Run and walk in Spring Valley aims to raise awareness for SIDS

When you have a baby, you do everything you can to keep them safe. Ashley and Andrew Lamps had researched the dangers of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but even with their best efforts for prevention, they lost their son, Aden, in 2013.

The Lamps are keeping their son’s memory alive and spreading awareness of SIDS with the Aden Lamps Foundation. The 3rd annual 5K Run/Walk for SIDS Awareness is this Saturday near Hall High School.

The run-walk starts at 9 Saturday at Hall High School. Registration is from 7:30-9. Registration is 25 dollars for adults and 20 dollars for children.

If you want to sign up, call Lamps at 815-712-7701.

Ottawa medical marijuana dispensary ready for customers

Medical marijuana isn’t available yet in Illinois but you can check out a place in the Illinois Valley where you can eventually get the product.

The company running the dispensary in Ottawa is hosting a “launch party and open house” this Saturday from 11 until 3. The PharmaCannis Health & Wellness Center is at 4100 North Columbus Street, just north of Interstate 80 in Ottawa. The party invitation says you can take a tour of the dispensary and celebrate as they prepare for their grand opening.

According to the state, the Ottawa medical marijuana dispensary has yet to officially get its license.

Spring Valley still dealing with well issues

Remember last month when Spring Valley was under a citywide boil order and everyone was asked to conserve water because of well issues? Issues with wells still haven’t completely gone away.

According to the NewsTribune, City Engineer Larry Good says one well that was recently repaired is having motor issues. To fix the issue, they would have to shut down the well for the day which could pose a problem since another main well is still being worked on. Good says the city has enough water reserves to last a full day.

Well issues last month caused a lengthy citywide boil order in Spring Valley and those living in the city were asked to cut back on water usage.

Golfer in critical condition after falling out of moving bus in Spring Valley

It’s always a good idea to stay seated until the bus your riding has come to a complete stop.

Joseph Marchiando of Spring Valley was listed in critical condition as of yesterday at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was flown there Saturday after losing his balance and falling out the door of a moving school bus.

The 48-year-old was part of a group that had rented out a school bus to take them back and forth from a golf outing. Others on the bus say Marchiando was standing up talking to them when he fell down the bus’ steps. The driver says she was slowing to make a turn and stopped the bus as soon as Marchiando fell out.

The fall happened in the 300 block of East Dakota Street.

Homecoming festivities underway at St. Bede, Mendota and Ottawa

When you hear about a tacky tourist, what image comes to mind? Outfits should be interesting at St. Bede Academy as part of Homecoming Week.

The academy has a different theme each day this week with Tuesday being dress like a tacky tourist day. Later in the week, St. Bede’s Homecoming Parade is Thursday followed by a power puff game. A student variety show is Friday night at the academy with the annual Saturday afternoon football game being broadcast on Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO against Erie-Prophetstown. Homecoming Week at St. Bede wraps up Sunday night with the dance.

In Mendota, the Homecoming theme is “Welcome to the Jungle”. The Homecoming Parade is Friday afternoon before the football game against Rockford Lutheran. Mendota High’s dance is Saturday night.

In Ottawa, the Homecoming parade for OHS is Wednesday evening followed by a tug of war and bonfire at the high school. The Friday night football game against Sterling can be heard on 96.5 the Wolf with the Homecoming dance Saturday night.

La Salle sells off four vacant properties that used to house rundown buildings

Four vacant lots in La Salle now have new owners.

During a meeting Monday night, the La Salle City Council opened bids for vacant properties throughout the city and awarded them to the highest bidder. The city had owned the properties, torn down the buildings, and filled in the basements, leaving empty grass lots.

The properties sold were 359 Wright Street, 228 Crosat Street, 1034 5th Street and 334 4th Street. The sell prices ranged from as low as $250 for the Wright Street property to $3,700 for the 5th Street land. Another property at 933 4th Street didn’t receive any bids.

The properties are sold as-is, with no guarantee of title, according to city attorney James McPhedran.