Bald Eagle Watch Weekend Returns In January

Drive along the Illinois River and you just may see a majestic bald eagle.

The 17^th Annual Illinois Audubon Society Bald Eagle Watch Weekend is planned for January 25^th and 26^th in and around Starved Rock State Park.  Besides bald eagle viewing there will be demonstrations on raptors and birds of prey, Native American dancers plus kid’s activities.

For more information on the Bald Eagle Watch Weekend clickhttp://illinoisaudubon.org/PROGRAMSEVENTS/BaldEagleWatchWeekend.html .

State Jobless Rate Goes Down

The Illinois unemployment rate is down to 8.7 percent.

That’s an improvement from October’s 8.9 percent jobless rate. It’s the lowest Illinois’ unemployment rate has been all year. The state added 10,000 jobs in November.

County unemployment rates will be released later in the month.

Winter Storm watch issued for Bureau and Putnam counties

Bureau, Putnam and Lee counties will be under a Winter Storm watch from 6pm Saturday to 6pm Sunday.

A mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected Saturday evening changing to all snow late Saturday night and continuing through Sunday. Snow accumulations will be 3 – 7 inches…the heavier amounts, at this time, expected across Iowa and lesser amounts to the east. An inch of sleet is also possible.

Gusty North winds will reach 30 mph causing reduced visibility and blowing snow.

Questions Surround Wrestling Coach Resignation At L-P

More coaching issues at L-P.

The school board last night accepted the resignation of former varsity wrestling coach and assistant track and field coach Matt Fletcher.  He was also a full-time security greeter but is no longer working at the school.

According to administrators, they received “certain information” Monday morning and Fletcher resigned later in the day.  The director of communication at L-P Matt Baker says “as with all personnel matters the district is limited to what can be released”.

L-P Does Away With Final Exam Exemptions

Do you think its right that L-P students can skip final exams if they get good grades and have near-perfect attendance?  Starting next year, the incentive is being taken away.

The L-P School Board last night decided that students will take all exams starting next fall.  Superintendent Steve Wrobleski says there are other attendance incentive programs the school offers and going through exams will be prepare students for college.

Right now L-P students with two or less excused absences and a 70 percent or higher grade can skip out taking a final exam in that class.

Governor Pushing To Raise Illinois Minimum Wage

CHICAGO (AP) – Gov. Pat Quinn wants to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to at least $10 by Christmas of next year.

The minimum wage in Illinois is $8.25. Quinn says raising the wage will help eliminate poverty.

Illinois last raised the minimum wage in 2010. There’s legislation pending in Springfield to increase it, including a call for $15 an hour.

However Republicans and business groups say raising the minimum wage kills jobs. Quinn says that claims are flat wrong.

ComEd Bills Going Up In 2014

CHICAGO (AP) – If you are a ComEd customer, your rates are going up.

The Illinois Commerce Commision says ComEd can collect an additional $340 million. ComEd says the average electricity customer will pay an extra $5.50 per month.

Ameren was also told earlier this month they could increase rates but a spokeswoman says the company doesn’t yet know how much that will cost the average customer.