Former teacher amoung the candidates for Ottawa High School Board

A past teachers’ strike and the more recent decision to end the building and trades program have upset a lot of people in the Ottawa High School District.

Half of the school board is up for re-election next April and those members have just as many challengers. Most notably is former building trades teacher David Keely.

Board members Bill Byczynski and Karen Fisher are running for another term. They are joined in the race by Keely, John Levy, Andree-Marie Koban, Richard Gamma, and former school board president, George Hupp. Board member Anita Kopko isn’t running for another term.

Voters in the LP High School District won’t have so many choices. The only people running for the LP School Board are board members Cathy Renk, Peter Meier, and Tony Sparks.

Massachusetts man arrested after traffic stop in La Salle County

A man from Massachusetts probably wasn’t planning to visit Ottawa, Illinois but he’s there now. William Baldelli of Sunberry, Massachusetts was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver after a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near La Salle Monday night.

Baldelli was taken to the La Salle County Jail where he was awaiting a bond hearing.

Ottawa mayor unopposed in April but seven are interested in the city council

It would seem the people of Ottawa are happy with their mayor but maybe not their city council.

Mayor Bob Eschbach is running for his fifth term and he’ll be unopposed in the April 7 election.

Four city council seats will be up for grabs. Commissioners Jim Less, Wayne Eichelkraut and Dan Aussem are running for re-election. They’ll be joined in the race by Tom Gainiere, Bob Rick, Steve Wiggins, Brett Barron.

Commissioner Dale Baxter is not running for another term.

Moneday was the last day to turn in petitions to the city clerk.

City offices to close for the holidays

Do you have business at the Peru City Clerk’s Office? You better do it Tuesday or wait until Friday. The office will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas.

There will be no garbage pick-up Thursday. Garbage pickup will be one day late the rest of the week.

In La Salle, there won’t be garbage pickup on Thursday. Thursday’s route will be picked up Friday.

Horizon House reaches fundraising goal prior to Christmas

Have you driven by the “Tree of Hope” recently? The large Christmas tree outside of the Horizon House in Peru is completely lit, that means they’ve reached their $40,000 fundraising goal.

Carol Fesco of Horizon House was thrilled to have the tree lit by Christmas. She says the money will be used to pay for transportation for their clients.

A bulb was lit for every $50 they received. You can still donate. Horizon House is just north of Shooting Park Road.

Many show interest in Utica village president and board

In Utica, there will be races for village president and village board.

Richard Maltas, Bill Ciccone, Mike Brown, Jim Schrader, Kevin ‘Chops’ Stewart, and Matthew Jereb are running for village president, a position held by Gloria Alvarado. It’s only a two-year term.

Three four-year village board seats are up for grabs. R.P. Pawlak, David Stewart, Shawn Zavsza, and John Schweickert are seeking those seats.
One two-year trustee seat is being sought by John Pappas and Robert Smith.

All but one Peru council seat being challenged in April

Another election season has arrived and you may recognize some of the candidates. Tuesday was the final day to turn in a petition for the April 7 election.

In Peru First Ward Alderwoman Becky Mueller will run for her first four-year term without opposition.

Her fellow aldermen aren’t so lucky. In ward two, Alderman Rodney Perez will face Tom Payton.

Third Ward Alderman Dave Waldorf is being challenged by Travis Nelson.

In the fourth ward, Alderman Dave Potthoff, the longest serving alderman on the council, faces competition from former Illinois gubernatorial write-in candidate Chico Perez.