Now Hiring: The La Salle Fire Department

Have you always dreamed of being a firefighter?

The La Salle Fire Department is taking applications for a firefighter opening. Some of the qualifications include being a licensed paramedic, between 21 to 35 years old and live within the city limits of La Salle within a year of being hired. Veterans and anyone with a degree will have a leg up on other applicants.

For an application, click La Salle Firefighter Application

Middle school cleaning leads to resumption of classes at Midland School District

For the first time in almost two weeks, school is back in session with the Midland School District.

Air quality samples showed mold spores at the middle school in Sparland. However district officials say they immediately wiped down the building and did other recommendations so that both the middle school and high school open back up Wednesday.

The elementary school in Lacon is closed for the rest of the school year because of lead and dust. Elementary students will finish out the year at the middle school building.

Illinois Valley’s best young spellers ready to vye for title

The drama that is the county spelling bee returns to Ottawa this Saturday morning.

Thirty-nine school district winners in La Salle, Putnam and Marshall Counties will compete for the title at the 56th annual spelling bee at Ottawa High School. The bee now includes spellers from Putnam and Marshall County since the Regional Office of Education in La Salle County consolidated with the other counties.

The winner Saturday advances to the Grand Finals March 18th in Peoria. Whoever wins that bee heads to the national contest in Washington D.C.

Besides the title of top speller, Saturday’s winner also gets $200, a first place plaque and a $50 gift card to The Book Mouse in Ottawa.

Ladd man killed in Monday night crash

For the second time this week, a crash in Bureau County has claimed a young life.

Twenty-two-year-old Devin Parker of Ladd was killed Monday night after a crash on Route 89 north of Plank Road near the Bureau-La Salle County line. Parker was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 21-year-old James Wright of Cherry.

Both were taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley where Parker was pronounced dead and Wright was flown from to Peoria.

Earlier Monday, a 28-year-old Peoria woman was killed in a Bureau County crash near Tiskilwa.

City of Ottawa Looking to Sell Two Historic Pieces of Downtown Land

It’s time for companies to start putting their bids together for two prime pieces of property in downtown Ottawa.

The first property is on the 100 block of West Madison Street where the former Little City Building once stood. Despite the name “little”, the building was actually five stories and the US Environmental Protection Agency paid to have it torn down last year because they considered it unsafe.

The second property is one the city is hoping to redevelop, not tear down. It’s the three-story commercial building at 618 Court Street. The city hopes a buyer will turn the first floor into a retail or restaurant place, with apartments possibly on the other two floors.

The city will start formally entertaining bids once enough interest has been shown. If you’d like more information or even if you’re interested in bidding, you can contact the city’s Director of Economic Development, Reed Wilson, at 433-0161.

After delay, Early Voting begins in La Salle County

You can know fill out a ballot in La Salle County for the March primary.

With objections to some of the presidential candidates, La Salle County Clerk JoAnn Carretto made the decision to wait and print out ballots until those objections were resolved. That has happened and you can now cast a ballot at the Etna Road government complex in Ottawa. You can also cast a ballot for next month’s primary in Putnam County at the courthouse in Hennepin. Early Voting in Bureau County doesn’t start until Wednesday, February 17th.

You don’t have to give a reason why you’re voting early.

Registration deadline nears for IVCC spring graduation ceremony

Here’s something to remind you that warmer days are ahead. The deadline to sign up to be a part of spring graduation at Illinois Valley Community College is quickly approaching.

If you want to take part in the ceremony on Saturday, May 21st at IVCC, you have to register by next Tuesday. There’s no cost to be part of the ceremony and you’ll still get your degree even if you bypass the ceremony.

For graduation registration information, click IVCC spring graduation registration

Serena High School vying for best mascot in Illinois

Do you have a favorite high school mascot? CSN Chicago is taking your votes for the best high school nickname in Illinois.

Just like the NCAA men’s tournament, “Mascot Madness” has 64 teams and is broken down into four different regions. Representing the Illinois Valley are the Serena Huskers. Serena’s opening round mascot opponent is Illineks of Urbana.

For a complete list of the bracket, click Serena Mascot Madness

Delay in air quality results keeps Midland schools closed

It’s amazing how much the world revolves around technology.

Classes were supposed to resume Tuesday at the Midland School District but a computer failure has the schools in Lacon, Sparland and Varna still closed. School Superintendent Rolf Sivertsen says he learned Monday afternoon that air quality tests of the grade school couldn’t be finalized because of computer issues. Sivertsen says Midland won’t resume school until air quality results come back.

Due to potentially hazardous lead paint being found inside and outside the Midland Elementary School in Lacon, kindergarten thru 4th graders are being moved to the middle school in Sparland for the rest of the school year. Fifth graders will be shifted from the middle school to the high school in Varna.

Students and staff have been out of class for almost two weeks.