LPHS ready to break ground for Transition House

The basic skills that help you run a household are also important in holding a job and living independently. Adults ages 18 through 21 that have cognitive disabilities will be able to sharpen their social and practical skills with a new building planned for LP High School. Only the new building, will look more like a ranch-style house than a school.

It’s called the Transition House and will be used by young adults in the Transition Program. Superintendent Steve Wrobleski says inside the home you’ll find a lot of things that are in your house such as a full kitchen, living room and washer and dryer.

A groundbreaking is planned for later this month or early October. The foundation will be poured before winter.  Students from the Area Career Center will be working along side professionals to complete much of the interior work.

You can work on it too. Since last November, the school has been taking donations. Donations can include money, items for the house or services. The building is estimated to cost at least $120,000.

Wrobleski says they want to have it ready to use next spring. Learn more by listening to an interview that’s up at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Quinn has edge in Tribune poll

Results of a recent Chicago Tribune poll give Governor Pat Quinn an 11 percent edge over Republican challenger Bruce Rauner.  Sunday’s Tribune says the poll seems to indicate continued voter dissatisfaction with Quinn and yet a willingness to give him another four years.

Numbers show voters think Rauner can do better handling the state’s financial woes,  but acknowledge Quinn’s success  painting the wealthy Republican equity investor as “out of touch”.  The poll – concluded on Friday –  gives Quinn a 48 – 37 lead.   Libertarian Chad Grimm has 5 percent – something,  the Tribune says might have gone to Rauner if the Republicans had been able to remove THAT party from the ballot.  The poll has a 3.5 percent error margin.

Oglesby school hosts safety fair

What does IVCH, the state police and the Army Corp of Engineers have in common? They’re all participating Monday in a health/safety fair at Oglesby Lincoln School starting at 6:30pm. About 28 participants including the IVCC nursing program, a dietitian, chiropractors, county health department, U of I extension and others will have information available. Most agencies will have a representative present.

Oglesby Council in session Tuesday

The Oglesby City Council will be in executive session Tuesday to discuss an employees matter and a wage issue. The docket says an ordinance will be placed on file modifying the wage structure for the Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief. The council will also examine an ordinance granting a special use permit to GTI for a cannabis cultivation facility.

During the meeting, the council will examine an ambulance bid from Foster Coach. The council meets at 7pm at 110 East Walnut.

Another UK hostage threatened by ISIS

British officials have named a second U.K. hostage being held by the Islamic State group.

Alan Henning is being threatened with death in the latest Islamic State video, which announced the beheading of another British hostage, David Haines. In the video, Henning is shown briefly on camera and also threatened with death. British officials and Henning’s family had asked the media not to publish his name out of concern for his safety, but that request was dropped Sunday afternoon. The family has also released a photo of the hostage.

Wash day at LP High School

Sunday might be a “laid back” day for you….but, it’s wash day at LP High School. Superintendent Steven Wrobleski says its director of Buildings and Grounds, Rich Kowalczk – and his staff – washed down locker rooms, restrooms and other athletic areas Saturday with a hydrogen peroxide solution.

The workers will be washing any PE or athletic clothes and equipment Sunday that were left behind. A problem with rashes among a few students was announced Thursday. 1 student has a staph infection, but the strain is unknown, so, it may not be MRSA. If you have a student or athlete, you’re asked to wash their PE,  sports clothes or athletic equipment before they return to school.

New CVS store opens in Peru

The 2nd largest pharmacy in the U.S. now has a new store in Peru across from No. 1 pharmacy, Walgreens. The CVS Pharmacy opened Sunday and was built in the former Jewel store parking lot.

The old CVS store is now closed. CVS has 7600-hundred stores in the country, according to Wikipedia. It started in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1963.

Homestead Festival closes today

A pancake breakfast, a Jazz worship service at St. Matthews, a Kids tractor pull and a BBQ cookoff are what you’ll find  Sunday at the Homestead Festival in Princeton. There are other things, of course,  like tours of the Owen Lovejoy home, actor Richard Widmark Biography/ Exhibit,  a dog festival, car show, crafts show, flea market and windows display. This is the 43rd annual Homestead Festival.  The festival concludes Sunday.

President reacts to new beheading

President Barack Obama is condemning the “barbaric murder” of British aid worker David Haines by Islamic State terrorists. Haines was abducted last year in Syria, and extremists released a video Saturday showing his beheading.

British Prime Minister David Cameron says the beheading of British aid worker David Haines is “an act of pure evil.” Cameron had meetings Sunday with military and security chiefs.