Regional Digest for Feb. 9, 2008:

Wind power group to hold meetings

ODELL - PPM Energy, a wind power provider from Portland Ore., will conduct a series of informational meetings in Livingston County during the last week of February.

The meetings are at 7 p.m. and are Feb 26 at Odell Grade School, Feb. 27 at Dwight Township High School and Feb. 28 at Pontiac Township High School.

PPM Energy plans to construct as many as 450 turbines across 46,000 acres in its Streator-Cayuga Ridge wind farm project.

Photos, stories sought for book

UTICA - Photos, other memorabilia and stories are being sought by a LaSalle County Historical Society committee putting together a book on one-room schoolhouses.

The project led by Lucille Werner of Streator, who can be reached at (815) 673-1027 or (815) 667-4861. At one time the county had more than 300 one-room schoolhouses and their history will be detailed in all 37 townships, said Werner.

City to buy new warning sirens

WENONA - The City Council has decided to use tax increment finance district funds to pay off a state bill and buy emergency sirens.

The $36,400 bill from the Illinois Department of Transportation is the final payment for sewer and road work from several years ago, though the bill was just recently received. More than $10,000 was paid initially as the city's share of the work.

The council also ended a years-long debate on warning sirens and towers by buying two for up to $18,000 total.

TIF money is property tax money that can be directed to projects within the district.