Christmas display lights up Spring Valley

If you’ve already taken in the Weber Christmas Show in La Salle and seen Westclox all lit up in Peru, you should also make it a point to see the Quesse Christmas Light Show in Spring Valley.

The show on Hidden Grove Lane has over a thousand LED lights. The lights are set to music and you can tune your car stereo to 94.7 to follow along with the display.

Unlike the Weber display, the Quesse’s aren’t asking for donations to benefit a food pantry. Hidden Grove Lane is just off Ladd Road.

Student performers needed for L-P spring musical

If you have a young, aspiring actor or actress in your household bring them to L-P High School.

Auditions for the spring musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” start at 4 o’clock. Besides L-P students, actors and actresses in grades 3 through 8 are needed to round out the cast.

If students cant make Monday’s audition, there’s another chance to audition Tuesday at L-P starting again at 4.

Skoog swearing in set for Wednesday

The Illinois Valley officially gets new state representation later this week.

La Salle County Circuit Clerk Andy Skoog will be sworn in as the new 76th District State Representative Wednesday morning at 10 at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby. Judge H. Chris Ryan is expected to do the honors.

Skoog has been circuit clerk in La Salle County since winning the November 2012 election. Before that he was on the village board in Utica.

He won’t have to head to Springfield until next year. The House isn’t due back in session until January 13th.

Mother and daughter from Mendota could spend Christmas in jail because of drugs

If you’ve been following the story of a mother and daughter duo getting busted for drugs in Mendota, they’re still behind bars.

The daughter, Kimberly Bragg is charged with possession of a controlled substance and needs $100,000 to get out of the slammer. Her mom, Ada Bragg is looking at a delivery of a controlled substance charge and needs $50,000 to be released.

The mother and daughter were arrested at their home Friday. They allegedly had crack cocaine throughout their home.

Study gauges University’s impact

A recent study from Northern Illinois University found the school contributes about $900 million a year to the regional economy.  The DeKalb Daily Chronicle reports  that the study comes from NIU’s Center for Governmental Studies. It estimates that student spending, university operations and construction activity generate the economic impact in 17 counties around DeKalb. Study author Brian Richard says he took into account all NIU campuses.

Among the data Richard found were that 58 percent of NIU’s payroll goes to DeKalb County residents and 44 percent of NIU’s employees live in DeKalb County.  The study also found that NIU students spent about $129 million in 2015, including on off-campus housing, food, transportation and entertainment. Capital projects were responsible for 139 jobs and $34.5 million.

Firemen attempt to keep wreath “Red”

Outside the Princeton Fire Department, at Central and Main, hangs a wreath with all red bulbs. How many of them change to “white”, is dependent on residents. The department is again conducting a “Keeping the Wreath Red” campaign to encourage safe management of all fire sources around and in the home.

Lt. Scot Etheridge has been with the Princeton Fire Deparment for 11 years. He told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” that for every holiday fire or holiday related accident that occurs through January 4, a “red” bulb is replaced with a “white” one.

Etheridge recommends keeping your live tree moist and unplug all electrical lights and decorations before leaving or going to bed. Monitor any burning candles and don’t use light strings or extension cords if they are frayed. Be sure to keep paper away from any heat source.

No fatalities handled by Troopers

There was some good news in the monthly activity report from District 17 State Police. In November, there were 94 traffic crashes, but no fatalities in LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam Counties. Across District 17, State troopers handled 249 calls for service and assistance in November. 133 of those were for disabled vehicles. 1 person was arrested in November for being wanted on a warrant and 23 for other criminal offenses.

Last month, 359 speeders were arrested along with 123 for seat belt violations. DUI arrests were 4, while 7 apprehensions were for other alcohol offenses. 739 traffic citations were written in November along with 925 warnings.

“Bowl for Cure” termed successful

The December 5 “Bowl for the Cure” at “Pinsplitter’s Lanes” in Princeton raised $3866 dollars. That word from organizer, Anna Flaig. Flaig told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” she was happy with the results. Not only bowlers but the community turned out to make donations, according to Flaig. $15 of every $20 paid by bowlers went to the cause.

Student dead 1 day after birthday

University of North Texas campus police have fatally shot a student on the day after his 21st birthday, after he allegedly threatened an officer with an ax. University officials tell The Dallas Morning News that the shooting happened near the Denton campus early today, after police responded to a report that someone was breaking car windows. The Texas Rangers are investigating.

“Make Room for Daddy” actress dead

Actress Marjorie Lord has died. She appeared on Broadway and in films, but was best known as Danny Thomas’ wife on the 1950s TV sitcom “Make Room For Daddy.” In the 1943 films – “Shantytown” and “Sherlock Holmes in Washington” – Lord appeared with her first husband, John Archer, who died in 1999. Their daughter is the film star Anne Archer. Marjorie Lord was 97.