Man injured after apparently jumping from Route 351 bridge

People fishing and enjoying the sights of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in La Salle were unexpectedly joined by police officers and paramedics.

Someone called 911 after a man appeared to have jumped from the Route 351 bridge over the canal. It happened around 4pm Thursday.

The man landed on the ground between the water and the tow path. He was moving around but bleeding when paramedics arrived.

You’ll hear more information as it’s made available.

Woman taken to an area hospital following Rt 6 crash

A crash that stopped traffic on Route 6 east of Utica sent a woman to the hospital. State Police say that Mary MacGuire of Ottawa was heading east near the Osage curves Thursday afternoon when she crossed the center-line and crashed with an oncoming semi.

MacGuire was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Her condition was not available. Duane Vance of El Paso was driving the semi. He wasn’t hurt.

Troopers ticketed MacGuire for improper lane usage.

Waiting on trains in Utica could soon happen a lot less

Have you been stuck waiting for a train in Utica lately? A solution to this problem may be on its way.

According to the NewsTribune, CSX Railroad and Unimin Corporation of Utica have reached a deal to build a new rail yard that should ease congestion on Route 178. The idea is to build about 10,000 feet of new track at the east end of the Unimin plant. This would give the sand company and railroad the ability to switch cars without causing major traffic backups that had the mayor and Utica trustees complaining.

Unimin’s plant manager says the new track won’t cost the village any money. They’re hoping to start the rail yard project in August.

Downtown Ottawa expected to be packed for annual car show

Hundreds of classic cars and trucks are expected to fill downtown Ottawa Friday night.

It’s time for the 16th Annual Cruise Night organized by La Salle County Cruisers and the city of Ottawa. Dash plaques will be given to the first 300 entrants. Trophies will also be handed out. Judges include Ottawa Mayor Bob Eschbach and Police Chief Brett Roalson.

While there’s no cost to check out the cars and trucks, its ten dollars to show off your car or truck in the show. Ottawa Cruise Night runs from 6 until 10.

Who’ll provide athletic trainers at L-P has the school board split

If you can get two quality services for the price of one would you take it? In the case of athletic trainer services at L-P, the two-for-one bargain is actually free.

By a 4 to 3 vote, the L-P School Board decided to use both Illinois Valley Community Hospital and City Center Rehab to provide athletic trainer services starting in August. Votes to hire one company over the other failed. Superintendent Steve Wrobleski says they’ll now have to meet with both companies to work out logistics of a shared contract. He sees it as a chance for L-P athletes to get twice the service.

A three-year contract with City Center ends next month. In 2011, the L-P board picked City Center at $8,000 a year over IVCH who offered their services for free.

Plans moving forward to close elementary school in Peru

Even though dirt hasn’t been moved yet, a major addition planned at Northview Elementary School in Peru is still on schedule to open next year.

A groundbreaking is expected this August on the 40,000 square foot addition that will bring Pre-K through 4th grade all over to Northview and close Washington School. The district received an $11 million state construction grant and instead of pumping money into the aging Washington School, they decided to put all the construction money into adding onto Northview.

The expanded Northview will include a new entrance off Shooting Park Road, more parking and a new gym.