Unemployment Up in Illinois Valley and Statewide in 2015, Down Nationally

The unemployment rate fell for one county in the Illinois Valley in 2015, but it was a tough year for the others.

In LaSalle County there was no change in unemployment from November to December, but it rose 0.5% in 2015 as a whole to 7.7%. Unemployment in Bureau County also ended the year just above 7%, an increase of 0.4%.

The bright spot was Putnam County, where the number fell .3% in December, meaning that the County added jobs for the year. Unemployment fell .1% to 6.4% in Putnam.

Still the numbers in the Illinois Valley lag behind the state overall, where unemployment rose 0.1% to 5.9%. Nationally unemployment fell 0.6% to just 4.8%.

Midland School Board Meeting Saturday to Discuss Hazard Reports

The Midland School Board is holding an emergency meeting at 5 Saturday to discuss “a possible environmental problem at the Elementary School.”

According to the Peoria Journal-Star, the district received reports from a Bloomington engineering firm late on Friday. School Superintendent Rolf Sivertsen said the most significant findings included lead hazards.

Ideal Environmental Engineering found “lead hazards” on painted surfaces in several parts of the building. The firm recommended either control options like stabilizing the paint and covering the affected areas, or replacement options such as chemically removing the paint.

Midland Elementary School was closed Thursday and Friday as a “precautionary measure.” The district was dismissed because, according to the Superintendent, the approximately 300 students could not be taken in elsewhere on such short notice.

Police Identify Woman who Hit Mendota Girl with Her Car

Police have determined a Mendota woman was the one who hit a 12-year old girl with her car Wednesday night.

According to the Mendota Police Department, 44-year old Sandra Lampson was going south on Stroble Avenue when the girl came onto the road and was hit by Lampson.

The girl was taken to OSF Saint Paul Hospital and her condition isn’t currently available. No tickets have been issued yet.

Heritage Harbor Penguin Plunge Raises Record Amount for Make-A-Wish Illinois

More than 250 people took the plunge into the Heritage Harbor Marina earlier this month, raising a record breaking amount of money.

Earlier this week, Heritage Harbor Penguin Plunge presented the total amount the event brought in to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The event raised $101,500 for the charity. That includes $23,000 in contributions brought in by just one team, the Streator Peters.

Make-A-Wish Illinois helped grant the “wishes” of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since 1985, the chapter has been able to grant more than 13,000 wishes.

Two Arrested After Early Morning Traffic Stop on 18

Interfering with the cops on behalf of someone else in the car usually ends badly for everyone involved.

Just after two this morning LaSalle County deputies stopped Catarina B Manasco from Marseilles and David Kierig of Rock Island on Route 18 near Eagle Township. During the stop, the deputies would arrest Kierig for obstructing a peace officer.

After the stop Manasco was arrested for DUI, No Valid Driver’s License, Improper Lane Usage, Improper Use of Registration, and no insurance.

The two were taken to the LaSalle County Jail.