Coroner’s Jury Rules That Area Woman’s Death Was Homicide

A husband in Varna could face charges for leaving his wife laying in her own urine and feces just before she died last summer.

A Peoria County Coroner’s Jury ruled Thursday that 73-year old Ann Repholz’s death was due to homicide.  Peoria County Coroner Joanna Ingersoll says alcoholism damaged Repholz’s organs but a significant contributing factor was her husband John’s neglect in letting her lay in her own urine and feces for two days before she was taken to a Peoria hospital.  She died July 19^th of last year, four days after being found lying in the hallway of her Varna house.

Ingersoll plans to forward her reports to the Marshall County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Ottawa Woman Arrested For Dealing Crack Cocaine

A man and woman accused of dealing crack cocaine were arrested Wednesday near Utica.

According to TRIDENT, they developed information that Whitney Westbrook of Ottawa and Ricardo Hebron of Chicago were coming back to La Salle County after picking up crack cocaine.  Once they’re car was searched, investigators say they found 12 grams of crack cocaine.

Westbrook and Hebron were arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony.  Both were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Peru Woman Off To Prison For Hitting Construction Worker

A woman from Peru is headed to prison after hitting a construction worker near Piety Hill.

55 year old Delores Henry pled guilty in late July to DUI of drugs and was sentenced Thursday to 4 ½ years in prison.  She admits to driving with marijuana in her system on April 2008 when she hit a flagger working on 351. The flagger, Eliseo Escatel of Peru was treated and released from Illinois Valley Community Hospital.

At the time of the crash, Henry was driving with a suspended license and had a previous criminal record.

Archery hunting permits available in La Salle County

Deer hunting season is approaching.  You can get a Catlin Park- La Salle County Archery Permit from the county clerk’s office.

You’ll need a valid hunting or combination license, a current habitat stamp and if you were born after 1980, a Hunter’s Safety card number.

You can get a permit by visiting the office in Ottawa or online at www.lasallecounty.org.

Felony cannabis charge leaves California man in La Salle County Jail

A man from sunny San Diego now has to get used to the walls of the La Salle County Jail.

William Day was indicted this week for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.  Day was arrested by state police after being pulled over on Interstate 80 near Ottawa.  Troopers say Day had in nearly five pounds of marijuana in his trunk.

He’s being held on $100,000 bond.

Living history performance planned for a Princeton cemetery

History comes to life in an unusual setting Sunday in Princeton.  Oakland Speaks involves re-enactors portraying well known people from Princeton’s past who are buried in Oakland Cemetery.

Sarah Cooper with the Bureau County Historical Society says this year’s format is slightly different from past years.

You’ll be able to hear the stories of Rolla Russell, a former Princeton Mayor and judge and T.P. Gunning, a former Princeton mayor and state lawmaker.

Performances are Sunday at 10:30am, noon, 1:30pm, and 3pm.  You should arrive at least 30 minutes early.  Tickets will be on sale across the street from the cemetery at the Bureau County Metro Center.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for people 18 years old and younger.

Wine festival returns to Matthiessen Park

Billed as the largest of its kind in Illinois, the 8^th Annual Vintage Illinois Wine Festival is quickly approaching.

The festival runs from 11am until 6pm Saturday and noon until 5pm Sunday at Matthiessen Park.  25 wineries will take part in the wine tasting event.  There’s also live music both days.

Entry to the wine festival is $15.  Because of the expected large crowds, no pets are allowed.

The festival is co-sponsored by the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintner’s Association and Starved Rock Lodge.

Many volunteering for Labor of Love

There won’t be a shortage of laborers for the Labor of Love projects taking place Saturday.  Volunteers will be making repairs to 14 area homes, helping the homeowners get ready for winter.  They’ll be checking furnaces and adding weather stripping to doors and windows along with some  safety projects.

Andrea Walters is the Executive Director of the Illinois Valley United Way.  She says it’s led by volunteers.

Some of the materials are donated and many of the volunteers bring their own tools.

Walters says the majority of the people they help of are low-income seniors.

She says they have more than enough volunteers this year but could always use people to help next September.