TON-11-13-2015

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1 Front Volume 141 No. 49

Friday, November 13, 2015

Single Copy Cost 50¢

The State of the Counties

County leaders share common successes and challenges By Dave Cook

news@tonicanews.com

PERU — At the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development seminar dubbed the “State of the Counties,” held Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Mario’s Maples restaurant in Peru, area leaders from LaSalle and Putnam counties came together to share their successes and common struggles with members of local government, business and education. No spokesperson from

Bureau County attended; instead the county sent a short brief. LaSalle County Board Chairman Jerry L. Hicks began by describing the abilities of the county’s new financial system and the help it’s providing. He also spoke of the upgrades to their historic courthouse and how the county’s water survey, being conducted by the federal government, is still in progress. Hicks then announced LaSalle County has made a three-year commitment,

at $58,000 a year, to the Economic Development Corporation of North Central Illinois and spoke of the benefits of a unified effort to bring economic expansion to the region. “It’s made great strides recently in getting us public and private sector commitments,” said Hicks. Hicks also shared the success of the county’s self-funded insurance trust. “By going to a self-funded insurance trust the county saved, over a 10-year period, approx-

imately $500,000 a year, close to $5 million. That’s been very successful,” Hicks said. The budget impasse in Illinois was also mentioned. When asked about its impact on LaSalle County, Hicks shared a common frustration. “It seems like every time we turn around there’s some legislation made, and we end up being collateral damage. We’re going to keep trucking along, and hopefully in

Counties Page 2

Tonica News photo/Dave Cook

LaSalle County Board Chairman Jerry L. Hicks

A tribute to all area veterans

The Tonica News hopes all area veterans had a wonderful Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11. We at your hometown newspaper appreciate all veterans and the sacrifices they have made. We respect and honor you for your commitment to serve. On behalf of the Tonica News, we appreciate you and thank you for your service. Tonica News photo/Terri Simon

Ring ... ring ... ring ...

Seeing ... purple?

Problems with Lostant’s fax/phone service

Discolored water is safe to drink

By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — The village of Lostant is experiencing issues with its fax and phone setup. At the village board meeting, Monday, Nov. 9, board member Dave Mertes brought up an issue with the village communication system. “A lot of faxes come in up here, so the

Vol. 141 No. 49 One Section - 20 Pages

© The Tonica News

fax machine is generally always on; but we can’t always get calls,” Mertes said. “I got a lot of purple water calls today,” Mayor Fred Hartenbower said, referencing a separate issue. Mertes further explained the situation. “The fax machine’s picking up their calls. They never get to leave a message.” “People still send faxes?” board mem-

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By Zachary J. Pratt news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — Lostant residents have expressed concerns over their water going purple. Lostant resident Tony Allison brought the issue before the village board at its meeting, Monday, Nov. 9. “I have pink or purple water,” Allison said. “It’s been since Friday we’ve had pink or purple water.

“It was a light purple, a light pink, but regardless it wasn’t normal,” he said. Allison brought in a piece of clothing to show the effect this water has had on his laundry. “He says it’s an oxidizing agent,” Allison said concerning questions asked previously. The issue has let up to an extent. “It’s

Purple Page 2

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