Streator student wins money for classroom

A Streator Northlawn 5^th grader’s artwork has earned $100 for his classroom. Anthony Gullens submitted artwork to a contest sponsored by Illinois American Water Company. 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders in the company’s service area were invited to submit art work on the theme “Imagine a Day Without Water”.

15 other central Illinois students won $100 prizes for their classrooms.  Winning artwork can be seen on the Illinois American Water Company Facebook page.

Grand Bear Lodge will operate while for sale

Though it is officially for sale, Grand Bear Lodge at Utica will stay open while a search for new owners begins.  The News Tribune says managing general partner Joe Hook and partners Keith and Sue Wolick have ceded control because they no longer have the money to put into the facility. Hook believes the resort can still succeed with a new owner and capital.

Hook and both Wolicks say it is staying open to provide stability and peace of mind to its employees.  A lender driven effort to turn over operations is underway. Signs of money problems at Grand Bear came to light in 2011 and 2014. Utica Mayor Matt Jereb also expressed confidence in the future of the lodge directly across from Starved Rock State Park.

Ottawa Woman Busted for Alleged “Look-A-Like” Drug Sale

An Ottawa woman who thought she was getting the best of a drug deal was actually getting busted.

LaSalle County Deputies arrested 23-year old Miranda Persinger Tuesday afternoon. She was taken in on a warrant for delivery of a so-called “look-a-like” substance.”

That delivery earned Persinger a trip to the LaSalle County Jail. She’s currently being held on $25,000 bond.

Former L-P Coach Due Back in Court Friday in Alleged Sex Crime Case

A former substitute teacher and coach at L-P High School is due back in court this week in his alleged sex crime case.

Twenty-four-year-old Kyle Pisano is due back in an Ottawa courtroom Friday for a status hearing. Pisano is charged with felony criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.  He was arrested earlier this year for allegedly having sexual relations with an underage student.

Pisano posted $7,500 bond and is out of custody.  He was able to post bond shortly after his arrest back in May.

Illinois Valley Gamblers’ Spending Steady in September

Video gaming machine use in the Illinois Valley was steady last month when compared to September.

Ottawa still holds the title for most money put into machines, with more than $1.7 million played. Streator had a slight decrease in activity with a little more than $1.5 million.

In Peru gamblers played close to $1.5 million while La Salle topped the million-dollar mark as well. Across those four cities, gamers lost $1.43 million dollars last month, which was close to the amount lost in September.

Over in Bureau County, Princeton actually saw a drop in gaming for the second straight month. About $740,000 was played there in October which was down from the almost $760,000 the month before.

IVCC classes displaced due to water issue

If you see water pooling where it should not, that’s a hint you’ve got a problem.  Illinois Valley Community College had that problem Tuesday night when a pipe broke in the lower level of Building E.

Spokesperson Fran Brolley said a contractor came in to make repairs and the maintenance staff worked late into the night to clean up the lower portions of Building D and E.  However, students in Graphic Design Technology, Emergency Medical Services and Forensics will be meeting elsewhere on the campus for at least 2 weeks.

Ottawa Upgrades Equipment, Keeps Buses Running

The City of Ottawa is continuing to modernize some of their emergency equipment.

At last night’s city council meeting, they voted to spend more than $11,000 on a 2016 Ford Fusion. To help cover the cost of the new undercover police vehicle, the department will also be trading in their current, 2005 Chrysler.

Then the council voted to spend more than $16,000 on 3 portable and 1 mobile radio for the Ottawa Fire Department. According to Commissioner Tom Ganiere, the radios will be paid for via a grant from the Illinois Program for Radiological Excellence. He says the grant will provide all the money for the radios. The city is eligible for the grant because of its proximity to the Exelon nuclear plant in Marseilles.

The council also approved a one-time, $25,000 donation to the North Central Area Transit System. NCAT has faced funding difficulties as a result of the state budget impasse which is currently in its 16^th month.

Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut says he’s hoping the state will release the money it owes next month. He also said NCAT has provided 31,000 rides in the last fiscal year.