Students protestors plan new approach

 Some students at Ottawa Township High School concluded today the equilvalent of a typical work week. It started with a “sit in” and ended with a decision to stop their protests across from the school.

According to the OHS Building Trades Facebook page, it’s not an end….rather the next step. The Facebook page says the students have decided to stop their protests and get an audience with the Board to explain their viewpoint. The young people say they will resolve discipline issues over break and return to school next Monday. They say they want to continue being educated.

The furor erupted after the Ottawa Township High School board voted to end the “Building Trades” program. Dave Keely, the head of the program, would be out of work at the end of the school year.

　

Retired government leader dies

 How did you know Al Piecha? 

Piecha contributed greatly to the area serving 18 years on the Oglesby City Council and 14 on the LaSalle County Board.   Don Shields of Shields Funeral Chapel confirmed Piecha died at 1:27am Saturday in his home.  Piecha had been battling cancer.  He was 84.

The Oglesby man was a past Vice Chairman of the LaSalle County Board and a founding member of the LaSalle Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group.  This Vets organization laid out holiday wreaths at the tombs of veterans.  Piecha was also a past commander of the Oglesby American Legion,  an AARP legislative chairman and  a member of the County Development Committee. 

He is survived by his wife, Darlene and 2 sons and 2 daughters.  Visitation is tentatively set for Tuesday at Shields Funeral Chapel and a Wednesday funeral mass at Holy Family Church in Oglesby.  Obituary information will be posted at wlpoamandfm.com.

LP ttudent is awarded for donating blood

You don’t donate blood to get something in return but a senior at LP High School has received a big thank you.  Morgan Foster was recognized Friday by the Heartland Blood Centers.  She received the Red Cord Honor, something that is given to graduating high school seniors who have donated blood at least six times.

Foster was given a $200 Heartland Blood Centers Scholarship and a red cord to wear over her gown during graduation.

Heating and AC unit starts fire at a Peru motel

As the saying goes, where there is smoke there is fire.  It was true for the guests and employees of a motel in Peru.  A heating and air conditioning wall unit in a room at the La Quinta Inn shorted and started on fire Friday evening.

Employees heard the alarm sound and saw smoke.  The unit and the wall around it were damaged by flames.  Smoke damaged the first floor of the motel but guests were eventually allowed to return after the fire alarm and sprinkler systems were reset.

Man and woman in Princeton accused of having heroin

Heroin related charges followed a search of a home in Princeton.  Members of TRIDENT arrested Ronald Hotchkiss and Angela Janssen of Princeton Thursday.  Both were charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.  They were also accused of having drug paraphernalia. 

Janssen and Hotchkiss were taken to the Bureau County Jail.