Truckload of deals to help families dealing with cancer

If you have a bargain shopper in your household, be sure to mark April 2nd and 3rd down on the calendar.

A “Gigantic Truck Load Sale” is happening those two days at the Dalzell Fire Station. There will be name brand pet and schools supplies, household and hair care products at a discount. Proceeds will go to Cops 4 Cancer who helps Illinois Valley families deal with cancer through financial help.

The sale runs 9 until 3 both days.

Razors warming up for annual St. Baldrick’s Day

It’s St. Baldrick’s week in the Illinois Valley.

The number of men and women having their heads shaved for childhood cancer research is approaching a hundred. The goal this year is to raise $50,000. So far over a dozen women have signed up to raise money and shave their heads along with Rob and Sean from the 96.5 the Wolf morning show.

As usual, Jeremiah Joe in downtown Ottawa is hosting the St. Baldrick’s event from 10 until 2. If you can donate or want to sign up to be a shavee, click St. Baldrick’s Ottawa

Get to know your police officers in Princeton

Have you ever wanted to get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to be a police officer? The Princeton Police Department is bringing back its Citizen’s Police Academy.

The academy will be limited to 20 students and go for ten weeks, once a week starting Tuesday, April 5th. If you’re at least 21 years old, you’ll learn about all aspects of the Princeton Police Department, even get to ride along with an officer. Police officers will be the instructors.

To sign up for the academy, call the Princeton PD.

City of LaSalle seeks summer help

It’s that time of the year when local cities start searching for summer employees. The City of LaSalle is accepting applications for someone at least 18 years of age to be an Assistant Pool Manager. LaSalle is also looking to hire persons at least 16 years of age as Certified Life Guards and Pool Support Staff.

To apply, pick up and complete an application and return it to the “Parks and Recreation” office on the 2nd floor of City Hall or mail it to the Parks and Recreation Commission, 745 2nd Street in LaSalle.

McNabb native makes tornado predictions

Weather maps have wavy lines and numbers. It could give you a headache. But examining 50 years worth, gave a McNabb native and professor a fairly solid method to predict tornados 2 – 3 weeks out. Victor Gensini is an IVCC, NIU and University of Georgia alum and is an Assistant Professor of Meterology at the College of Dupage. He told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” that he and a NIU researcher believe certain twists and turns in the jet stream in the western Pacific foretell of tornados later in the US.  Gensini said we’re predicting either above average -or below average likelihood of tornado occurance across the country.

He has made a prediction even now.  Gensini believes the Great Plains and lower Central U.S. – including southern Illinois – are at risk for a tornado outbreak in 14 – 21 days.

Mendota District registering kindergarteners

Do you live in the Mendota School District with a child eligible for kindergarten? The District office will register eligible children at Blackstone School this Thursday from 6 – 7:30pm. It’s emphasized that these parents need to attend the registration night. They’ll be raffles for free gifts, too. A child is eligible in the Mendota District to enter kindergarten this fall if they are 5 years old on or before September 1.

Dozing driver uninjured; rolls car

Which is more scary? A wide-awake reckless driver…or one who nods off? A 33-year old Ransom man likely woke up when his car hit a mailbox on Route 170 – a half mile east of Exelon around 1:30am Saturday. Ryan Johnson told a deputy he dosed off, hit the mailbox then over-corrected. The car entered the east ditch and overturned. No tickets or injuries reported.

IDOT workers return stolen jewels

Searching dead leaves and snow for jewelry isn’t typical IDOT chores. While cutting trees on Route 89 at Varna February 5th, Troy Gensler and Tim Peterson found a battered jewelry box in the ditch. Inside,  a badge gave Gensler a name to google. He called the Cornell phone number that came with the name. Renee Bantista answered. The IDOT worker told Bantista about his muddy find and she was happy…….but also sad that 2 wedding rings, engraved watch and keepsakes weren’t there.

Bantista said a thief swiped the box one September day while she and husband Paul were away. Gensler eventually said “good-bye”.  But he and co-worker Peterson decided to look that ditch over again.  Over 20 minutes of sifting through hand deep muck uncovered what the Bantista’s desperately wanted.

And, recently, Gensler and Peterson met face to face with Paul and Renee Bantista and,  according to the Pantagraph, officially return the rings, watch and even a 30- year old soggy note from their son.

Dimmick School board meets Monday

The News Tribune says Dimmick School Board will meet in special session at 6:30pm Monday. Members will talk about a proposal to combine with the Cherry School District 92 and to file a joint petition with the LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties Regional Superintendent in hopes of posing the question to voters this November 8.