LaSalle County GOP to Launch Website Geared at County Republicans

LaSalle County Republicans will have a new digital voice starting this Friday.

According to the LaSalle County Republican Party, www.LaSalleCountyRepublicans.org will be the first website designed to support and promote Republican news and candidates on the county level. The Chairman of the LaSalle County County Republican Party, Don Jensen, calls it “a place where local communities and Republicans specifically can stay informed.”

Illinois’ State Republican Party had provided a local-themed website in the past, but became overwhelmed by the number of area governments and ultimately pulled the sites.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for more information on the LaSalle County Democrats, their website can be found at www.lasalledemocrats.com.

IVCC Looks to Curb College Entrance Exam Fears for Students

The words “standardized testing” can put fear into school kids, regardless of grade. But for those getting ready to apply to colleges, IVCC is hoping to calm some of those worries.

IVCC will be holding ACT Prep classes at their Ottawa Center and Oglesby campus. The classes will provide information about the exam itself as well as some tips and strategies designed to demystify college admission testing in general.

The Ottawa class is from 9am to 4pm on January 23^rd. The two sessions in Oglesby will be February 20^th and 27^th. Cost of either class is $85 and includes a test prep textbook.

No injuries after St. Bede bus involved in minor crash

Everyone was okay after an alleged drunken driver swiped a St. Bede activity bus.

Around 8:30 Saturday night, Peru Police were told about a driver crossing the center line on Route 6 and hitting the back end of a St. Bede bus and driving away. Chad Cole of Oglesby was tracked down and arrested for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.

He was given a day in court.

Cold spell could bode well for eagle viewing in the Illinois Valley

The cold spell we’ve had may not be for you but it is for the birds, in particular bald eagles.

The 19th Annual Bald Eagle Watch Weekend is January 30th and 31st. But Kevin Eubank with the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center says the warm weather and flooding have led to only 5 eagles at the dam on Monday, when more than 200 have been there in years prior.

He says the cold weather could still cause the icing that drives the birds to the dam and there could be plenty of bald eagles. If you do spot one, Eubank says to admire them from a distance even though a photo op is tempting.

The Bald Eagle Watch Weekend will be held at the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, Starved Rock Lodge and Starved Rock State Park. In addition to bird watching there will be programs running from 9 until 5 both days.

Cyber Cafe and Student Center ready for IVCC students

The new semester at Illinois Valley Community College means a new Student Center and Cyber Café

The additions will be ready for students Thursday ahead of a public grand opening ceremony next Tuesday morning. The Student Center has conference rooms, computers, video gaming rooms, and high-top tables. The Cyber Café has computers, drinks and a view of the courtyard. The additions cost over a million dollars with the state covering part of the cost.

The café and Student Center are considered the final phase in a $31 million construction project that included the Peter Miller Community Technology Center.

Afternoon Fire Causes Massive Damage to LaSalle Home

A woman and her three children are without a home after it burned in La Salle.

Firefighters from La Salle got the initial call just before two Monday afternoon about a house fire near 1st and Tonti Street. Thankfully nobody was home at the time of the fire. Peru firefighters helped La Salle in having the fire out in under an hour.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.

Charging stations for electric cars coming to Peru

The Illinois Valley has plenty of gas stations but soon it’ll be home to an electric car charging station.

The Peru City Council has put on file plans from Tesla Motors to build eight electric car charging stations in the Hy-Vee parking lot. Mayor Scott Harl says this is a “pretty big thing” for Peru. City Attorney Doug Schweickert says the closest car charging stations are Joliet and Aurora.

The stations will be on the southeast corner of Hy-Vee’s parking lot.