Alleged probation violation has sex offender returned to jail

A registered sex offender in Ottawa is accused of violating probation.

19 year old Cody Duchala was arrested Thursday on a warrant.  Investigators claim he was having sex with a girl under the age of 17.  Duchala was on probation for an aggravated criminal sexual abuse conviction earlier this year.

His bond was set at $75,000.

Swearing-in ceremony for new judge scheduled for Monday

The newest judge to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit will be sworn in Monday morning.

Former La Salle County Assistant States Attorney Michael Jansz will replace the retiring Associate Judge James Brusatte.  A swearing-in ceremony is at 9:30am Monday at the downtown courthouse.

Leaf vac programs begin Monday in La Salle and Peru

The leaves are falling and it may have you raking.  In Peru, you can rake your leaves to the curb to be picked up by the leaf vac.  The leaf vac will begin coming around Monday following the same route and schedule as last year.  Remember to have your car out of the way if you want the leaf vac to stop by.

La Salle will also be using their leaf vac.  It will be in the first ward on Mondays, the second ward on Tuesdays, the third ward on Wednesdays and the fourth ward on Thursday days.

Brady leads Quinn in new governor poll

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A new poll shows Republican Bill Brady leading in the race for Illinois governor.

Brady was favored by 38.4% of respondents, compared to 29.8% for Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn. That lead of 8.6 points is well outside the poll’s margin of error of 3.5 points.

The poll found independent Scott Lee Cohen at 5.9% and Green Party candidate Rich Whitney at 2.2%.

The telephone poll was conducted Sept. 30 to Oct. 10 for Southern Illinois University’s Paul Simon Institute.

Other recent polls have shown a tighter race for governor.

Informational meeting about Peru pool plans tonight

What will a new Peru Swimming Pool include?  That’s what they’ll be talking about during an informational meeting tonight at city hall.  A group is meeting with an architect to look over plans that will be submitted with a grant application.

The informational meeting is at6pm.  The recreation committee is scheduled to meet at 6:30pm.  Both are open to everyone.

Man Found Dead In Ladd Alley

A dead body found Saturday morning in Ladd has been identified.

Investigators say 48 year old Tyler Jackson of Ladd was found dead just after two o’clock Saturday morning in an alley behind La Salle Avenue.  He apparently was walking home when he stumbled and fell, hitting his head on the concrete.  He tried getting up again and fell.

An autopsy is scheduled today.  No foul play is suspected.

Funeral services for Tyler Jackson can be heard on AM 1220 WLPO during In Memoriam.

Goodwill Opening Doors In Ottawa

Ottawa’s newest business will have a grand opening celebration Thursday.

Goodwill Industries staff will be joined by city officials as the new Goodwill store opens Thursday morning at 9.  The 17 thousand square foot building is on West Stevenson Road across from Wal-Mart.  The store includes a large community room and a drive-thru donation area.

Goodwill plans to employ over 40 people.

Less Traffic Madness Outside One Area School

Spring Valley Police Chief Kevin Sangston says traffic outside Lincoln School is improving after his department and schools officials made some changes.

The school is changing the order in which students are released, allowing those who walk home to leave first.  The school’s also added a worker to help kids get to their awaiting car.

Sangston says his department has changed its routine.  They now have an officer in the Lincoln School neighborhood each day to enforce “no parking” signs.

A neighbor of the school complained to the Spring Valley City Council last month that parents were parking illegally after school, sometimes blocking drive-ways and garages.

Thanks to the News Tribune for information in this story.

New Ballfield Debuting In Leland

Efforts of a teenager from Leland will pay off this Sunday.

Dedication of a new baseball field in Leland happens at 2.  As part of an Eagle Scout project, Darren Riskedal applied for and received a 50 thousand dollar grant from Pepsi to rebuild the ball field after getting enough online votes.  After winning the grant, Riskedal and over 80 volunteers moved soil, laid drainage tile, built buildings and fences, poured concrete and installed utilities at the field earlier this year.

Volunteers will have the chance to play a few innings Sunday on the field with Leland pony and high school teams.  Refreshments will also be available.