Long, Oberweis and Urlacher among the names beating the election filing deadline

Saying he didn’t have time to collect election signatures during the week because of his truck driving job, Jerry Long of Streator just did meet the filing deadline.

The Republican turned in his papers Monday to run for the 76th District State Representative seat currently held by Frank Mautino. Long narrowly lost to Mautino in last year’s election but will face Democrat Andy Skoog of La Salle next year if he’s able to beat Jacob Bramel of Marseilles in the March primary.

Among the bigger names filing for state office Monday was Republican Jim Oberweis of Oberweis Dairy fame and Republican Casey Urlacher, the younger brother of Bear great Brian Urlacher.

Republican party chairman in La Salle County wants board chairman job

The chairman of the La Salle County Board will have to fight for a third term.

Democrat Jerry Hicks of Marseilles is running for re-election and while he won’t face a primary challenge, the chairman will have to beat Republican Don Jensen in the November election. Jensen filed his election papers Monday before the deadline.

While Hicks last ran unopposed in 2012, Jensen was on the same ballot but lost in an attempt to beat State Representative Frank Mautino. Jensen has since become the chairman of the La Salle County Republican Central Committee.

Being board chairman comes with a $68,000 salary.

Princeton Library to Host Illinois Valley Musicians Fridays in December

If you’d like to take in some holiday music throughout the month of December while having a chance to support local artists, the Princeton Public Library may be worth a visit.

On Friday evenings throughout the month, the library is playing host to musicians from the Illinois Valley looking to play some holiday tunes. They invite you to enjoy what the library has to offer as well as the songs of the season.

As with all other programs at the library, admission is free and open to all.

Peru Culver’s Looking to be Named Best in the Nation

A lot of restaurants strive to provide service that’s better than 99% of what you would get elsewhere. One Peru burger joint now has the stats to back their claim.

Culver’s of Peru is a national finalist in the Culver’s Crew Challenge. More than 500 franchises compete in areas of quality, service, cleanliness, hospitality, and community outreach. The national finalist label means the Peru restaurant is in the top 5.

Making it to this stage means Culver’s of Peru is guaranteed $10,000 in prize money to share among the restaurant’s employees. Should they take the national title, that amount will jump to $50,000.

Miracle on 1st Street returning to La Salle

Get out of the house with your children or grandchildren this Saturday with a trip to downtown La Salle. Miracle on First Street is the city’s annual Christmas celebration.

In the morning you can have breakfast with Santa taking pictures with Santa at his house. There will also be a Santa’s workshop, sleigh rides, and giveaways. The winner of the long-running La Salle 50/50 will also be drawn this weekend.

Miracle on First Street wraps up with an afternoon walk with Santo to city hall where the city tree will be lit for the season.

Fire departments promote holiday lighting safety

Holiday displays in front of both the Mendota and Peru Fire Departments include a wreath lit up with red lights. It’s your job to keep it red.

The fire departments have kicked off the annual “Keeping the Wreath Red” campaign. If the fire departments between now and the beginning of 2016 respond to fires started directly by holiday lights, a red bulb is replaced by a white one. It’s a symbolic suggestion to take precautions with fire dangers during the holidays.

Dry air in homes along with candles and trees add to the rise in fires.

Kinzingers latest TV appearance sets off internet outrage

The latest internet outrage is swirling around a congressman representing the Illinois Valley.

Republican Adam Kinzinger who has publicly come out against abortion was on CNN Friday as news was unfolding about a gunman at a Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado. A Planned Parenthood representative put out a statement as the shootings began saying “we don’t know yet if Planned Parenthood was in fact the target of this attack”. She went on to say “we share the concerns of many Americans that extremists are creating a poisonous environment that feeds domestic terrorism”.

Many took to the congressman’s Facebook page and blasted him for demanding an apology even though the Planned Parenthood statement never directly said the shooter was targeting Planned Parenthood. A Facebook post by Kinzinger that was originally about giving thanks during the holiday grew into nearly 400 comments of statements like “shame on you”, “ignorant” and “disgusting”.

The congressman hasn’t put out a public statement since Friday’s CNN appearance.

PIRG suggests safe toy shopping

How many cardboard tubes from a roll of toilet paper have you thrown away in the last month? You now have a use for 1 of those tubes and it involves toy shopping for a child under age “3”.

Abe Scarr is the director of the Illinois Public Interest Research Group, who looks for store displayed toys with possible toxic chemicals or  a “choking hazard”. Scarr says take that cardboard tube with you to the store. If a toy or part of a toy fits inside the cylinder, that toy should not be around children age “3” or under.

P-I-R-G’s “Trouble in Toyland” report says a ban on small powerful magnets has been met, however, Scarr says not all toys comply with the law and some hazardous items might still be on sale.

Weather allowing holiday travel

The weather is cooperating in most parts of the U.S. as tens of millions of Americans return home after the long Thanksgiving weekend. The National Weather Service says weather across much of the country is seasonably mild, making for smooth travel conditions. The exception is a swath of the central Plains, where a winter storm is expected to bring freezing rain and snow.

In parts of North Texas and Arkansas, flooding is a concern as a storm dumps more rain on rivers already swollen from days of downpours.

“Red Wreath” campaign underway

A wreath wrapped in red decorative lighting now sits on a monument in front of the Mendota Fire Station. Only 1 thing can change 1 of its red lights to white. A holiday related fire started by decorations or an injury due to a holiday related accident.

That’s how Mendota’s “Keeping the Wreath Red” campaign works. According to the department’s Facebook page, the wreath will be removed January 3. But, until then, it’s hoped residents will practice extra fire prevention and safety efforts. The fire department advises careless use of candles and the addition of wreaths, trees and extra combustibles contribute to the speed and size of winter fires. Fire Chief Dennis Rutishauser warns dry air in homes and auxiliary heating sources add to the rise in fire deaths during the winter months.