Spelich announce bid for La Salle County Treasurer

You’ll be voting for a new La Salle County Treasurer in November.  A licensed financial advisor from Peru says he’s running to replace the retiring Don Lamps in November.  James Spelich announced his candidacy Thursday.

He says he feels privileged to have Lamps’s full support in the election.  Lamps has been treasurer since 2002.  His term ends in November.  Both are Republicans.

Spelich grew up in Peru and worked at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange before moving back to Peru.  He’s currently the branch manager and financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services in Peru.

Democrats will have a primary battle for treasurer.  Edward McConville of Peru is running against Jared Hicks of Marseilles.

Traffic moving again after crash on Route 251

Strong winds are leaving roads snow covered, including Route 251.  The road north of the Oglesby turn off was closed for almost an hour after a crash. 

It happened just before 3pm Friday.  At least one person was hurt.  The La Salle County Sheriff’s Department is investigating.  Oglesby Fire and Ambulance assisted. 

Blowing and drifting snow causing problems in the Illinois Valley

It hasn’t snowed in a couple of days but plows are staying busy thanks to strong winds.  The Illinois Valley is included in a Winter Weather Advisory until 9am Saturday.

The National Weather Service says the blowing and drifting will create blizzard like conditions.  Wind gusts overnight could be as high as 35 miles per hour.  Rural roads are especially affected by the drifting snow.

Former L-P Coach Gets Trial Date On Child Porn Charges

A former L-P head wrestling coach has been arraigned on child porn charges.

30-year old Matt Fletcher of Peru was in court yesterday on charges of child pornography and solicitation of sexual abuse.  His trial is set to start March 31^st.  Fletcher is represented by Ottawa lawyer Ed Kuleck.

He was arrested late last month a few days after resigning as varsity wrestling coach and a paid greeter at L-P.  He’s currently out on bond.

“Final Offers” Made In Mendota Elementary Negotiations

Classes resume Monday at Mendota Elementary Schools but for how long.

The teacher’s union has declared an impasse in negotiations with the school board.  The two sides have turned in final offers to the state labor relations board which can pave the way for a teacher’s strike.

Health insurance is the major sticking point with teachers wanting to pay a flat $58 a month towards premiums for single coverage and $108 a month towards the premium for family coverage for all three years of a new contract.  The school board wants single coverage teachers to pay 10% of the premium for single coverage and 15% towards the premium for family coverage in year one with a 5% increase the next two years.  Under the school board’s proposal, teachers will start paying for about 14% of the districts insurance premium cost compared to 5% last year.

The two sides are seeing eye to eye on salaries, agreeing to 2% base salary increases in the first and second year of a three-year contract and a 1% pay raise the final contract year.

One unusual disagreement between the sides is that the board would like a policy where teachers “dress in an appropriate and professional manner for the duties which they’re assigned”.  The teacher’s union according to the board negotiating team opposes any language regarding teacher dress.