Fines Suggested For La Salle County Nursing Home

The Illinois Department of Public Health this week recommended that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fine La Salle County 20 thousand dollars plus 100 dollars a day for health and life safety deficiencies.

Health department spokeswoman Melaney Arnold says the feds haven’t decided yet on the state’s recommendation although they usually agree with it. Arnold says the state department of public health is still deciding whether or not they’ll also fine the nursing home.

The state says there was no intervention and inconsistent documentation by county nursing home officials after over a dozen reports of sexual abuse towards dementia patients were made. One male resident at the home allegedly would touch women’s breasts, make others kiss him and use vulgar language. The alleged incidents happened between January and May of this year.

Hall High School site of 09 Bureau County Relay

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to grab an umbrella if you plan on heading to the Bureau County Relay for Life.
The annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society returns to Hall High School Friday night.
It opens at 5pm with a survivor dinner. The open ceremony is at 6:30 followed at 7 with the survivor and caregiver lap.
Other events include the luminaria ceremony at 9, an overnight performance by local rock group Undermine, and games for kids.
The relay wraps up Saturday morning.

Indictment for man accused of supplying drugs to La Salle and Bureau Counties

A man from Streator who drug officers think was pumping out over 40 pounds of marijuana a week has been indicted for the second time in a couple weeks.
Ronald Barnes Jr. was indicted this week on an additional count of unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver. He was already in jail for the same charge.
Barnes was arrested at his home in Streator last month after police say they found a duffel bag with 15 pounds of pot and a safe with $30,000.
Investigators think Barnes had drug runners supplying marijuana to dealers in Streator, Ottawa and Oglesby. These people would then supply all over La Salle County and into Bureau County.
Bond for Barnes is $75,000.

Farmer’s Market open in Oglesby today

More than a dozen stands are expected to be selling produce and baked goods during the farmer’s market in Oglesby today.
The market opens at 4pm. It’s in the parking lot at Dale and Walnut Streets.

PADS in Ottawa adding beds

In what is probably a sign of the times, the Ottawa PADS shelter needs more space for beds.
The Ottawa City Council Tuesday night put on a file a renewal of a 5-year lease agreement for the PADS building on Canal Street. The city charges the shelter $10 a year rent.
As part of the new lease, the city is opening up more space in the building so PADS can put in about a half dozen more beds and a family room.