Voting deadline looms for teens

An important deadline for Illinois voters is a few days away. Online voter registration for the 2016 general primary will close Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. The Illinois primary election is March 15th. This is the first presidential election in which 17-year-olds in Illinois can register and vote in the primary if they will be 18 by the general election on November 8th.

OSF working toward Streator goals

Slowly, OSF Center for Health – Streator is getting through the red tape required to operate an emergency center from the old St. Mary’s Hospital.

This past week the Department of Public Health granted OSF Healthcare a waiver allowing ambulances to transport Streator-area patients to urgent care. An ambulance, however, must be stationed at the urgent care facility. OSF and a Medical Transport company are working on that.

Next…..the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review board – on Tuesday – likely will grant OSF Healthcare approval to operate an emerency center. IDPH will then license the facility after inspection is completed.

“Night of Conservation” coming March 3

If you think your property could be more “wildlife” friendly, you should attend a “Night of Conservation” in the Marshall-Putnam Extension office in Henry March 3.

Daryle Wragge, Extension Agriculture Program Coordinator says the evening is free and the speakers will help you plan for improvements to enhance wildlife. Topics include “Maintaining and Enhancing Wildlife”, “Conservation Reserve Program Options and resource practices to enhance wildlife and Bird and Habitat Enhancement. Speakers are provided by the Extension Service, USDA and “Pheasants Forever”. Register by March 1 by calling the Extension office in Henry.

Council may limit video gambling

Statistics have shown that “video gambling” draws in lots of money. The LaSalle City Council agenda on Tuesday will discuss – and possibly act on – limiting the number of video gaming locations and related matters. The council meets at 7pm Tuesday in City Hall.

“Edith” video offers fire safety tips

You may know someone named “Edith”….but, do you know the “Edith” that saves families in time of fire? Streator Fire Department’s video, hosted by spokesperson and Firefighter Bryan Park explains “Edith” or “exit drills in the home”.

Have a working smoke detector. Park says assemble the family and map 2 ways out of the house and each room. Arrange a special meeting place in an emergency. Activate your smoke alarm, so you recognize it and then practice your escape plan, perhaps 2 times a year.

The video is on the Streator Fire Department and Streator Fire Fighters Local 56 Facebook pages.

Advisory in place over our area

Roads are considered snow covered across LaSalle County, with conditions more patchy in Bureau and Putnam Counties. That word Sunday afternoon from “Getting Around Illinois dot com”. A Winter Weather Advisory will be lifted in Bureau and Putnam County at 6….and midnight in LaSalle County.

The call is for 2…and perhaps 4 inches of snow before it ends around 10pm. Southeast winds around 25 mph may cause limited visibility in some areas.