging mistreatment while at the La Salle County Jail.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Attorney Terry Ekl says more women have told him they were illegally strip searched while in the La Salle County Jail.  Ekl represents Dana Holmes of Coal City who is suing the sheriff and four jail employees for violating her civil rights and causing her emotional harm by stripping her naked after a DUI arrest.

Ekl is expected in court today to ask a judge to keep the jail from getting rid of other surveillance footage.  Todd Martin of the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office has said he won’t comment on pending litigation.

It’s Almost Burgoo Time

Come for the stew and stay for the music and crafts.  You’ll find a little bit of everything cooking and on sale at annual Burgoo Festival in downtown Utica.

You’ll be able to browse and buy things from the more than 200 vendors that will be set up this Sunday.  You’ll also find restaurants serving food, music and Burgoo stew.

Events begin at nine and wrap up at five though the stew has been know to be gone before the day is over.  Burgoo is a fundraiser for the La Salle County Historical Society and Museum.

Before Burgoo begins, there’s also a car show in downtown Utica Saturday from 3 until 9.