Ambulance director’s pay back up for debate in Oglesby

Two years ago, tempers flared and tears were shed in Oglesby as the city council and ambulance department debated hours and pay. Could it be déjà vu all over again?

According to the NewsTribune, the Oglesby City Council put on file a letter from the ambulance board wanting Ambulance Director Cathie Edens to get a pay raise. They argue she should be allowed to work more hours and get paid more because calls for service are way up.

The ambulance board suggests Edens be paid $56,000 a year. When a new contract was approved two years ago, Edens salary was set at $46,000.

Finance Commissioner Paul Danekas doesn’t seem too sold on the pay raise saying last night “Where do we draw the line?”

Former hospital property may become retail space

While some towns have old box stores sitting empty, Mendota has an empty site that used to house a hospital.

According to the NewsTribune, the Mendota Planning Commission will meet July 24th to consider rezoning the old Mendota Community Hospital site so it could become retail space. To give them a better chance of redeveloping the land, the city is expected to subdivide the property into separate lots.

The old hospital closed in late 2011 and a new one was built on Route 34 along the east edge of town.

Holiday Roadside Safety Check leads to 24 tickets

The roads around the Illinois Valley were a little safer this 4th of July weekend thanks to an Illinois State Police roadside safety check that resulted in 24 arrests or citations and 17 warnings. District 17 officers arrested 2 people for DUI and 5 for other alcohol or drug related charges late Friday into early Saturday during the check at Route 6 and Dalzell Road.

 

Starved Rock clean up continues

While things are getting back to normal at Starved Rock after last week’s storms, several trails remain closed.

The lodge, visitor’s center and it’s parking lot are open, as are trails to the east of the lodge including Ottawa, Kaskaskia and Illinois canyons. All other trails at Starved Rock are still closed while workers clean up downed trees and make other repairs.

Lifeflight called to ethanol plant in Hennepin

When you get a call of a man down at an ethanol plant, you fear the worst.

An independent trucker was flown from the Marquis Energy plant in Hennepin Monday morning after getting hurt next to his truck. Putnam County EMS Director Andrew Jackson says the trucker suffered leg and head injuries when a high pressure hose snapped off and hit him.

Jackson says the man was stable but was still flown to Peoria. The 911 call came in around 9:15pm Monday.

Longtime St. Bede priest and teacher dies

A longtime teacher and principal at St. Bede Academy has died.

Reverend Henry Fritz died Sunday after suffering a severe stroke days before. After graduating from St. Bede, Fritz was ordained a priest in 1952 started teaching civics along with being a guidance counselor at his alma mater. He eventually became the academy’s principal and retired to the abbey in 2012.

Service details can be heard during Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO’s In Memoriam.

Deadly crashes on the rise in La Salle County

2014 has been a deadly year so far on La Salle County roads.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 11 people have died in eight fatal crashes, matching all of last year’s fatalities. The number of deaths is tied for fifth highest of all Illinois counties.

In Bureau County, one person has died on state roads this year. That’s well below last year’s pace when six people were killed.
So far in Putnam County there have been no fatal crashes. Last year two people were killed in one fatal crash in Putnam County.

Statewide, 399 people have been killed in crashes, down almost a hundred from this time last year.

Traveling cancer memorial comes to Ottawa and Streator

If you see a pink fire truck in Ottawa and Streator Tuesday, you’re not imagining things.

The truck is part of a nationwide cancer awareness event called the “Pink Heals Tour”. The idea started in Phoenix in 2007 to support women battling all types of cancer.

Those fighting cancer, those who have beaten it or who have lost someone to cancer sign the truck. It’s on display Tuesday from 9 until noon at the Ottawa Fire Department and then from 1 until 4 at the Streator Fire Department.

Future of small town post offices up for debate

More could be known in the coming days on the future of small town post offices in the Illinois Valley.

The United States Postal Service put out a list in 2012 of small post offices that were targeted for decreased office hours or even closure. Surveys have been sent to people living in the small towns to see if they’re okay with limited office hours or going to a bigger post office in another town.

A meeting is this Thursday at noon inside the Seatonville Post Office. There are several meetings next Thursday afternoon at post offices in Bureau, DePue, Hennepin and Mark.

Contraception controversy coming to Illinois ballots

CHICAGO (AP) – Does the Hobby Lobby court case have you fired up?

Governor Pat Quinn has signed a November ballot question that asks if you think prescription drug coverage plans should be required to include birth control. Illinois already requires insurance providers that cover prescription drugs to also cover FDA-approved contraceptive drugs for women.

Republicans argue it’s a gimmick intended to boost Democratic voter turnout.