Mackowiak Back In Court

By time accused murderer Keith Mackowiak of Seneca heads to trial, the death penalty could be banned in Illinois.

Mackowiak was in La Salle County Court Friday morning and again left without a court date.  His lawyers have filed various motions including one that says the death penalty is unconstitutional.  Mackowiak faces the death penalty if convicted of the July 2007 killings of Al and Katherine Twardowski of Seneca.  Governor Quinn though may sign a bill banning the death penalty at any time.

Mackowiak’s next court appearance is March 11^th.

Area Chamber Director Lashes Out At Income Tax Increase

One area business leader is lashing out at the income tax increase.

Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Boyd Palmer calls Wednesday a “sad day of affairs for individuals and businesses in the State of Illinois”.  Palmer says he doesn’t envy the position legislative leaders are in but the new tax rates, anti-employer worker compensation laws and excessive regulations make Illinois one of the worst places to do business.

Palmer says he’s confident Ottawa’s business community will still thrive but their job is made harder thanks to the General Assembly.

Teens charged with cannabis trafficking

Police say they found way more than a baggy of weed during a stop on Route 251.  Two teens from the state of Washington are accused of having 35 pounds of marijuana.

Police say they found the drugs during a traffic stop Thursday night in Peru.

19 year old Emanuel Pantaleon and a 17 year boy have been charged with cannabis trafficking.  The 17 year old is being treated as an adult though his name was not released.  They were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Streator woman accused of selling cocaine

Selling cocaine to undercover investigators is what police say a woman in Streator was doing.

Members of TRIDENT arrested Debra Rodriguez Wednesday on a warrant for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.

Police say she has sold cocaine during a number of occasions.  While her home was searched, police say they found cocaine, earning her a second drug-related charge.

Rodriguez was being held in the La Salle County Jail with her bond set at $75,000.

More people offering to substitute teach in La Salle County

If you want to be a substitute teacher in La Salle County, get in line.

While giving his yearly report, Regional Office of Education Superintendent Rich Myers says they currently have 700 people in substitute teacher pool for La Salle County.  Normally, Myers says the list is anywhere from 250 to 300 subs.  He blames the economy and job losses for the long list of subs.

During the 2009-2010 school year, Myers’ office processed 146 substitute teaching certificates.