Diverse menu planned for IVAR Ethnic Food Festival

Do sushi, Italian sausage and BBQ wings sound tempting? Those are just a few of the items that will be on the menu Sunday at Rotary Park in La Salle.

Illinois Valley Animal Rescue is trying something new and hosting an Ethnic Food Festival fundraiser. Heidi Milner with IVAR says they want it to become an annual thing.  She says IVAR is raising money by charging the restaurants to be there.  They will also be selling soda and water.

The Ethnic Food Festival is from 11am-3pm Sunday at Peru Rotary Park. You’ll find the park between Pike and Schuyler Streets on Third Street. To buy food, you’ll need to buy tickets at the festival.

You can learn more about it by listening to an interview available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Newest hall of fame class unveiled for IVCC

Big names in broadcasting and politics highlight the newest hall of fame class at Illinois Valley Community College.

Peter Miller Jr. and his son Peter Miller III will be inducted posthumously as will Joe Mikyska. Rounding out the class is State Representative Frank Mautino, Lincoln Frost and the 1976 football team.

While publisher of the NewsTribune in the 60’s and owner of La Salle County Broadcasting, Miller Jr. is credited with backing a campaign to win public support for building the college at its current spot. His son was the head of Miller Group Media and renowned philanthropist in the Illinois Valley. The new technology center is named after the Millers.

Mautino is credited with playing a big role in getting funding for the new technology center. He was also involved in getting money for the truck driving center.

Mikyska taught political science at IVCC for 39 years. He was also an alderman in Peru.

The final individual inducted meanwhile is Lincoln Frost. He taught math at IVCC for 31 years.

Cow dead and Earlville driver hurt after crash

An Earlville woman is hurt and a cow is dead after a collision near Plano.

Deputies say Sherry Meine was on Galena Road Tuesday night when she hit a cow standing in the road. She was taken to Valley West Hospital in Sandwich.

The cow was killed and taken away by its owner.

Freedom House kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month with event

Did you know that every 9 seconds in the U.S., a woman is assaulted or beaten? A group that sees far too many victims of violence is trying to make you aware of the problem.

As part of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Freedom House in Princeton is hosting an event Thursday called “Remember, Celebrate, Connect”. Bureau County State’s Attorney Pat Herrmann along with domestic violence survivors, their families and Freedom House staff and volunteers will remember those lost to domestic violence and celebrate survivors.

Weather permitting, the domestic violence event starts tomorrow at 6:30 at Soldiers and Sailors Park in Princeton. If its raining, it’ll be moved inside to the Nelson Chapel.

President Obama returns to Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) – President Barack Obama is headed home to Chicago.

The White House says the president will arrive in Chicago today and spend the night. President Obama tomorrow will speak at Northwestern University and then attend a campaign event for Democratic Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.

Quinn is in the middle of a tight re-election bid with Republican candidate and businessman Bruce Rauner.

Elite group of young business people announced

What had you as accomplished by the age of 40?  The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Illinois Valley Community College makes a point to celebrate local business leaders who have earned the respect and a nomination from someone in the community.

They call it the 40 Under Forty. This year’s class was recently announced. They included people 39 years old and younger who work in Bureau, La Salle, Marshall, or Putnam counties.