Spelling Bee winners are local

It was LaSalle County Spelling Bee time Saturday in Ottawa High School. And, has it has in the past, it resulted in some unusual results. The News Tribune reports first, second and third place winners all came from Peru, Oglesby and LaSalle. After 9 rounds, Mary Kate Jagiella of Peru Catholic placed first. The 2nd place winner was Tanner Rogel of Oglesby Washington Jr. High. Max Williams of Lincoln Junior High in LaSalle claimed third place. Jagiella advances to the Grand Finals in Peoria in March.

Local company offers internship and scholarship

If you know a student with an interest in science, let them know about a scholarship and internship available through Carus Corporation.

Carus is offering $10,000 plus a paid internship opportunity in its La Salle research lab to a college student who offers an innovative idea for using chemistry to solve an environmental problem.  The deadline to apply is March 22. Students can find more information by visiting Carus Corporation’s website.

Peru Police Department uses Facebook to help with investigations

You can “like” and “friend” thousands of people and businesses on Facebook. Depending on where you live, you can also “like” your police department.

The Peru Police Department was able to identify several people after posting stills from surveillance video on their Facebook page Friday.  One post featured two women near a department store jewelry counter. Two other posts featured a man and a woman walking into what appeared to be Master Stir Fry.

Police Chief Doug Bernabei says it only took a few minutes for people to begin contacting the police department with the names of the people featured. Police haven’t said yet if they have made any arrests.

Why no state vegetable? Question spurs Illinois class to act

CHATHAM, Ill. (AP) – A class of fourth-graders in central Illinois was learning about state symbols when students stumbled upon a puzzling question: Why does Illinois have a state fruit but no state vegetable?

The students at Chatham Elementary School, south of Springfield, could not abide the oversight.

The 9-year-olds turned to technology. They had a video chat with eighth-graders at Taylorville Junior High who taught them how a bill becomes a law. Then they used online surveys to poll students about which vegetable should be accorded the honor.

They got a state senator, Plainview Republican Sam McCann, to introduce a bill this month to designate sweet corn Illinois’ vegetable of choice.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register says the students aren’t leaving anything to chance. They’re drafting letters urging lawmakers to pass the bill.

Food and drinks part of annual Ladd Fire Department Fundraiser

There’s a party in Ladd Saturday night. The 15^th Annual Ladd Fire Department Smoker begins at 6pm at the fire department.

The evening includes a chicken and spaghetti dinner, soda and beer. There will also be games and prizes. Admission is $12.  It’s a fundraiser for the fire department.