Shirley King to headline Ottawa wine and jazz festival

“The Daughter of the Blues” will headline the lineup for the first ever Ottawa Two Rivers Wine and Jazz Festival.

Shirley King, the daughter of B.B. King, is schedule to take the stage during the first night of the festival.  Ottawa Mayor Bob Eschbach announced the performers yesterday at city hall.  The festival is planned for Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5 in the Jordan block.

Also scheduled to perform Saturday are the Matt Nelson Trio, Phat Daddy-O, and the Rhythm Rockets.

Sunday’s lineup includes the Wes Hausken Trio and John Kinnison and the Klye Asche Trio.

Eschbach says they have 26 vineyards signed up for the wine tent and there will also be a botanical arts festival and an antiques festival.

March unemployment figures show improvements

Fewer people in the Illinois Valley were receiving unemployment in March than they were the previous March.  Still, the March unemployment rate for La Salle County was 12.4%.

Bureau County unemployment for March was 11.2%, down by more than 2% from the same time last year.

Putnam County unemployment was 11.9%, a nearly 3% decrease from last March.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the Ottawa-Streator area unemployment was 12.1% with the area seeing the most job losses in manufacturing.

TRIDENT investigation leaves six people arrested

Half a dozen people were arrested during part of a drug investigation at home on Route 6 in Spring Valley.

Members of the drug team TRIDENT says they found a number of people and dogs when they went to 216 West Dakota Street Wednesday.

Caitlin Panas of Spring Valley lived at the house.  Panas, along with Mtt Persich of Spring Valley were arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver heroin.

Linsdey Roberts of Princeton and Andres Mendez of Spring Valley were arrested for unlawful possession of heroin.

Two men who live in the house were also arrested.  Jarmal Turner was arrested for possession of crack cocaine.  Micah Morganflash was arrested for not having a valid FOID card after police say they found a handgun.

All six were taken to the Bureau County Jail.

California woman arrested for cannabis following traffic stop

It’s not unusual for a person traveling halfway across the country to have a couple of suitcases, though you may not expect to find marijuana packed inside.

Police say that’s what they found after pulling over Anneelyse Smith of La Selva Beach, California Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 80 near La Salle.

Police say Smith was stopped for improper lighting and arrested for possession of cannabis.  Her car was searched after police say a dog sniff around the car and smelled drugs.  They say 14 pounds of cannabis was in the suitcases.

Smith was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

United Way to focus on fundraising campaign

If you’re involved with a group that is looking for a project to undertake, think Christmas.  The United Way office in La Salle has traditionally managed the annual Christmas Care Program which provides toys for low-income children, but they’re looking for a new group to take the reigns.

Julie Sloan is the executive director for the Illinois Valley chapter.  She says last year was another difficult year for the organization that provides dollars to 18 local non-profit groups.  The United Way board has decided they need to focus on their fundraising efforts next fall instead of running the Christmas program.

They’ve also decided to reschedule the fall Labor of Love effort for next spring instead.

If you have a group that would be interested in becoming involved with the Christmas Care program, contact their office.

Firefighters handle garage and house blaze in Oglesby

Fire has destroyed a garage and damaged a house and car in Oglesby.  Firefighters were called to the house on Elm Street shortly after 5am Thursday.

The fire started in the unattached garage and spread to the house.  The home was left was smoke and water damage.  The family of four that lives there got out of the house without injury.   The flames were knocked down in 20 minutes.  They’re not sure of the cause.

Tonica Fire covered the station while Utica Fire helped at the scene.