IVCC staff fundraiser raises money for GED testing

The cost of getting a GED increased by $70 this year, an amount that’s a hardship for some people hoping to move forward with their education.

Staff members at Illinois Valley Community College noticed this challenge and used their annual support staff service project to raise approximately $1,300 to help 11 students afford the test. GED testing costs $120.

Area firefighters raise money for St. Balderick’s

Sunday is predicted to be sunny with a high in the low 60’s- good weather for someone with a shaved head. Several teams have signed up to participate in a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser Sunday at Senica’s Oak Ridge in La Salle. The Utica Fire Protection District is the host team and several other area fire departments are participating.

The top teams so far are Peru Fire, Carus Purple Power and the Utica Fire Protection District. This year’s fundraising goal is $20,000. If you want to help their cause but keep your hair, they’ll accept donations. They will also have raffles and a 50/50. The event is from 12pm-3pm Sunday.

La Salle County in bottom half of state health rankings

Congratulations Bureau County, you are the healthiest county in the Illinois Valley according to the latest healthiest county in Illinois rankings.

Bureau County is considered the 34th healthiest county in the state out of 102 total counties. Putnam County is right in the middle of the rankings at 51 while La Salle County is ranked the 67th healthiest county in Illinois.

The rankings take a look at things like obesity, smoking and excessive drinking rates along with premature deaths, number of people uninsured and violent crime. Bureau County’s adult obesity rate is 31% compared to 29% for both La Salle and Putnam County.

When it comes to uninsured kids, the percentage in the three counties is 12 to 13%. La Salle County has the highest children in poverty rate at 21%.

Area Jobless Rates Still High

Know anyone looking for a job? County unemployment rates continue to be high in the Illinois Valley.

La Salle County’s February jobless rate was 12.4%, down about a half of percent from this time last year but about the same as last month. In Bureau County, the latest jobless rate is 10.9%, about a half percent lower than last year and over a percentage point lower than last month.

Putnam County’s unemployment rate isn’t changing much. February’s jobless figure was 12.5%, down slightly from a year ago but up a few ticks from last month.

Kinzinger pushes for sanctions against Russia

Your congressman has signed on for sanctions against Russia after their actions in the Ukraine.

Adam Kinzinger was among those voting to pass the Ukraine Support Act which gives the president the power to freeze assets of Russia and to implement visa bans on Russian officials who were behind annexing Crimea. Kinzinger also supports giving aide to Ukraine in way of loans.

The Republican congressman says “It’s long past time that Congress took a stance against Russia’s unacceptable actions”.