Illinois will test security for meds

Illinois will be the first state in the country to test out a pilot program that will put locking devices on some prescription painkillers to make it harder for people to abuse the drugs. The numerical locking devices will be similar to those used on gym lockers and will be placed on pill bottles. Governor Bruce Rauner signed the measure into law last week. It takes effect in 2016.

Kickoff Dinner for Ottawa playground

   You may have heard about the planned Ottawa-Kiwanis Project Inclusive Playground. Both the City of Ottawa and Ottawa-Kiwanis invite you to a complimentary dinner and presentation in the Knights of Columbus banquet facility Wednesday. 

    Kara Jones is the Project Public Relations manager. She said the “Kick-off” Party includes a social Hour at 5, Dinner at 6 then introductions and a Visual Presentation. The group has a goal of $250-thousand dollars. Everyone is invited to attend.

Northview School grand opening Tuesday

    A long construction project ends with a grand opening. Peru Elementary School Board is inviting the public to come see the Northview new addition and renovation Tuesday night. Superintendent Mark Cross says Northview now covers 80-thousand square feet and follows the opening of the state-of-the-art Parkside Middle School 6 years ago. Cross said the 2 projects have rebuilt the school district from the ground up at a cost of 32-million and without an increase in property taxes.

    The Northview Grand Opening will have a ribbon cutting at 5 Tuesday and the Open House till 7pm. Refreshments will be served. Students will enter the new Northview School on Wednesday, September 2.

Illinois House debates a veto Wednesday

The Illinois House is expected to debate Wednesday whether to override Governor Bruce Rauner’s veto of a bill that would send public sector labor impasses to binding arbitration.  Rauner has called it the “worst bill in Illinois history.”  He condemned senators who voted to override and he is now urging House members to uphold his veto.

Advocates on either side are speaking out.

“The arbitration process itself,” says, Keith Turney of the Fraternal Order of Police, “many times gets the parties to act in a more reasonable nature and prevent them from even going to arbitration.”  Republican commentator Dan Proft, speaking for the Illinois Opportunity Project said, ” The governor is the duly elected representative of the people, and the governor should be the one who is negotiating contracts with public-sector unions.”

“Taste of Home” Cooking School tickets available

    If you’re looking forward to the next Taste of Home Cooking School, tickets are now on sale. The show is Saturday, November 14th at LP High School. You’ll be able to learn new recipes while watching them prepared on stage by Culinary Specialist Guy Klinzing. Before the show, you’ll have a chance to meet people selling home items and get lunch.

    VIP tickets are 30 dollars, premium seats are 20 dollars and general admission is 12 dollars. For 50 dollars you can get a premium seat at the cooking school, an autograph from Guy and a cookbook.     You can buy tickets online at either ClassicHits103.9wlpo.com, 993wajk.com or 20inarowcountry.com.

Civil War event at Ottawa Sunday

   You would get an extensive education of the “Civil War” by visiting the WHL Wallace Memorial event Sunday at Pitstick’s north of Ottawa. This is the second day of the event designed to raise money for the restoration of Dickey Cemetery, where Civil War General Wallace is buried. You can view and experience camp life, battle re-enactment, a field hospital, a Bishop’s debate on slavery, music of the era and more. Admission is $5 or $15 for a family.

“PADS” expects a busier season

Another ripple effect from the budget impasse. “P.A.D.S.” is opening again Tuesday to the homeless – especially those receiving state assistance for rent, heat or electricity bills. Carol Alcorn is the Executive Director. She told the News Tribune they’re prepping for more guests staying a lot longer. Last year, Alcorn said 160 men, 76 women and 18 children stayed in the Peru and Ottawa shelters. 180 stayed less than a month.

The Peru facility lodges 16 men and 8 women. “P.A.D.S.” needs 280 volunteers a month and some are getting too old to help. And, since the state isn’t paying, “P.A.D.S.” needs more funding to keep it all going. Items needed include peanut butter and jelly, floor cleaners, toilet cleaners, resealable bags, paper towels, trash bags, toilet paper, plastic spoons and laundry soap.

Route 251 construction starts tommorrow

    The stretch of Route 251 between the Peru Bridge and the Oglesby short-cut sees a lot of traffic each weekday. If you use it, you should know part of that stretch will undergo construction starting Monday.   Efforts are focused at the Slough road intersection which has had several serious and even fatal accidents recently. The construction will increase visibility for persons turning off Slough road. Construction signs are posted.