Former Hennepin woman nominated for Military Spouse of the Year

Members of the military are often recognized for what they do, but often they have dedicated wives and husbands. Theresa Johnson, formerly Theresa Izizarry of Hennepin, is receiving attention for her efforts.

Johnson has been nominated for the 2015 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year Award. Johnson is credited with starting the Fisher House Hero and Remembrance Run at Fort Campbell, Hawaii. She calls the nomination humbling.  She says the nomination helps spread the word about the run.

Johnson was once in the Army Reserves. Her husband and one of her three sons are active in the Army. She’s living at Fort Hood, Texas with her family.

Voting begins Wednesday. You can learn more about Johnson and cast an online vote at the contest website.

Annual Knights of Columbus food drive happening day before Super Bowl

Area Knights of Columbus members are blitzing hunger and not quarterbacks next weekend. K of C members from Utica are gearing up for their annual Hunger Blitz. Members will collect food 8am-4pm Saturday, January 31 at various grocery stores in La Salle and Peru. You’ll be given a list of food as you enter the stores and just drop the goods off when you leave with K of C members. Both food and monetary donations will go to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

Wrecking ball coming soon to abandoned building in downtown Oglesby

A downtown eyesore in Oglesby should be gone in a couple weeks.

According to the NewsTribune, the Oglesby City Council approved a $41,000 bid from C&H Excavating out of Earlville to tear down a rundown building in the 200 block of East Walnut Street west of the Shields Funeral Chapel.

Tearing down the building has long been a priority of the council. Commissioner Tom Porter is against the demolition though because he doesn’t like using taxpayer dollars to tear down private property.

Mendota opens door to hauling sand in and out of the city

Just in case a company wants to open a sand loading facility in Mendota, the city is now ready to accommodate them.

According to the NewsTribune, the Mendota City Council has approved new uses for their manufacturing zones after being recommended to by the planning commission. The city’s manufacturing areas now allow truck and rail transport for sand and other aggregate materials. The change doesn’t allow actual sand mining.

City officials have said while they’ve changed zoning for transporting, no sand company has approached them yet for development.

Illinois Valley leaders to discuss future of their cities and villages

While the State of the Union is Tuesday night, the “State of the Cities” happens Wednesday at Grade Bear Resort in Utica.

The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “State of the Cities” luncheon from 11:30 until 1:30. Peru Mayor Scott Harl, Spring Valley Mayor Walt Marini, Utica Village President Gloria Alvarado and Hennepin Village President Kevin Coleman are all committed to be there. Oglesby Mayor Don Finley isn’t sure he can make it.

The cost of the luncheon is 25 dollars which includes lunch and drinks. You can reserve a spot by calling IVAC or signing up on their website.