The La Salle County Spelling Bee will be 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at Ottawa Township High School's auditorium, 211 E. Main St., Ottawa. Contestants should arrive at 8:30 a.m.

The three judges will be Lloyd Chapman, John McGrath and Mary Margaret Nelson. Rick Koshko will be the pronouncer. Approximately 40 school winners will compete for a chance to advance to the grand finals in Peoria Friday, March 23.

The 46th annual spelling bee is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa, Peoria Journal Star, La Salle County Regional Superintendent's Office and La Salle County schools. Through a trust in honor of former local Kiwanian William Ieuter, winners will receive a cash prize: $150 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third.

Winners will also receive a CD-ROM of the World Book Encyclopedia for first, a globe for second and a dictionary or thesaurus for third. Each participant will receive a trophy and a school champion certificate.

"The spelling bee continues to maintain a high priority among the students, teachers and administrators in the La Salle County schools," said William Novotney, regional superintendent of schools.