Peru picks an insurance plan with Blue Cross-Blue Shield

Health insurance plans are changing for nearly everyone, including the City of Peru employees.  Faced with a steep increase in cost, the city’s finance committee shopped around for a plan closest to what they already had with Blue Cross-Blue Shield according to Alderman Dave Potthoff.

After narrowing their options to three plans, including a self-funded plan with Mutual Medical, the city council Wednesday night approved a plan with Blue Cross-Blue Shield.

Potthoff says employee deductibles and out-of-pocket costs will be unchanged but the city is assuming more of a back-end risk.  He says they will save money if claims are similar to how they have been in recent years.

Wreaths To Be Placed On The Graves Of Veterans Saturday

You don’t have to know the U.S. military veterans buried at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens to place wreaths on their graves.  As the name implies, Wreaths Across America is holding simultaneous wreath laying ceremonies across the country Saturday morning.

You can watch the ceremony at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in La Salle at 11am.  From their volunteers will go to Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in La Salle to place wreaths on the graves of veterans.

Toni Lucas is the local coordinator.  She says they have about a dozen people to hang 431 wreaths and could use more help.  If you would like to help, be at the ceremony.

The effort costs thousands of dollars.

Illinois Valley Food Pantry prepares for Christmas distribution

Add a ham and stuffing mix to your Christmas shopping if you may.  The Illinois Valley Food Pantry is restocking for Christmas and they need four-pound hams, instant potatoes, stuffing mix, green beans and canned fruit.  They’ll also take canned frosting, cake mix and Jell-O mix.

If you don’t want to donate food, you can donate cash.  Donations can be left at the pantry on Marquette Street in La Salle Mondays through Fridays.

Christmas distribution is Saturday, December 21^st.  If you would like your family to receive a donation, sign up by next Wednesday.

Weather spotters measured two inches of snow in La Salle County

How much new snow did you get?

Two inches was tops for the Illinois Valley with weather spotters in Marseilles, Princeton and Sheridan measuring a couple inches of fresh snow Wednesday morning.  Earlville, Mendota and Ottawa all had around 1.5 inches while La Salle and Streator had less than an inch.

More accumulating snow is possible Friday night into Saturday.

Candlelight vigil to be held for former Putnam County teacher

The Putnam County School District continues to mourn the loss of one of its teachers.

55-year old Judy Gedraitis died Monday, December 2nd from a sudden illness while in London, England for her daughter’s wedding.  A candlelight memorial service to remember Gedraitis will be this Sunday at 6:30 inside the Putnam County High School gym.

Gedraitis taught English at Putnam County.

Health Care Enrollment Deadline Approaching

CHICAGO (AP) – Federal officials say more than 7,000 Illinoisans signed up for insurance coverage in the first two months of the troubled HealthCare.gov website.

Enrollment figures released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services show the pace picking up for President Barack Obama’s new health insurance markets.

But the Illinois tally is still less than 30 percent of what federal officials originally projected the state’s enrollment would be after two months. Illinois is relying on the federal website because the Legislature didn’t approve a state-run marketplace

There’s a Dec. 23 enrollment deadline if you want to have coverage to start Jan. 1.

New Year Brings New Cell Phone Law In Illinois

Three weeks from today, you’ll have to put the cell phone down while driving even if you’re not texting.

A new law starts January 1st where you can only talk on a hands-free device like a Bluetooth system while driving.  Hands-free devices usually cost between 50 to 100 dollars.  A ticket for being caught talking on your phone while driving is 75 dollars.

State Trooper Craig Graham in La Salle says the law won’t end distracted driving.  He says whether your on a phone or talking through a hands-free device, the problem is thinking more about the conversation than driving.

Snow Then Brutal Cold For The Illinois Valley

If you don’t have to go outside Wednesday night into Thursday morning, then don’t.

A Wind Chill Advisory takes effect at 6pm Wednesday and runs through 5am Thursday.  Temperatures will fall throughout the day Wednesday, eventually getting below zero in the evening.  The cold combined with snow on the ground and a northwest wind means wind chill values could dip to around 20 below zero.

Be sure to bundle up if you have to go outside since wind chills down to 20 below can cause frostbite or hypothermia.