Deadline to register to vote is quickly approaching

If you want to vote in next month’s election, make sure you’re registered.

Tuesday is the last day to register to vote in the April 7th election. Tuesday is also the last day to tell your county clerk about a change of address.

Absentee voting in person or by mail is already underway for next month’s election which will include city council and school board races.

Boob-a-Palooza continues fight against “the dread”

Thousands of dollars were raised once again at Boob-a-Palooza.

Organizer Betty Pape Glynn says they raised over $56,000 during the 6th annual event on Saturday. Money raised from Boob-a-Palooza goes to Cops 4 Cancer which helps people fighting cancer pay for things like utilities and groceries.

Glynn says a CD recorded by local artists for Boob-a-Palooza is still on sale at Hy-Vee and Audio Out in Peru and Rudy’s Liquors in La Salle. Funds from the CD sales will also go towards Cops 4 Cancer.

Fundraising underway to celebrate Ladd’s 125th birthday

There are a lot of ways to celebrate a village’s 125th anniversary, one could be a monopoly game based on that village.

As part of raising money for a four-day party this summer, you can get your very own “Laddopoly” board game. Instead of Boardwalk and Park Place, you’ll find properties like Rip’s Chicken, Lanuti’s and Torri’s Ice Cream Parlor.
“Laddopoly” is $35 and you buy one at Ladd Village Clerk’s office, Special Effect Beauty Salon and North Central Bank.

Ladd’s 125th anniversary celebration is July 9th thru the 12th.

Lawmaker proposes to legalize Sunday car sales

The prohibition on Sunday automobile sales in Illinois would be lifted under legislation in the General Assembly. Republican state Senator Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove has sponsored legislation to lift the 32-year-old ban.

Al Johnson is general manager of Wheels of Chicago. He says car dealers lose business without Sundays. He says families are busy during the week with shopping, child care and household chores.  Oberweis says the government shouldn’t tell any business what day it can’t operate. He also proposes giving dealers the choice to close on Sunday or any other day because of religious worship.

But Colin Wickstrom of Barrington’s Wickstrom Auto Group says there is low Sunday demand. And lenders are generally not available for financing.

FOID paper applications ending

The Illinois State Police is phasing out paper applications for firearm owner identification cards. The agency says Monday is the last day to submit paper applications. Only online applications will be accepted beginning March 16.
Officials say the change streamlines and modernizes the application process, bringing it in line with its concealed-carry permit process. People who don’t have computers still will be able to use the alternative call-center method.
The agency also is eliminating the requirement for FOID and concealed-carry applicants to get a digital identification. All new and returning concealed-carry applicants must register with the state police by providing information from their driver’s license or state ID card, creating a username and password and answering security questions.
Federally licensed firearms dealers can conduct background checks through the site.

Boil order for Streator and Kangley area lifted

If you’re a customer of “Illinois American Water” in the Streator and Kangley areas,  you can stop boiling your water.  Karen Cotton has notified “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” news that the boil order has been lifted.  Bottled water will no longer be available at the Streator Fire Department.

Lawmaker wants tougher law for distracted driving

A suburban Chicago lawmaker says drivers who cause fatal crashes while illegally using cellphones should face a penalty similar to that given to drunk drivers who kill.  The Arlington Heights Daily Herald reports that Representative Robert Marwick wants aggravated use of an electronic device to put an offender in prison for about 20 months as opposed to a minimal amount of jail time.
The Norridge Democrat says such distracted driving would then be a Class 2 felony rather than a Class 4.
The former prosecutor says it would send the message that distracted driving is as dangerous as driving under the influence. He says DUI prosecutions dropped after penalties were stiffened.

“Flash Mob” to appear at Hy-Vee Sunday

Cast members of the LP High School  “Footloose” production are preparing for their shows in the school auditorium March 26 – 28.

Matt Baker is information officer with the school. Baker says to further promote the show, the cast will do a “Flash mob-style” surprise performance at Hy-Vee Sunday at 12:30pm. That means the cast will seemingly come from out of nowhere to perform a song or two before dispersing again.

Tickets for the show at the end of the month are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

IVAR again asking for help

After a thorough cleaning of their LaSalle facility for parvo-virus, the IVAR shelter in north LaSalle has a new set of problems. Drainage pipes between the sewer and the building’s interior are clogged solid.

An IVAR member texted the message Friday. The whole system was being torn apart and it required the removal of the ceiling in 2 rooms and washing equipment. IVAR is asking if you can, to donate money to help them out of their current situation.

Streator boil order continues

If you live in Streator or Kangley, the boil order continues Sunday after a water sample Friday tested positive for E. Coli bacteria. The boil order is city wide.

Karen Cotton with Illinois American Water says bottled water will be available Sunday at the Streator Fire Department. Cotton says over 2000 cases of bottled water and 700 5-gallon containers have been distributed.

Illinois American Water is hoping to have the boil order lifted by sometime later Sunday.