La Salle cuts ties with company hired to fix Waste Water Treatment Plant

Cities bid out projects all the time but they don’t always work out.

The La Salle City Council has terminated its contract with Maxim Construction Company out of Volo, Illinois. City Attorney Jim McPhedran says equipment to work on a dike at the Waste Water Treatment Plant arrived but the work isn’t finished. The city is now taking over the construction project while still using the same sub-contractors like Ficek Electric.

La Salle is using grant money that was given out to towns that had flooding after 2008’s Hurricane Ike.

Oktoberfest returns to Ottawa this weekend

For one weekend out of the year at least, everyone will have a little German in them in Ottawa.

The city’s annual Oktoberfest celebration starts Friday and runs through Sunday in the Jordan Block. Mayor Bob Eschbach will kick things off Friday just before 5 with the ceremonial tapping of the keg. After that there will be three days of live music, a beer garden, and food. Some of the other Oktoberfest attractions are a yodeling contest, barmaid stein races, kid’s games and a big screen to watch the Bears and Packers game Sunday on the Jordan Block.

Presale tickets to Oktoberfest are $15 and include beer tickets. You can get tickets at Ottawa City Hall or on the city website.

Weather helping to speed up fall colors

This is good news for the always popular Fall Colors Weekend at Starved Rock State Park. Fall colors are expected to be vibrant in Illinois this year due to spring and summer weather.

The autumnal equinox happened Monday night, marking the official beginning of fall. A state horticulturist says a drastic weather change last November caused the leaves of many trees to change before the final color stage. Some trees are stressed from last year’s drought, which can trigger early color changes.

Fall Colors Weekend at Starved Rock State Park is October 18th and 19th.

Earlville man still hospitalized after fatal weekend motorcycle crash

A husband is in serious condition after a motorcycle crash that killed his wife.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office says Jeffery Dorsen of Earlville was on a county road Sunday night when he lost control on a curve. His Harley Trike ended up overturning in a ditch, throwing him and his 69-year old wife Paula from the bike.

Paula also of Earlville was pronounced dead at the scene. Jeffery Dorsen was flown to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford where he’s in serious condition.

He faces a DUI charge.

Congressman Kinzinger “pleased” with airstrikes in Syria

So what do you think of the U.S. airstrikes in Syria?

Congressman Adam Kinzinger says he’s “pleased to see the U.S. and a strong coalition of Arab nations begin a robust air campaign against ISIS in Syria”. The congressman says he doesn’t celebrate any kind of military action but believes the strikes are necessary and right.

Kinzinger called for airstrikes against ISIS months ago.

Future uncertain for damaged Ottawa High School swimming pool

Swimming pools are nice, especially if you don’t have to pay for repairing them when something goes wrong.

The pool at Ottawa High School has been closed since the beginning of the new school year and repairs could top a million dollars. There’s problems with the pool liner, walls, and concrete. The Ottawa School Board talked about options with their pool Monday night.

The girls swimming team season is going on right now but they had a home meet canceled last weekend and have been practicing at the Ottawa and Streator Y pools.

Peru police and fire chiefs to get extra pay

Having an engineering degree would put you in high demand.   Peru has been looking since May for someone with an engineering background to be the director of public works and the electric departments.  So far city officials claim the have received only four applications.

Alderman Jim Lukosus explained the situation Monday night.   He says it’s not their long-term plan to leave Police Chief Doug Bernabei and Fire Chief Jeff King in charge of it all, but that King and Bernabei have been doing great jobs.

The city council then agreed to pay Bernabei $15,000 a year and King $12,000 for their extra duties.

Alderman Dave Potthoff was against it. He thinks the city needs to have a person whose job is overseeing public utilities and not in addition to running public safety.

Several of the aldermen that voted for the pay as agree that this shouldn’t be a long-term solution.

CPA hired as Peru finance officer

Rarely do you hear certified public accountant and excited used in the same sentence, but Peru officials are happy to be hiring one of their own.

A CPA, whose name is being with held, starts his new job as Peru Finance Officer next month.  He will take on duties that have traditionally been the city clerk’s.

Gary Hylla says he is extremely excited.  Hylla will remain the city treasurer, an elected seat.

The finance officer will make $62,000 annually plus benefits.

While that position has been filled,  there’s an opening for a bookkeeper due to a retirement.