City and hospital share in cost of fixing sinkhole

Everyone runs into unexpected costs but $60,000 is a pretty big hit for Spring Valley.

According to the NewsTribune, the bill is from a manhole replacement project that caused a sinkhole in the south parking lot of St. Margaret’s Hospital. Some alderman questioned the expense since it took place on hospital property and because the hospital built their parking lot over a sewer riser that collapsed.

While the cost to the city is $60,000, St. Margaret’s part of the repairs is $160,000.

Across the board burn ban maintained despite vocal opposition

Despite a crowd in favor of burning, a motion to designate a weekend in April and October to burn yard waste, garden refuse and tall grasses died during a public health committee meeting in La Salle.

Alderman Jim Bacidore made the motion to amend the city’s no burn ban policy and wrote a letter to the editor urging supporters of burning to show up at Monday night’s meeting. A crowd of more than 20, mainly older men, became raucous at times whenever an alderman said they heard from mainly people in support of the burn ban or that there were alternatives to burning like bagging waste and leaves or using the city’s leaf vac trucks.

Bacidore argued that it was only two weekends a year and that some older people can’t afford to pay for bags and city stickers to get rid of waste. Boo Herndon was the only other member of the council in favor of burn weekends. He went as far as to suggest the idea up for a vote next year as part of an election referendum.

Head on crash in Spring Valley blamed on drunken driver

If you’ve been following the story of a head-on crash in Spring Valley, details of what happened and who was involved have been released.

Forty-two-year-old Holly Kinkin of Spring Valley was arrested last Thursday afternoon for DUI after witnesses say she crossed into a turning lane and hit 61-year-old Valerie Klimaszewski of DePue. The crash happened at the intersection of Route’s 89 and 29 in Spring Valley.

Kinkin who was driving a minivan was arrested for DUI and driving uninsured. Klimaszewski who was driving an SUV was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital along with her nine-year-old passenger from Peoria.

Kinkin was given a court date after being released from St. Margarets.

Go Fund Me account set up for struggling Streator schools

With the state providing no help and taxpayers saying no to raising taxes, there’s a new approach being taken to fund Streator Elementary schools.

Jan Urbance who is the co-president of the teacher’s union in the elementary district has started a “Go Fund Me” page called “Fighting to keep the doors open!” In her plea for help, Urbance says “we have made so many cuts that it is no longer about hoping the kids of Streator receive a solid education, but that they hopefully have a place to go to school a month from now.”

Urbance says if they can raise $125,000, her union would among other things continue sports programs and clubs and rehire a physical education teacher who has been cut. To make a donation, click Streator Elementary Go Fund Me

Mendota Police looking to hand out rewards instead of tickets

Getting pulled over or approached by a police officer in Mendota isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

For the third year in a row, the Mendota P.D. will bring back the “Doing the Right thing Program.” If a police officer sees you obeying a law or an act of kindness, they may approach you and give you goodies instead of tickets. Prizes have included restaurant coupons and passes to the Mendota swimming pool.

If you’re business wants to be part of the unique rewards program, call the Mendota PD at 539-9331.

Girls Scouts partner with library to help the homeless

There are more reasons to love the Girl Scouts other than delicious cookies.

The scout pack based in Marseilles is now collecting toys, books and clothes on behalf of the Illinois Valley PADS shelter and the Salvation Army. They’ve set up drop-off boxes for donations at the Marseilles Public Library.

Some of the donations n the shelter’s “wish list” include cleaning supplies, aspirin, cereal, and baby food.

Firefighters step up for childhood cancer research

A friendly competition never hurt anyone.

Firefighters in the Illinois Valley are challenging each other to raise the most money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Over 30 shavees have signed up for the annual fundraiser this Sunday starting at 1 inside Senica’s Oak Ridge in La Salle.

Firefighters from Utica, La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Ladd have signed up to get a haircut for childhood cancer research. The fundraising goal is $15,000.

If you want to donate to the cause, click Firefighter St. Baldricks