Warmer weather means West Nile Virus season begins again

It’s time to start being on the lookout for dead birds.

The La Salle County Health Department is collecting dead birds to make sure they’re not carrying the West Nile Virus. The virus is spread to birds and humans by mosquitoes. Most people who get West Nile may only experience minor aches and pains but it has killed people in the past. La Salle County has had cases of the virus during the last 13 years.

Dead birds that will be tested include: crows; blue jays; cardinals; and robins. The bird’s body needs to be in good condition when tested and it has to of died from disease.

Yearly postal carrier food drive is this week

It’s time to “stamp out” hunger again with help from your postal carrier.

The 23rd Annual Stamp out Hunger Food Drive is this Saturday nationwide. Your part in the food drive is to leave non-perishable food in a sturdy bag by your mailbox Saturday morning. Postal carriers will pick up the food and take it to food pantries in the Illinois Valley.

Last year mail carriers in Spring Valley collected over 2,000 pounds of food that was donated to the Hall Township Food Pantry.

Three new faces joining the Ottawa High School Board of Education

The new look Ottawa High School Board will take shape Monday night.

The board is having a special meeting at 6:30 in the high school with new board members Dave Keely, Andree-Marie Koban and John Levy will all be sworn in. Keely and Koban ran together promising to shake things up on the board and with the administration. Keely was the building trade’s instructor who was let go last year.

The board will also meet Wednesday morning but will only be in closed session.

Storms leave behind a mess in Lostant

A line of early Sunday evening storms left many in Lostant in the dark.

Nearly 100 ComEd customers were without power Sunday night in Lostant. ComEd says downed trees were the reason. Power has since been restored.

Lostant firefighters say they responded to a power pole fire call with several lines and tree branches down around town. While they were trying to pick up the pieces, firefighters in Lostant also last night got called for a vehicle fire.

DNR urges caution after local park injuries

Illinois conservation officials are cautioning hikers to stay on marked trails after 3 hikers fell in or near Starved Rock State Park in recent weeks. Officials say all 3 moved off marked paths and climbed sandstone walls before falling and needing rescue.

Illinois Conservation Police Officer Phil Wire is among 4 conservation officers stationed in LaSalle County. He says the area is comprised of St. Peter sandstone, which looks solid but actually is fragile and can crumble under a person’s feet.

Officials warn that hiking off-trail not only is dangerous, but can also be costly. The Chicago Tribune reports that people who are retrieved by rescue crews at Starved Rock could receive a bill for emergency services and perhaps face citations for entering a restricted area.

Fire victims scrambling to rebuild lives

Ron Pioli’s video, shown to “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO news” revealed deep black smoke and yellow flames 25 feet high consuming an old house. Oglesby Assistant Fire Chief Steve Maltas said 6 departments tried to save the 3 unit apartment house at 355 East Walnut yesterday, but could not.

The families were home when the fire erupted around 10am and all safely escaped. Firemen arrived in 10 minutes and police closed off streets. Maltas could not comment on a alleged hydrant failure. A state fire marshall examined the remains and will make a determination on the cause.

One of the victims is attempting to arrange a place for donations of clothing and furniture. Once arrangements are made, you will hear all the details on “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” and here on our website.

Convoy Against Cancer event successful

The “Convoy Against Cancer” in Ladd Saturday was successful, says its organizer, Phil Hocking. Hocking told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” news 60 vehicles filled 5 blocks and their drivers/owners paid an entry fee that’s turned over to “Relay for Life”.

$4000 has been raised and the counting hasn’t stopped. Participants providing vehicles included Jeff Perry and J. P. Chevy in Peru, a 110 ton crane from E. J. Cantani, Cherry Valley antique group and the Oswego company working on Ladd’s slag pile brought a vehicle to the event.

Rezin concussion bill passes unanimously

The fact that Senate bill 7 passed unanimously is good news to sponsor, State Senator Sue Rezin. The bipartisan bill requires schools to develop policies to help concussion victims return to the classroom. Doctors would have to clear a student before returning to class or athletics. The bill also proposes – based on resources, that school districts create an emergency action plan in the case of serious injury.

Rezin’s own son is slowly recuperating from the last of 3 concussions on the football field and was a key inspiration for the bill. The bill would effect elementary, middle and high schools. It now goes before the House.

Council to vote on Comcast agreement

The LaSalle City Council could vote on a franchise agreement between the city and Comcast of Illinois Tuesday night in the council chambers at 7pm. Other ordinances on the docket include 1 authorizing a labor agreement between the city and the LaSalle Professional Fire Fighters local 4760. The council may vote to reschedule council meetings to every other Monday.

Alderman will discuss and possibly vote on the sale of city owned real estate at 8th and Joliet streets. Authorization will likely be given to pay Universal Asphalt for the Lincoln Avenue Sanitary Sewer project in the amount of roughly 51-thousand 8-hundred dollars.

Starved Rock accidents get special attention

Illinois conservation officials are cautioning hikers to stay on marked trails after 3 hikers fell in or near Starved Rock State Park in recent weeks. Officials say all 3 hikers moved off marked paths and climbed sandstone walls before falling and needing rescue.

Illinois Conservation Police Officer Phil Wire is among 4 conservation officers stationed in LaSalle County. He says the area is comprised of St. Peter sandstone, which looks solid but actually is fragile and can crumble under a person’s feet.

Officials warn that hiking off-trail not only is dangerous, but also can be costly. The Chicago Tribune reports that people who are retrieved by rescue crews at Starved Rock could receive a bill for emergency services and perhaps face citations for entering a restricted area.