Nov. 4th H1N1 Clinic for Medically Fragile

   25-hundred doses will be available for Monday’s H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccine clinic at IVCC from 3-7pm. Huge crowds are expected that could prevent medically fragile people in need of the vaccine from attending.

   La Salle County Health Department will be hosting another H1N1 flu vaccine clinic in Ottawa on wednesday, November 4th for the medically fragile by appointment only. People ellegible for appointments include those undergoing chemo therapy, those with chronic illness, or those with other medical conditions that may be aggrivated by large crowds.

   To set up an appointment, the number to call for the La Salle County Health Department is 815.433.3366. If you would like to call over the weekend and leave a message, call and select Option 8.

Domestic battery charge after child bruised

A man accused of leaving a young kid with a bruise has been arrested.  Joseph McDonald of La Salle was arrested Friday for domestic battery.  Police say he spanked a three-year-old, causing a bruise.  McDonald was taken to the La Salle County Jail to await a bond hearing.

Foursome Arrested For Drugs In Spring Valley

Four people were rounded up in Spring Valley yesterday by area drug officials. 

Matthew Persich, Dana Laughery, Nicole McNair and Beau Rambaud were all arrested for selling drugs in Spring Valley.  The arrests centered on heroin and marijuana sales.  TRIDENT officials say they found drugs and drug paraphernalia when making the arrests. 

Investigators say more arrests are pending.  Laughery, McNair and Rambaud were all taken to the Bureau County Jail.  Persich was being held is at the La Salle County Jail on a driving offense.

Copper wire and truck stolen from power company

It’s not uncommon to hear stories about people stealing copper wire, but an Ameren IP truck? 

          Whoever broke into the Ameren IP property on Raccuglia Drive in La Salle early yesterday morning made off with a large amount of copper wire and a white 2007 Ford F150 truck complete with Indiana plates and a toolbox.  The truck should standout because it features the Ameren logo.

          If you have any information, call Illinois Valley Crimestoppers.

Cherry Mine exhibit opens in Springfield

          An exhibit commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the Cherry Mine Disaster opens Sunday in Springfield.

          “The Flames Caught Us” is an exhibit that documents the disaster which killed 259 miners plus rescuers.  The exhibit is at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. 

          Dave Blanchette with the Illinois State Historical Society says they had great response from relatives of the miners who provided a lot of the things in the exhibit.

          Blanchette says the exhibit will take you up close and personal with the miners.

          The Cherry Mine exhibit runs through March 31^st.

Swine flu clinic moved to IVCC

When the La Salle County Public Health Department starts giving swine flu vaccines Monday, they’re expecting a big turnout.  So big, they’ve decided to hold the swine flu clinic at Illinois Valley Community College, rather than in Ottawa. 

          25 hundred doses will be available.  Only people included in the high-priority groups can receive the vaccine.  Pregnant women should check with their doctors to see if the vaccine is available through their doctor.

          The clinic at IVCC will be Monday from three until seven.  Dress for the weather because you may have to wait outside.

          Another clinic will be held later for people not considered at high-risk for swine flu.

          Jenny Barrie with the health department says yesterday’s clinic for seasonal flu vaccines used up their entire supply of vaccine for season flu.

Health Department Runs Out Of Vaccine

The La Salle County Public Health Department has run out of it’s share of the seasonal flu vaccine.

Jenny Barrie with the health department says yesterday’s clinic used up their entire supply.  Nearly 950 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine was dished out yesterday at the health department office in Ottawa.  Barrie says they had to close the clinic about a half hour early after running out of the vaccine. 

The health department will dish out swine flu vaccine at a public clinic on Monday from 3 until 7.  They also have a limited supply of this vaccine so only people considered in “high-priority groups” will receive the vaccine. 

No Backdoor Referendum In Peru

An attempt to lessen the impact of a library tax levy increase in Peru has fallen short.      

Yesterday was the last day to turn in petitions to have a referendum on the February ballot allowing the abatement of the working cash portion of the levy, reducing it by 112 thousand dollars.

The levy is going up do to a demand by the library board to the city council.  The council and city attorney feel legally, they must comply with the library board’s request.  It’s estimated the increase will drive up the property taxes on a home worth 150 thousand dollars to 85 dollars for just the library portion of the tax bill.   

Those against the levy needed 688 signatures, but City Clerk Dave Bartley says 412 were collected.

Lawsuit Filed Against County Nursing Home

The son of a La Salle County Nursing Home resident has filed a lawsuit against the home dealing with alleged molestations by a man living at the home in Ottawa. 

Henry Elzer filed the lawsuit Monday claiming his mom suffered a fractured pelvic bone from a run-in with the alleged sexual abuser.  The suit blames nursing home employees for allowing the incident to happen.  The lawsuit also claims nursing home officials either dropped Elzer’s mom or caused her to fall a few years ago, leaving her with an ankle injury.

The county nursing home already faces state and federal fines dealing with reports of sex abuse carried out by a male resident against women at the nursing home.  The administration at the nursing home has been replaced.

Mine Disaster Anniversary Approaching

Plans are in place to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Cherry Mine Disaster.

State and national labor leaders and politicians will be among those speaking Saturday, November 14^th during the anniversary ceremony.  The day will start with riding tours of the mine site and Miner’s Memorial Cemetery at nine o’clock.  At noon, speakers, dignitaries and the Chicago Fire Department Color Guard will meet at Holy Trinity Hall in Cherry before marching to the new monument site and doing a dedication at one o’clock. 

After the dedication, 259 balloons will be launched in memory of the boys and men who died in the Cherry Mine Disaster.