Forest preserve under consideration in Ottawa

Ottawa’s city limits may soon increase to the northeast by over 250 acres. It’s not for a new business or subdivision but for a forest preserve.

A hearing will be held at the June 3 Ottawa City Council meeting to talk about an annexation agreement with The Conservation Foundation to include the Dayton Bluffs Preserve inside Ottawa’s city limits. The city would pay the foundation a dollar a year to lease the land while conservationists would maintain it.

The preserve is along the east side of the Fox River and runs north to Interstate 80.

Sandwich man arrested for cocaine

Heroin isn’t the only street drug being abused in La Salle County. Police say they found cocaine at a home in Sandwich. Members of TRIDENT Wednesday arrested Michael Shepherd after allegedly finding cocaine during a traffic stop. Police say they found more cocaine while searching Shepherd’s house.

Shepherd was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and was given tickets for driving with a suspended license and having his music too loud. He was taken to the La Salle County Jail. He was already out on bond for mob action charge in Dekalb County.

Lower electric brings Unytite to La Salle

Tractors are clearing a path through a green field just south of Interstate 80 in La Salle. By the end of the year you’ll see a new 100,000 square foot building. Unytite, a company that’s been in Peru for 25 years, is expanding to La Salle.  Ground breaking ceremony was Wednesday morning.

OJ Ozeki is Unytite’s Executive Vice President says they chose the area in La Salle because they could get a lower electrical rate from Amern rather than from Peru.  Unytite was one of several companies that complained about a change in Peru’s industrial electrical rate last year.

The lot in La Salle is also in the new Community TIF District and already has road access and water and sewer.

Ozeki says the first building is part of three phases. It will be used for building industrial nuts and bolts.

Asian carp target of fishing tournament in Utica

How well can you hit a moving target? Asian Carp, an invasive species common in the Illinois River, move fast and occasionally jump above the surface. That will be your target during the annual State Bowfishing Championships.

The fishing championship will be July 19 and 20 on the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park. It includes daytime and nighttime competitions. It’s 30 dollars a person to enter. There’s a minimum $1,000 payout.

Learn more about the championship by listening to an interview that’s available at the WLPO AM and FM dot com news page.

Second phase of La Salle park out for bid

One day you will be watching a senior league baseball game at La Salle Rotary Park.

The second phase of the park includes a ball diamond, parking, lighting, and walking paths.  Engineers with HMG Group Tuesday night explained the costs to the city council.  The base bid is about $750,000.  Extras like more drainage, more lights, and batting cages would add $150,000 to.the price.

A state grant is paying up to $400,000 with the city responsible for a match.  Mayor Jeff Grove says the Rotary Park Foundation is raising money for the match.

City officials will have a better idea of the cost after the bids are opened May 27.