The last of the seven submerged barges that struck the Marseilles Dam during April’s flood has been removed. The United Command says salvage operators safely removed the last partially submerged barge, which completes the salvage operations. Five of the gates at the Marseilles Dam were damaged, and two were rendered inoperable when seven barges struck the dam during the April 18th flood. The Army Corps of Engineers say they now plan to complete an assessment of the dam and to begin temporary repairs of the two inoperable gates.
Charges and Bond for Streator Man
Bond has been set for a Streator man who is accused of stabbing two people over the weekend. 69-year old William Reed was charged Monday afternoon with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and his bond was set at $500,000. Reed was arrested Friday night after he allegedly stabbed 32-year old Angela Peck and 50-year old Jerry Pitte at the Pines Motel north of Streator. Officials at Saint Francis Hospital in Peoria say both victims were treated and released. Reed remains in the La Salle County Jail.
Marseilles Stabbing
A Marseilles man is in the La Salle County Jail following a stabbing on Saturday. According to the Marseilles Police Department, 25-year old Justin Seibert allegedly stabbed a 27-year old male in the 700-block of Colorado Street. Authorities say the 27-year old victim had multiple stab wounds and was taken to Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Ottawa. Seibert was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and his bond was set at $30,000.
Concealed Carry Extension
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan more time to decide on an appeal over the carrying of concealed weapons. A Madigan spokeswoman say the court decided yesterday to extend the deadline to July 22nd. Meanwhile, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is urging Governor Pat Quinn to sign the concealed carry legislation.
Local Tattoo Artist Gets Spot on Reality Show
A local tattoo artist from Dekalb will be a part of of the reality show Ink Masters next month. Chris May, Owner of Proton Tattoo in Dekalb says he came across an open casting call a few months ago for season three of Ink Master. May says that after auditioning he did not hear anything for a few months, then he got a call out of the blue, and immediately said yes. According to May, Ink Master’s is definitely not as easy as they make it look on TV. May says that even though he has been tattooing for 17 years, it was a ton of long days filled with lots of filming that really pushed him past his limits. As for now May gets to relax, until the live season finale in October.
SESD Fundraising for Sports / Extracurriculars
The Walt Wiley Comedy Show over the weekend in Streator did not meet expectations according to officials. At Tuesday's Streator Elementary School Board meeting, board president Dave "Moose" Conner says the show was a "failure" as it only raised $300. The show was to help raise money for the district to get sports and extracurricular activities back in the schools. The board tabled the request for the approval of the fundraising and pledge statement through a unanimous vote. Conner says the booster club needs to raise just under $29,000 to bring back sports such as baseball, softball, and volleyball.
Food Assistance For the Flooded Homes
Area Residents affected by April’s flood could receive food assistance from the state. Governor Pat Quinn announced that the Illinois Department of Human Services is offering immediate food assistance in 33 counties including LaSalle, Grundy and Dekalb. Residents can apply to the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program through June 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m at any of the Family Community Resource Centers in Princeton, Ottawa and Sycamore. The IDHS says SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food but not for alcoholic drinks, tobacco products or non-food products. Benefits must be used within 90 days.
Peru Library Receives Back to Books Grant
The Peru Public Library is going to receive a Back to Books grant from the Illinois State Library. According to Charm Ruhnke, from the Peru Public Library, they received a total of $3,000 to use towards large print books. After waiting almost a month to receive the grant, Ruhnke says that they picked out 125 different large print books. All of the large print books are in 16 point font to help adults with vision problems and to make extra copies of popular books available. Ruhnke says that so far patrons have given very positive feedback on the new large print books, and appreciate the new display used to advertise them.
Woodland Parking Lot Update
Despite some minor changes and early setbacks, the parking lot project at Woodland School is on pace to be finished before the beginning of 2013-2014 school year. At Monday night’s meeting, board member Krista Turner addressed the issue of early change orders cutting into the budget of the $900,000 project. After a long discussion, Superintendent Dr. Steve Endress, the board and Facilities Director Mike Hoekstra decided that both Endress and Hoekstra would provide daily updates of the project to the board. Endress says contractors are currently putting in the drainage system and could be pouring concrete by the end of the week.
Chicago Schools Closing Hearing
A federal judge has determined that a key hearing next month over the closing of some Chicago public schools won't be delayed. The judge told all parties yesterday to be ready for the July 16th hearing that could halt the closings. The Chicago Board of Education recently voted to close 50 schools and programs.
