New medical clinic set to open in Princeton

A new clinic will begin seeing patients Monday morning after a ribbon cutting and blessing.

Saint Margaret’s Center for Family Health in Princeton is a $3.8 million facility that will provide X-Rays, blood screening, and other essential services to western Bureau County.
Linda Burt says as Vice President of Quality and Community Services, their goal is to get care to everyone who needs it.

If you’d like to check out the 11,000 square foot facility, you can also go to either the grand opening ceremony or public open house in March.

2015 was a mixed bag for housing market in the Illinois Valley

It was an up and down year for home sales in the Illinois Valley.

According to year end numbers from the Illinois Association of REALTORS, the total number of homes closed on last year in Bureau and La Salle County was down while home sales in Putnam County were up.

There were 1,091 closed sales in 2015 in La Salle County, a 6 percent drop from 2014. In Bureau County 308 homes were closed on last year, a 7 percent drop from the year before.

While it’s a much smaller sample size, Putnam County home sales are up 37 percent with 73 homes closed on in 2015.

2016 hunting licenses and permits ready for purchase

It’s time to start looking ahead with most hunting seasons now in the books.

Fishing, hunting sportsman’s combination licenses and usage stamps are now available from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Licenses and usage stamps bought now are good through March of 2017.

To get your hunting or fishing license, click DNR Licenses

Illinois’ unemployment rate trending the wrong way

2015 ended on a down note for Illinois when it comes to the job scene.

According to the latest numbers, the state’s jobless rate in December was 5.9 percent, up from 5.7 percent in November and almost a full percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate. The rate includes Illinoisans who are out of work and actively looking for a job.

For 2015, Illinois lost about 3,000 jobs. Last year marked the first time since 2009 that Illinois ended the year with less jobs then it started the year with.

Musical comedy opens 2016 at Stage 212

A three-part musical comedy is kicking off 2016 for Stage 212 in La Salle.

“The Apple Tree” kicked off its run Friday night with performances Saturday night, Sunday afternoon and three more shows next weekend. The comedy explores relationships between men and women including the first act of the play that delves into the story of Adam and Eve. Dixie Schroeder is directing a cast of almost 20.

Show time tonight is 7:30 at the downtown La Salle theater. Tickets are available at the door or on the Stage 212 website.