Illinois Valley State Lawmaker Backs Bill to Fine Those Who Impersonate Veterans

A new bill in Springfield that would fine people who falsely portray themselves as veterans in order to make money is getting support from an Illinois Valley lawmaker.

Democratic State Representative Andy Skoog announced Friday that he supports the bill, which would fine people who impersonate vets up to $200. According to a statement released by Skoog, similar laws already exist for people who pretend to be public officials, and the same protection should be given to vets.

The 76^th District lawmaker says his support comes from the respect for the military that he got from watching his dad, who was a marine.

Ameren Announces First Phase of LaSalle Plant Cleanup Almost Complete

If you’ve driven along Canal Street in La Salle over the past few years, you’ve noticed Ameren has been hard at work. Now, they’re finally in the last stages of cleaning up some so called “environmental contaminates” from the manufactured gas plant that dated back 150 years.

According to Brian Martin, the project’s consulting environmental scientist, Ameren doesn’t even own the property they’ve been working to clean up. He says that while the land isn’t theirs, the coal tar and other contaminates that had polluted the area happened while the land belonged to a company that would eventually become Ameren, so they were responsible.

Ameren is now requesting a letter of “no further remediation,” which Martin says means the land is now up to Illinois Environmental Protection Agency standards. He says the only thing left to be finished in the area is the cleaning of some sediment in the I&M Canal.

Streator Company Planning to Lay Off 45 due to “Low Oil Prices”

In a move they’re saying will be temporary, a Streator company is planning layoffs starting next week.

Vactor Manufacturing says, starting next week, they will be laying off 45 of their nearly 575 employees. Sam Miceli, the company’s Senior Vice President, blames low oil prices for the “need to readjust our workforce.” Employees of the company retain their recall rights for up to two years.

According to a statement from the company, Vactor is not planning to discontinue any products, and the layoffs should not hurt their ability to meet consumer demand.

Call about Stabbing Sent LaSalle County Deputies to Sheridan

LaSalle County Deputies had to deal with a serious situation Saturday morning in Sheridan.

Shortly before 1:00, deputies got a call about a stabbing that had taken place at a camper in the Rolling Oaks Campground. According to police, they arrived to find Juan Gaytan of Ottawa with three wounds to his arm.

Shortly after that, police arrested 38-year old Kayla Baker from Grand Ridge. She was charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery and Interfering with Reporting of Domestic Battery.

Baker was taken to the LaSalle County Jail where she’ll await a bond hearing. Gaytan was treated and released at the scene by Sheridan EMS.

Convoy Against Cancer Big Truck Show

It’s time for the big trucks to roll into Ladd.

The annual “Convoy Against Cancer Big Truck Show” is happening Saturday on Main Street in Ladd.  All makes and models of new and restored big trucks, wreckers, pickups, cranes and even farm tractors will be on display.  The cost of registering your truck is a donation to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Money will also be raised with a 50/50, raffles, and bake sale.  The show’s organizer, Phil Hocking estimates the “Convoy Against Cancer” has raised over $40,000 in the last 13 years.

The big truck display runs from 10:00 until 3:00.  During the show, traffic on Route 89 in Ladd will be rerouted.