Computer problems delay La Salle County election results

Technology is great when it works right.

Election results in La Salle County were delayed last night because of computer issues according to La Salle County Clerk JoAnne Caretto.  Caretto says one computer used for election results crashed while two others weren’t communicating with each other.  She says they tested everything out before the election and it all checked out fine.

While the polls closed at 7, the first results in La Salle County didn’t come trickling in until well after 10.

Trump and Sanders roll in the Illinois Valley

The Illinois Valley is Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders country.

Trump won the Republican primary in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam County while Sanders won all three counties on the Democratic ticket.  Trump’s best county was Putnam County where he got 49 percent of the vote to Ted Cruz’s 29 percent.  Sanders had his best showing La Salle County getting 57 percent of the vote compared to 42 percent for Hillary Clinton.

John Kasich finished 3^rd for Republicans in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties behind Trump and Cruz.

Streator tax increase fails while tax vote passes in Dalzell

It was mixed results for election questions that asked voters in the Illinois Valley to raise taxes.

In Streator, over 60 percent of votes were against raising taxes to help the financially strapped elementary school district. If the tax would’ve passed, it would’ve added more than a million dollars in revenue to the school district.

In Bureau County, voters said okay to a tax increase to support the Dalzell Fire Protection District and to increasing taxes to support the Tiskilwa Fire Department in creating an ambulance service.

Also in Bureau County, voters in the LaMoille School District overwhelmingly turned down issuing over $5 million in bonds for school construction.

Haage and Holmes hang onto Putnam County board seats

Are you happy with how things are going in Putnam County? Two incumbent county board members in Putnam County won their election.

Three Democratic candidates vied for two open seats and Sheila Haage and William Holmes held off newcomer Charles Oliveri.

Haage picked up 40 percent of the vote to Holmes’ 32 percent and Oliveri with the remaining 28 percent.

Olson, Donnelly and Miller among the winners in La Salle County

Matchups for three countywide elections in La Salle County are now set.

On the Democratic side, incumbent Circuit Clerk Jim Olson of Seneca defeated Nikki Baer of La Salle by winning 56 percent of the vote.  Olson now faces Republican challenger Greg Vaccaro of Peru who ran unopposed in the primary.

For state’s attorney, Karen Donnelly of Tonica easily defeated Betty Roliardi of Mendota by picking up roughly 71 percent of the vote.  Donnelly will face incumbent Democrat Brian Towne in November.

On the GOP ticket for county recorder, Karen Miller of Wallace Township defeated Dennis Corbin Jr. of Ottawa by getting 58 percent of the vote.  Miller will face Democrat Mary Kuhn-Feltman of Grand Ridge who ran unopposed.

Long defeats Bramel in Republican representative race

The union trucker from Streator will get another shot at Springfield.

Jerry Long defeated Jacob Bramel of Marseilles to win the Republican primary for the 76^th District State Representative Seat.  Long took 62 percent of the vote.  The district includes all or parts of La Salle, Putnam, Livingston and Bureau County.  Long won each county.

He now moves onto November to face Democratic incumbent Andy Skoog of La Salle who ran unopposed.

Spring Valley still dealing with clogged sewer pumps

When you flush, remember to not send things like wipes and medical gloves down the toilet.

According to the NewsTribune, sewer pumps in Spring Valley are still being clogged by people flushing things down the toilet they shouldn’t be. To fix the pumps, the city is forking out about $15,000. Council members think if they can find who is closing the pipes, they should foot the bill.

Public Works Superintendent Jeff Norton says it’s hard to pinpoint a particular house unless they use a camera. City Attorney Jim Andreoni says the city has an ordinance that could fine someone a thousand dollars for disorderly conduct.

IRS scam making the rounds in Ottawa

It’s still tax time meaning scammers are stepping up their game.

Nearly a dozen people called the Ottawa Police Department Monday to say they were got a phone call from a scammer claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. The scammer says the intended victim is under investigation for not making a payment to the IRS and will be arrested if they don’t pay the caller.

The IRS won’t call you out of the blue threatening you to make an immediate payment.

Members of the ’85 Bears part of entertainment lineup in Oglesby

This year’s Summer Fun Fest in Oglesby truly does have a little of everything in live music.

The entertainment starts July 7th with local favorite “Hairbangers Ball”. On Friday night, there are Beatles and Rolling Stones tribute bands. Saturday brings tribute shows for Bruce Springsteen, Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. Fun Fest wraps up Sunday with a Neil Diamond tribute and a performance by the Chicago 6 featuring Bear greats Steve McMichael, Dan Hampton and Otis Wilson.

Besides all the music, Oglesby Fun Fest also will again include a cruise-in, fireworks, carnival and big 50/50 drawing.

Attorney General’s office hoping for smooth election

If you come across some hijinx while voting today, don’t hesitate to tell someone.

Nearly 180 teams of attorneys and investigators from the attorney general’s office are fanning out today to monitor election sites. If you see something that isn’t right, call 1-866-559-6812.

Some things to remember include if you’re in line before 7 tonight, you should be allowed to vote. If you make a mistake on a ballot, you have the right to get a new one. Also no one should try to influence your vote within 100 feet of a polling place.