Starved Rock offering guided hikes this winter

While you won’t see frozen waterfalls or snow-covered canyons, you could see majestic bald eagles by taking a hike at Starved Rock State Park.

Every Saturday and Sunday through March, guided winter hikes will leave out from Starved Rock Lodge at 11 in the morning. The hike will be over four miles round trip and will end up back at the lodge at around 2 in the afternoon.

Remember to bring a camera, binoculars and hats and gloves. Tickets are $12 a person.

Santa Claus is coming to Utica

It’s time for another parade in Utica. This one centers on Santa Claus.

The village of Utica and Utica Fire Protection District are sponsoring a Christmas parade that starts at six Saturday night. The parade starts in the Burgess Subdivision.

Santa will arrive at the community building at 7 where he will be open for visits with children.

House catches fire in Leland

Nobody was hurt during a house fire in Leland.

Fire departments from Leland and Somonauk responded to a structure fire just after 11 Friday morning on Route 23. Firefighters think the cause is electrical.

The fire started in an upstairs bedroom.

Governor signs law that raises pay for Jury Duty

Maybe this will make you cringe less at the thought of Jury Duty.

Governor Pat Quinn has signed a law giving jurors a pay raise. The bill requires counties to pay jurors $25 for the first day of service and $50 for each additional day. Some counties now pay jurors just $4 a day.

State Representative Frank Mautino voted in favor of the pay raise while Senator Sue Rezin voted against it. The pay increase takes effect in June.