Fire leaves buildings with smoke damage

If you smelled smoke in downtown La Salle, it was from a fire that started in a building in the 700 block of First Street.

Someone called for help after noticing smoke coming from the building east of Kelly Cawley Boutique minutes before 3pm Friday.

La Salle Fire Chief Andy Bacidore says the fire was on the ground floor, an empty office but there was smoke damage to a couple of apartments upstairs and the neighboring buildings.

No one was in the building when it started.  Bacidore says he’s still working on a cause but it doesn’t look suspicious.

Ottawa house fire under investigation

A fire that damaged an empty house in Ottawa, was electrical in nature.  Firefighters were called to the house on Mason Street last Thursday night.  They found the back porch of the foreclosed property burning.

Fire Chief Jeff Newbury says the house was left with smoke and fire damage.  A nearby house also had heat damage.  The cause is undetermined.

Health department suggests clients with children reschedule appointments

It’s cold and blustery today but Monday and Tuesday could be colder with wind chills nearing 20 below.  Weather that cold is dangerous especially for babies and children that loose their body heat more quickly than adults. 

The La Salle County Health Department is encouraging anyone with appointments for WIC, immunizations and in-person counselor sessions scheduled for Monday or Tuesday to have their appointment rescheduled.  You can do that by calling the health department office in Ottawa at 433-3366.

Illinois Valley Bridal show returns with new location

If you have a daughter that’s planning a wedding, put the 34th Annual Illinois Valley Bridal Show on your weekend schedule.  You’ll be able to get dress ideas from the style show and meet with photographers, bakers, and others who handle wedding services.  It’s being held Sunday in the new Peter Miller Community Technology Center at Illinois Valley Community College.  Doors for the bridal show open at 11am Sunday.

Cold and snowy weather leads to weather advisories of the Illinois Valley

Gusty winds combined with cold temperatures and snow makes for dangerous conditions.  Keep that in mind as you head out Friday.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory through Saturday morning.  Though only one to two inches of snow is forecast for Friday night, it could make the roads dangerous.

GOP governor candidates debate economic issues

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) – How to run the state of Illinois more like a business is among the topics at a Republican gubernatorial debate in Peoria.

It’s the second time in as many weeks that all four candidates have shared a stage.

State Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale says he’d use his experience working as Gov. Jim Edgar’s chief of staff if he is elected.

Winnetka businessman Bruce Rauner says he’d bring business discipline to the governor’s office. He says government workers should be given incentives and merit pay.

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford of Chenoa wants an annual performance review for the governor.

State Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington says he would look for efficiencies while being “growth orientated.”