Union members not happy with Peru Mall

The union rat has turned its attention to the Peru Mall.

Laborers Local 393 in Marseilles are calling for a boycott of the mall claiming that recent construction done at Cherry Berry and Marshalls wasn’t done by local contractors or employees. The labor group believes its unfair for the mall to want locals to shop there yet not use local workers.

The large union rat along with a handful of union members have staked out spots outside the mall.

Easter Seals Telethon surpasses fundraising goal

From all indications, the 34th Annual Easter Seals of La Salle and Bureau Counties Telethon was a huge success.

Organizers say preliminary numbers show they surpassed the telethon goal of raising $50,000. The final tote board Friday night which includes all donations in the past year read just under $145,000.

Easter Seals of La Salle and Bureau Counties helps around 500 children with disabilities. They offer things like speech therapy, physical therapy, and developmental screenings.

Large grant to help wetlands initiative in Putnam County

A Putnam County wetlands project is getting a $50,000 grant to help restore habitat for waterfowl and marsh birds.

The Wetlands Initiative applied for the grant for the Oak Ridge Wetland Restoration at Hennepin and Hopper lakes. Its project involves restoring 70 acres of wetlands and surrounding savanna and prairie within the Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge.

Crews will re-establish native wetlands plants to increase nesting and foraging habitat.