New circuit judge sworn-in

The newest La Salle County Circuit Judge was sworn-in Monday morning.  A swearing-in ceremony was at 9:30am for Richard Lannon, Junior.  It was held at the downtown courthouse.

La Salle Council to discuss parking issues

A possible solution to parking problems near the La Salle Veteran’s Home could be on the way.  The La Salle City Council could approve parking changes when they meet Monday.

The council will also go into closed session to talk about the sale of city real estate.  They city is in the process of selling the empty lot across from Save-A-Lot to a farmer with plans for a produce market.

The La Salle City Council meets at 7pm Monday.

Thousands attend Easter egg drop in La Salle

People found parking spaces where they could Sunday afternoon near Northwest School in La Salle.  AX Church hosted n 20,000 Easter egg drop from a helicopter.  A check with La Salle Police and Fire estimated at least 3000 people in attendance.

Blago brother says former IL gov should take stand

CHICAGO (AP) – The brother of Rod Blagojevich has some advice for the former Illinois governor just days away from his corruption retrial: Take the stand.

Robert Blagojevich could have faced retrial as his brother’s co-defendant this week. Last year a jury deadlocked on all four corruption charges against the Tennessee businessman and prosecutors later dropped charges against him.

Robert Blagojevich tells The Chicago Sun-Times that the trial strained the relationship between the brothers even more.

He says the ex-governor needs to be prepared to answer questions when it comes to the recordings.

Rod Blagojevich’s trial begins Wednesday.

His first trial ended last year after a jury deadlocked on 23 of 24 counts against him, including allegations that he tried to sell President Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat.

Mendota and the Easter Bunny

Veterans Park in Mendota is apparently to the liking of the Easter Bunny. An egg hunt will happen this Saturday at 11am followed by a small petting zoo – including a live Elk and lunch on the Elks Lodge porch. The hunt will have staggered times to accommodate children from toddler to age 9. Register your child this week by stopping by Mendota Elks Lodge. The activity is limited to the first 300 registered children. The lodge reports the Easter bunny will visit the Veterans Home in LaSalle and the Lutheran Home and Heritage Manor in Mendota on Good Friday.

LaSalle County Enhanced 911

Enhanced 911 for LaSalle County can start – now that approval has come from the Illinois Commerce Commission. Sheriff Tom Templeton says testing will start in about 30 days with dispatchers calling rural addresses to verify their number, name and address. Rural fire departments are also asked to go door-to-door asking people to call the county to verify that their information is correctly listed in the county computer. Some six thousand people need to be verified into the 911 system.

recycling Bureau County bridge

Recyling older rural bridges….it’s unusual but it will happen this summer in Bureau County. The News Tribune says a 1931 truss bridge spanning the Hennepin Canal south of Wyanet will be picked up off its bearings this summer and moved one mile east to replace a bridge at1400 North Avenue. Bureau County Highway engineer John Gross says the 1931 structure will receive a paint job and be examined for faulty members before it’s put in place. The 80-year old bridge will be replaced with a new structure on Wyanet – Walnut road. The affected portion of the Wyanet-Walnut road will be closed May 2 until at least September first. Then 1400 North Avenue will be closed September 1 for the bridge installation but should be open for the winter months, according to Gross. The project is will cost six million dollars.

Counterfeit apparel charges

Police say nine men have been charged with operating a counterfeit apparel ring out of stores in Chicago and in the suburbs. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office says that jackets and other apparel with counterfeit trademarks were among more than 4,000 seized items worth $150,000. Two of the men face multiple felony counterfeiting counts. They’re scheduled to appear in court April 20th.

Snow….really?

The cold temperatures you’ve experienced MAY yield some snow tonite. The National Weather Service says it is NOT a sure thing…but says if temperatures drop enough tonite while it rains, one or two inches of snow may accumulate on grassy areas north of I-80. With temperatures so close to the freezing mark, the snow probably won’t last long. Thunderstorms are expected south of I-80 tonite.

raise for LaSalle County employee

La Salle County’s animal control administrator is getting a raise. Dr. Dell Brodd has been reappointed to the administrator position for two years. His salary is 21,800 dollars a year, a 300 dollar increase from his previous contract which expired in December. County Board member Sandi Billard of Oglesby voted against the reappointment because she wanted a job description attached to the resolution that the board voted on.