Long receives the backing of Kinzinger

You would expect a republican congressman to be backing the local republican candidate. Congressman Adam Kinzinger is doing just that. Kinzinger this week formally announced his endorsement of state representative candidate Jerry Long.

Long is challenging Democrat Frank Mautino in the 76th District race.

Daily room rates increasing at the La Salle County Nursing Home

Nursing home care isn’t getting less expensive. The daily rate for the La Salle County Nursing Home in Ottawa is increasing by $5 per day.

The La Salle County Board approved the rate increase Thursday. A private room is going up from $140 to $145.  Last year the rates were increased by $3 a day.  The new rates go into effect December 1, 2014.

Volunteers needed for Challenge Days at LP High School

Children often hear how special and unique they are, but a program at LP High Schools helps them realize what they have in common with other teens.

Challenge Day is three days of exercises that allows sophomores to get to know their classmates and to talk about their problems without being judged.

Principal Deb Nelson says you can participate as an adult volunteer.  You don’t need prior training or experience.  The program facilitators will give all volunteers a brief training before the students arrive and debrief them after the students are gone.

Counselor Sue Marshall says you will be doing the same thing the students are asked to do.

If you are interested in volunteering, people are needed for October 28, 29, and 30. You would be at the school from 7:30am in until about 3pm. Professionals with Challenge Day and faculty will be there.

To sign up, call the high school and ask for Marshall. Learn more about Challenge Day by listening to an interview that’s up at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Deal struck between instructors and IVCC trustees

There will be no teacher’s strike at Illinois Valley Community College.

The IVCC Board of Trustees Thursday night approved a new four-year contract for 83 instructors and counselors. They had been working without a new contract since the start of fall semester.

The contract includes that raises that are expected to cost the school 2.5 percent per year over the length of the deal.

New Ebola hysteria involves scam email

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Scammers are apparently trying to take advantage of fears over Ebola.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says emails claiming to be an “Ebola pandemic update” may include links that could harm your computer. She says another scam email offers a “surplus personal protection kit” for $29 and alleges to provide protection for emergency response and law enforcement personnel.

Madigan is also reminding you to be aware of scams linked to charity efforts because con artists might seek to exploit the Ebola outbreak.

County board approves lease allowing sand company to load barges along Illinois River in Ottawa

After getting approvals to mine sand and to build a place to dry the sand, Northern White Sand got the next piece of the puzzle by getting a place to ship the sand on barges.

After a lengthy closed door session, the La Salle County Board approved a lease that lets the sand company ship tons of silica sand on barges along the Illinois River. The county is leasing out land near the county nursing home that use to be an old Cargill barge facility.

While not saying how much the lease is for, La Salle County Board Chairman Jerry Hicks says the deal will bring thousands of dollars in revenue to the county. Up to now, Cargill was only paying the county 36-hundred dollars a year for the property.

Proposed sand mine north of Interstate 80 not happening yet

A controversial sand mine in Utica is having trouble blasting off.

According to the NewsTribune, the Utica Village Board of Trustees have agreed to extend a special use permit for Aramoni, LLC to open a mine north of Love’s Travel Stop. They now have until February, 2017 to get started on mining sand in Utica.

The trustees originally gave the go ahead to the sand mine in February after nearly 30 hours of public hearings. The company promised to bring 30 full-time jobs.

Burgoo weekend arrives in Utica

The Burgoo Festival is so popular its turned into a two-day event in Utica.

Saturday there’s a Canal Market with over 60 vendors in downtown Utica from 10 until 7. A car show starts at 1 with live entertainment starting at 3.

On Sunday, you can taste the famous Burgoo stew from 9 until 5 near the La Salle County Historical Society Museum. There will also be over 300 vendors lining the streets of Utica with live music and children’s games.

Burgoo is a fundraiser for the La Salle County Historical Society and Museum. This is the 45th year for the festival.