New IVCC bus route includes stops in Tonica and Lostant

If you’ve been following the story about Illinois Valley Community College having a direct bus route for students in Streator, that bus can also pick up students in Tonica and Lostant.

The North Central Area Transit bus will leave from the St. Mary’s Cancer Treatment Center parking lot on weekdays at 7 and make stops at Illini State Bank in Lostant and Casey’s in Tonica before arriving at the IVCC campus in Oglesby.

The two return bus trips to Streator will also stop in Tonica and Lostant. Buses taking students back after a day of classes leave out from IVCC at noon and 3:30.

The cost is $4 each way or you can get a ten-pack of tickets for $30 at Streator City Hall or the main entrance of IVCC.

Fire guts a home on Ottawa’s south side

A second pet has died after a fire on Ottawa’s south side.

The fire broke out around 9pm Tuesday at 501 Arch Street. While the family wasn’t home, a cat died in the fire. A dog was taken to a vet where it later died.

The fire started in the home’s living room. Firefighters think the cause is electrical.

Incumbents will be at top of Ottawa High election ballot

Do you think being listed first on a ballot is an advantage? If yes, it bodes well for two Ottawa High School board members fighting for re-election amidst controversy over building trades and the firing of a teacher.

After a lottery for ballot positioning, incumbents Bill Byczynski and Karen Fisher will be the first two listed among seven candidates on the April ballot. David Keely will be listed last.

Keely, John Levy, George Hupp, Andree Koban, and Richard Gama are all vying for one of the three open seats. Current board member Anita Kopko is not seeking another term due to health issues.

After close call, Frank Mautino begins new term in Springfield

After his toughest election battle yet, State Representative Frank Mautino officially began another term in Springfield Wednesday.

The swearing in of the 99th General Assembly took place over the noon hour. Mautino is representing the 76th District after holding off Republican challenger Jerry Long. Mautino’s been in the House of Representatives since 2001.

Starting his first full term in the House is Republican John Anthony. He beat Democratic challenger Martha Shugart to keep his 75th District seat that covers Seneca and parts of southeast La Salle County.

IVCH’s OB unit gets state recognition for pushing against early deliveries

One of the few hospitals that still delivers babies in the Illinois Valley has received state recognition.

The Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative is applauding Illinois Valley Community Hospitals OB unit of having an early elective delivery rate of less than 5%. Many mothers are induced or have C-sections before they are due without a medically necessary reason.

Health advocates say these options are more costly and risky.

Marijuana cultivation center applicants left in limbo with new governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Gov. Bruce Rauner says he wants to better understand how the state’s medical marijuana program is being run.

Rauner’s comment came a day after Pat Quinn left office without awarding licenses to medical marijuana cultivation centers. There are over a dozen cultivation center applicants in the Illinois Valley who are awaiting a license announcement.

Pat Quinn promised to issue the licenses by the end of last year. But he said last week that state agencies would only decide after taking “as much time as necessary.”

The handoff to Rauner could lead to further delays. The Republican has criticized the existing selection process as secretive and subject to cronyism.