Insurance sign-up deadline on Sunday night

Sunday night is the sign-up deadline for subsidized private health insurance under President Barack Obama’s health care law. Administration officials say the deadline is 1:59 a.m. Central time on Monday.

The deadline is for Illinois and the 37 other states using the HealthCare DOT gov website. People also can enroll on the phone by calling 1-800-318-2596.

Word out on spotter courses

Could mentioning an upcoming weather seminar bring spring faster? Well, here goes anyway. The National Weather Service is scheduling free spotter training courses over several counties this month and next. The NWS will be at IVCC Peter Miller Community Technology Center March 2 at 7pm.

It’s open to anyone age 10 on up and lasts 2 hours. Local emergency management employees will be present. You can attend any weather spotter course in the state if you can’t make the IVCC program. You can register for the IVCC program by finding the link on the Chicago National Weather Service page under spotter courses.

Assisted living helper charged with theft

It was theft done by someone who should be trusted. A Dekalb County Sheriff’s deputy and detectives went to a residence on Bastian Road near Hinckley Saturday morning. After an investigation, 50-year old Lavonda Ratliff of Sandwich – an in-home healthcare worker – was charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Law enforcement officers alleged Ratliff was stealing money – over a period of time – from a 97-year old resident. Ratliff was being held in the county jail pending bond.

Police arrest trespassing man

Whether you know someone or not, you’d want to know why they came on your property. The owner of property at 544 9^th street told LaSalle police a man, later identified as 28-year old Jaunte Barry of LaSalle, was hanging around very late Saturday night. The owner told police he asked Barry why he was there and Barry allegedly became confrontational. Police found Barry in the 700 block of 8^th street and arrested him for disorderly conduct, resisting an officer and obstructing an officer. The LaSalle man was given a notice to appear.

Domestic violence call involves a gun

Peru police handle a domestic disturbance with a twist. It was in LaSalle and it involved a firearm discharging. About 7:45pm Saturday night, officers were called to 427 7^th street. After investigation, they arrested 34-year old Travis Reynolds of that address for domestic battery and reckless discharge of a firearm.

He went to the county jail.

Building HH is closing

Do you know the history of Building HH? It’s part of Caterpillar’s East Peoria campus and it – along with 4 other factories including 1 in China – are closing in 2018. It had it’s start, says the Peoria Journal Star, in 1929 after the merger that formed Caterpillar.

Building HH got its name for the first product assembled there – Holt Combine Harvesters. It’s 5 acres under roof included, in 1930, the world’s largest showroom housing every piece of equipment the company made. President Obama visited the facility in 2009.

Insurance sign-up deadline is Sunday night

Sunday night is the sign-up deadline for subsidized private health insurance under President Barack Obama’s health care law. Administration officials say the deadline is 1:59 a.m. Central time on Monday. The deadline is for Illinois and the 37 other states using the HealthCare DOT gov website. People also can enroll on the phone by calling 1-800-318-2596.

“Hunger Blitz” called successful

An all day “Hunger Blitz” by the Utica Knights of Columbus” means an extra 2 tons of food for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry. That word from Donna Hess, Executive Director of the Pantry. The exact weight was 4066 lbs, about 334 pounds shy of last year’s event.

“Knights” and St. Bede students were stationed at “Sav-a-Lot” and Illinois Valley Food and Deli in LaSalle and “Hy-Vee and Wal-Mart” in Peru for an eight hour push Saturday. Last year’s effort brought in 4400 hundred pounds of food and $3000 cash.  About $2700 in cash was raised Saturday.

“Bald Eagle Watch” again Sunday at 3 sites

“Bald Eagle Watch” weekend allows you to experience these birds in person, record them on film or even hike to watch them. The annual event is in 3 locations, Starved Rock Lodge, Starved Rock Visitors Center and the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center. All will have live raptor shows and about all the programs are free. Starved Rock Audubon members will be at the Waterway visitors center Sunday along with a photography expert.

At the park’s visitors center, learn tips on landscaping for wildlife and take a hike to see the bald eagles. The Lodge has several childrens’ offerings. Displays and live shows will start at 9 at any location and wrap up after 5pm. Ameren Illinois is a sponsor.

Illinois Valley Bridal Show Sunday at IVCC

It’s now the 36^th Annual Illinois Valley Bridal Show. It’s Sunday in the Peter Miller Community Technology Center and is sponsored by “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO”, “99-3 WAJK” and “96-5 The Wolf”. Admission is free. Better than 50 vendors on 2 floors will talk about their various products and services. A Style Show is set for 2:15pm.

Hundreds of dollars in prizes will be given away including $500 to spend at any show sponsor and $500 towards the purchase of a bridal gown from “Bridal Elegance” of Ottawa. Liz Issacson of 99-3 WAJK’s “Shalizabeth” will host the style show. Several of our personalities will be on hand during the festivities.