Contract talks continuing for Streator teachers

The possibility of a teacher’s strike still looms in Streator.

Members of the teacher’s union will sit down again Monday with district officials and a mediator to try and hammer out a new contract. If things don’t work out today, Jan Urbance with the teacher’s union says they could strike.

The sides met last month with a mediator as well. Salary and benefits continue to be a couple of the issues. The school district has made major cuts the past couple years including closing a school.

Demolition set to begin on nearly 80-year-old school in Peru

If Washington Elementary School holds a special place in your heart, now may be a good time to snap a picture for your scrapbook.

Peru School Superintendent Mark Cross says heavy equipment will arrive at the school in a couple days and demolition will start later this week. If everything goes right, the building should be completely gone by the end of March. The school’s playground and garage will avoid the wrecking ball for now.

Cross says demolition will start on the north end of Washington and work south. Copenhaver Construction out of Gilberts is doing the job.

The city is being deeded the property once the school is gone. No official plans have been announced of what to use the property for in the future.

Trivia night in Ottawa Saturday

Apparently, the third Saturday of this month, there will be trivia – at least at Reddick Mansion in Ottawa. According to the Association, trivia will be at the mansion starting at 7 this Saturday. Teams can be from 5 to 10 people and the charge is $10 a head. Beverage and snacks will be provided with proceeds going to the restoration and maintenance of Reddick Mansion. You can call Reddick Mansion in Ottawa to reserve a table – 433-6100.

ISP offers seminar help

Do you have a son or daughter interested in joining law enforcement? The Illinois State Police will give a free Physical Fitness Inventory test seminar in 2 locations next month. The seminar provides hands-on instruction to help successfully past the Physical Fitness Inventory Test or PFIT.

Passing a PFIT is 1 requirement to becoming an Illinois State Trooper. Seminars are February 20 at the State Police Academy in Springfield or February 27 at the College of Dupage Homeland Security Education Center. You must RSVP 5 days prior to the event. You can call District 17 at LaSalle for more details.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seminars are February 20 at the State Police Academy in Springfield or February 27 at the College of Dupage Homeland Security Education Center. You must RSVP 5 days prior to the event. You can call District 17 at LaSalle for more details. 

Mendota man remains in county jail

A Mendota man needs $100-thousand dollars to get out of jail after his arrest for allegedly selling drugs to undercover cops. On Thursday, TRIDENT arrested Jamal Roach of Mendota for allegedly selling crack cocaine to undercover police several times. Roach was at home when he was arrested  – the same home a mother and daughter were arrested in a month ago for also allegedly selling crack cocaine.

Thursday’s search turned up 10 grams of crack. Roach is in the county jail on $1 million dollars bond.

Governor and Union at impasse

No progress reported at the end of last week in labor talks between Governor Rauner and the state’s largest public employee union. Associate Press said both sides were evaluating whether negotiations will continue. The two sides have been in contract talks for more than a year. The previous contract expired June 30, but both sides agreed last year to keep negotiating without the possibility of a strike.

Each side is blaming the other for the standstill. The Rauner administration says the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees rejected additional meetings for this week. But, AFSCME says it’s Rauner who’s refusing to participate in more bargaining sessions while they’re willing to continue talks. AFSCME represents 36-thousand state workers.

Roads provide driving trouble

Anyone driving today is most likely finding ice or snow covered roads across LaSalle County. The National Weather Service said Mendota received 3 inches of snow by late Saturday night. The wind was causing blowing and drifting on north/south roads.  Our Facebook followers have been sharing their experiences driving Sunday. Gusty northwest winds are expected to slow somewhat Sunday night and become more westerly.

But,  the Illinois Valley will experience wind chills down to 15 below zero Sunday night and possibly 20 below on Tuesday night.

“Golden Globes” handed out Sunday night

Without a runaway favorite for this year’s top Academy Award, a handful of key contenders are looking to Sunday night’s 73rd annual Golden Globes for a little traction on the road to the Oscars.  Among the nominees with the most to gain from a best-picture win when the Globes are handed out in Beverly Hills, California, are ”Mad Max: Fury Road,” ”The Revenant,” ”Spotlight,” “The Big Short” and ”The Martian.”     Conspicuously absent from this year’s Globes nominees is “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which on Wednesday, became the highest-grossing movie of all time in North America.

Returning for a fourth stint as Globes host after a 3-year break is caustic comic Ricky Gervais. Presenters will include Tom Hanks, Helen Mirren, Michael Keaton, Lady Gaga, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Lopez.

Tribune article details firefighting

What’s your knowledge of firefighting? The Chicago Tribune recently spoke with Orland Park Fire Battalion chief William Bonnar, Jr., a 35 year firefighting veteran to enlighten the public about firefighting. For instance, Chief Bonnar said items in homes 50-some years ago, were made of wood, cotton and wool. Today, he said, it’s pressboard and plastic. In a fire, as their temperature rises, these items turn back into what they were made from: crude oil. Poisonous gases are released and ceiling temperatures may register from 11-hundred to 2000 degrees.

Smoke, Bonnar said, is a more common killer. And, finally, believe it or not: Bonnar said some firefighters, residing at the station, have to learn to operate mowers, weed wackers and even to clean a bathroom.

Rep. Skoog hosts meetings

     The General Assembly may have delayed their meeting in Springfield this week, but that won’t stop an Illinois Valley representative from meeting with voters. 

     76^th District Representative Andy Skoog is holding an Open House this Thursday, January 16^th in Spring Valley. Skoog says anyone from the District is welcome to stop by and give their opinion on a variety of issues.

   In addition, Skoog will be at the Reddick Library in Ottawa from 10 until noon on Tuesday, January 26^th. He says that, being new to the assembly, he wants everyone he represents to have a chance to meet with him and talk about the issues facing the state.

    Using these satellite office hours, he says he’ll be able to meet with constituents and offer help navigating state programs and services. He’s planning to hold meetings like these regularly throughout the district.