Negotiating session scheduled for Friday at OHS
The teacher's union and school board at Ottawa High School are heading back to the negotiating table. They scheduled their next meeting for 2pm Friday.
The last time they met was Sunday. The teachers have been on strike since September 30. Health insurance has been one of the biggest areas of disagreement.
Water and Sewer Rates Go Up In Utica
Starting January 1st, water and sewer rates will go up in the village $3.70 a month for residential customers. Water rates go from $10.15 a month to $11.50 a month while sewer rates are going up from $7.90 a month to $10.25 a month. There's still a $5 monthly surcharge on bills. Trustees also raised the cost of hooking onto the village's sewer and water service by 50 dollars each.
The last time the village raised water and sewer rates were 2001. The tap-on fees were last raised in 2003.
Grand Ridge Man Killed In Crash
A 25 year old Grand Ridge man died from injuries he had in a weekend car crash.
Michael Klein was pronounced dead Sunday night at St. Francis Medical Center after being flown there Sunday morning. He was a passenger in a car that flipped several times on North 2053rd Road west of Grand Ridge. Klein was in the front passenger seat and wasn't wearing a seatbelt.
The driver, Robert Sharisky and backseat passengers Ashley Bell and Daniel Ricconi were all taken to area hospitals.
Wisconsin's Loss Is Ottawa's Gain
Kohl's is shutting down its distribution center in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and sending all of its business to Ottawa. That's a total of 84 more stores that Ottawa will be responsible for.
Kohls' is also offering 250 workers affected by the closure jobs at ten distribution centers including Ottawa. The closure takes effect in January.
Ottawa Chamber of Commerce members are going up to Wisconsin Friday to try and attract workers to their plant, according to chamber Executive Director Boyd Palmer.
Two indicted on meth related charges
Nearly a month after drug officers busted two homes they think were being used for making meth in La Salle, two men remain in jail.
Terry Kiefel and Owen Byrne of La Salle were indicted on meth related charges Tuesday by a La Salle County Grand Jury.
Both were arrested after members of TRIDENT searched homes on Fourth Street and Wright Street on September 18.
Byrne is already on parole for a meth related conviction. His bond has been set at $150,000.
Bond for Kiefel has been set at $70,000.
LCN cuts third shift, 47 jobs lost
More jobs are being lost at a major employer in Princeton. LCN says they're cutting their third shift, leaving 47 fulltime, hourly employees out of work.
The announcement yesterday came three months after the company told their workers they were laying off 44 employees in July.
Tom Herberg is the Princeton plant manager. He says business is strong, but they're not immune from the effects of the global economy.
The jobs will be cut by the middle of October. Those loosing their jobs will receive severance, outplacement and subsidized medical benefits.
OHS closed Wednesday and Thursday
Classes are canceled Wednesday and Thursday at Ottawa High School. Students haven't had a lesson since a teacher's strike started two weeks ago.
Though it's likely school would have been canceled anyhow as school officials and students mourn superintendent John Harrison. Visitation for Harrison is Wednesday with a funeral service Thursday. Harrison was found dead in his home Sunday.
As for the teacher's strike, the last time the teacher's union and school board met for negotiations was Sunday. The next negotiating session has yet to be announced.
More townships want forest preserve referendum
People in eight more La Salle County townships want to vote on disconnecting from a forest preserve district.
Petitions from Dayton, Eagle, La Salle, Mendota, Ophir, Ottawa, Otter Creek, and Troy Grove townships have been filed in La Salle County Circuit Court. The question to disconnect would show up on a February primary ballot if they're okayed at an October 26th court hearing.
26 other townships have already voted to disconnect from the forest preserve.
Last open house held for Oglesby comprehenisive plan
How Oglesby will grow has been outlined in an updated comprehensive plan, but before the plan can become official, there's an open house to get your opinions.
Anyone living in Oglesby or within the mile and a half planning area around the town can review the plan between 4pm and 6pm Thursday at City Hall.
It's the last chance to comment before a public hearing next Thursday, October 22. After the hearing, the plan commission will hold a special meeting to recommend it to the city council for approval.