Signature Chef’s Auction raises thousands for March of Dimes

17 restaurants and over 500 people were in one place dinning and raising money so that babies born premature will have a chance at growing.  The 9^th Annual Signature Chef’s Auction was Thursday night at Celebrations 150.

105 thousand dollars is the preliminary number of what was raised last night for the March of Dimes.   A live auction and a heads and tails game brought in an estimated $41,000. 

Miller Group Charitable Trust was the presenting sponsor of the auction.  Miller Group Media includes WLPO/WAJK/WKOT RADIO and the NewsTribune and AgriNews.

Another Person Arrested For Drive-By Shootings

19 year old David Payton was arrested during a traffic stop yesterday in Ottawa on a warrant for unlawful discharge of a firearm.  He’s charged along with 20 year old Troy Janes and a 15 year old from with firing shots at two different homes on Sunday in Ottawa. 

The investigation started Sunday morning when officers say a house in the 500 block of West Washington Street was hit by gunfire.  Later on that night, more gunfire reports at a house in the 1500 block of West Madison Street.  In both cases, no one inside the homes was hurt.

Investigators think the shootings had something to do with “girlfriend issues”.

Thousands of Veterans Coming To Utica

If you plan on taking in Sunday’s Veteran’s Day Parade in Utica, get there early.

Over 2,000 veterans are expected to take part in the 3^rd annual parade starting at the village hall at one.  The parade which also includes well over 100 military units, several bands and three different fly-overs will wind its way to Danny Carey Memorial Park for a wreath laying ceremony.      

One well-known veteran will be in Utica and that’s former Illinois Veteran’s Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.  She’ll fly in on a Blackhawk helicopter and be the ceremony’s featured speaker.

New Memorial In Marseilles

There’s another memorial going up in Marseilles to honor soldiers killed in combat.

Across the river from the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall are 250 oak trees that have planted in memory of every Illinois soldier who has died since the September 11^th attacks.  Steve Massey of Streator came up with the idea and with the help of dozens of volunteers, planted the trees in Illini State Park last month.  An official dedication is Tuesday at 1:30.

The trees are four to six feet tall and are near the lock and dam.  A concrete memorial and plaque accompany the newly planted trees.

More Area Swine Flu Vaccine Clinics

Three more swine flu vaccine clinics are scheduled in La Salle County.

Depending on vaccine availability, clinics are planned for November 12^th at the Ottawa Knights of Columbus, November 17^th at Streator Knights of Columbus and November 19^th at Mendota Civic Center.  All clinics go from two until seven. 

The clinics are walk-in with no appointment needed.  The vaccines will still be given to only people considered to be in the “high risk groups”.

DePue Man Sentenced For Hurting Child

20 year old Lyle Behm of Depue pled guilty to a class X felony charge of battery and was sentenced by Judge Cynthia Raccuglia to nine years in prison.  After the prison time, he’ll have four years of mandatory supervised released. 

Behm pled guilty to hitting a 16-month old boy several times in the groin area while watching him in La Salle back in mid-July.  The boy was taken to the hospital.  He was arrested in August.

Animal Exhibit In Utica Has PETA Upset

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA are coming after Grand Bear Lodge in Utica.

The group has sent a letter to the ownership of Grand Bear asking them to “dump” all exotic-animal acts.  PETA Director Debbie Leahy says “Grizzly Jack’s goes from one cruel exhibitor to another with little regard for animal welfare or public safety”.  The lodge faces a lawsuit after a 2-year old girl was attacked by a hybrid wolf in April.  The wolf was part of an exhibit.

PETA officials say one of the animal exhibit groups working with the lodge, Brown’s Oakridge Zoo, has an abysmal history of violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

A message was left with the assistant general manager of Grand Bear.