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Soldier Memorial Brings Governor To Ottawa

A traveling memorial of soldiers killed in Iraq or Afghanistan is in Ottawa.

“The Portrait of a Soldier” exhibit was unveiled Saturday afternoon at Ottawa High School.  The exhibit features pencil sketches of over 250 Illinois soldiers that have been killed since 9-11.  Cameron Schilling of Mattoon started doing the portraits after a friend was killed in Iraq in 2004.

Governor Pat Quinn was at the memorial unveiling saying it’s important to never forget Illinoisans who’ve died serving their country.  The display is open to the public through next week at Ottawa High School.

La Salle County soldiers on the memorial include Corporal Daniel Castillo of Streator, Corporal Jonathan Beatty of Ottawa and Petty Officer Thomas Hull of Princeton.  Each soldier was killed in 2005.

The display has 15 different panels with more drawings pending.

Chemical Fire Near Wyanet

It was all hands on deck to battle a chemical fire west of Wyanet.

The initial fire call went out around six o’clock this morning for a blaze at Euclid Chemical which is on Route 40 just south of Interstate 80.  Fire departments from across Bureau County and elsewhere responded to the scene.  Firefighters set up a perimeter around the fire to keep it from spreading to a nearby grain bin.  They eventually made a decision to let the fire burn itself out.

Soon after the fire began, Route 40 was closed from the intersection of Route 6 north to I-80.  Also Bureau County emergency officials told everyone east of Route 40 to Princeton to take shelter and stay inside with windows closed until the fire is extinguished.

Reports came into AM 1220 WLPO throughout Saturday morning about barrels exploding at the plant which makes concrete and masonry admixtures.

Dozens Get High Priced Speeding Tickets

Getting busted for speeding in a construction zone isn’t cheap.  Over 150 drivers found this out last month in the Illinois Valley.

District 17 troopers were looking for speeders last month thru construction zones in La Salle County.  The special enforcement is called “Give ‘Em a Brake”.

A total of 220 tickets were issued during the special enforcement including 158 for speeding.  Tickets for speeding in a construction zone are a minimum of 375 dollars.

Troopers also handed out 212 written warnings.

Ottawa Police Looking Into Random Attack

Ottawa Police are investigating the random attack of a young girl.

Investigators learned Wednesday of an incident where a girl was approached from behind and shoved to the ground while playing in the drive way of her home on the north side of Ottawa.  The suspect fled when the girl yelled for help.  The only description of the suspect is that it was a male with a black shirt with skeletons on it.  Officers don’t think it was an attempted abduction.

Captain Brent Roalson says this serves as a reminder to parents that they should continue to speak with children about keeping open communication to assure their safety.

Jazzing It Up In La Salle

Weather won’t be a problem for Jazz’n the Street this year.  The annual jazz festival is today on First Street in La Salle.

The music begins at four with a performance by the Illinois Valley Community College Jazz band.  They’ll be followed by Professor John and Harmonious Wail.  The stage will be set up at First and Marquette.

You’ll also be able to try new wines and beers at the tasting tent which also opens at four.  Vendors will be selling food.

The festival wraps up at 10pm.  Admission is free.  Bring your lawn chairs.