LPHS launches campaign to build a “house” for the Transition Program

The basic skills that help you run a household are also important in holding a job and living independently.  Adults ages 18 through 21 that have cognitive disabilities can sharpen their social and practical skills with the Transition Program at LP High School.

School officials Tuesday night launched a campaign to build a ranch-style house where people in the program can learn.

Kristie Witte is a teacher in the Transition Program. She says they’re trying to give the participants the skills that would be useful in getting a job and participating in the community.

They’re calling the campaign, Building Dreams, Building Futures.  Witte says the project will cost about $120,000 but the total would vary depending on the amount of materials and labor that’s donated.

Much of the construction would be done by students in the Area Career Center with the supervision of their teachers.  They would still need professionals who could do the site work, plumbing and more advanced work.

If you would like to donate time, money or materials, contact Witte at the high school.  They would like to start work on the house next fall.

Quinn Coming Back To Peru

Your governor will be in Peru for the second month in a row.

Pat Quinn is expected to speak at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport around 4 o’clock Wednesday about state funding to overhaul and repair the city’s water treatment plant which was damaged in this spring’s historic flooding.  The governor spoke at the airport just last month about road money for Peru and the rest of the Illinois Valley.

After visiting Peru, Governor Quinn will head to DeKalb to flip the coin before the Northern Illinois-Ball State football game.

Ottawa teen accused of making false claim to the police

If a student is threatening to launch an attack at an area high school you would hope another student would come forward and tell the police.  But what if the student is lying?  

A 16-year-old boy at Ottawa High School could be in trouble after an investigation into a weapons threat at the high school last week turned out to be a lie according to the police.

Ottawa Detective Mike Cheatham says at no time was there a legitimate threat.

A felony disorderly conduct charge was handed over to the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s office.

“Boredom” Leads To A Couple Arrests In Oglesby

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

Linda Richards and Brenda Bowen from Missouri were parked on Interstate 39 near Oglesby Friday night waving a sign out their car window saying “CALL 911”.  Concerned drivers called 911 and when a trooper showed up, the women who are in their 50s told the trooper they were bored and just wanted to have fun with people.

Richards and Bowen were arrested for disorderly conduct.  They both posted and were released.

Winter Weather Blamed In Fatal Crash On I-39

71-year old Sharon Goldasich of McNabb was pronounced dead at the scene of crash in El Paso just after 8pm Monday.

The Woodford County coroner says Goldasich was crossing the overpass of Route 24 on Interstate 39 when she lost control and was hit by a semi.  The semi driver from Minnesota wasn’t hurt.

The crash remains under investigation.

Wreath Laying Ceremony Planned In La Salle

Wreaths will be laid on soldier’s graves and not front doors next month in La Salle.

The national group called Wreaths Across America will have simultaneous wreath laying ceremonies across the country on the morning of December 14^th.  Locally a ceremony will start at the La Salle Veteran’s Home at 11.  The remembrance will then move to Forest Lawn Memory Gardens for the actual laying of about 700 wreaths on veteran’s graves.

The effort costs thousands of dollars.  If you can make a donation to Wreaths Across America, go to http://give.wreathsacrossamerica.org/site/TR?fr_id=1120&pg=entry#.UoImBxAanGg