Federal program hurt farmers?

A federal program intended to identify and deport illegal immigrants is raising fears in Vermont, where Mexican farmhands are a staple of the $560 million dairy industry. Opponents say aggressive enforcement of the Secure Communities initiative could harm the state’s struggling industry. They also say it could turn many of the 1,200 to 1,500 migrant workers into prisoners of the farms because they’re afraid they might be arrested and deported if they venture out. The program requires state and local police to send criminal suspects’ fingerprints to the FBI, where they are run through a database to determine the suspect’s immigration status. Massachusetts and Illinois have defied a federal mandate to participate in the program. About 70 Vermont farm workers are asking the state to reject the program.

Princeton Homestead Festival

Princeton is drawing attention to itself by hosting the “Homestead Festival” Thursday thru Sunday. Tours, plays, food, music , window displays and wagon rides are some of festival offerings. The festival honors the Rev. Owen Lovejoy, a minister and well-known opponent of slavery. Lovejoy is being remembered this year with a reader’s theatre performance of “Ten Thousand Thunders” thru the weekend. On the fun side, a burger eating and Bake it with Lard” contests are planned. Helicopter rides will also be available. A complete schedule is on-line at homesteadfestival dot com.

Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition

Streator is going after substance abuse through a Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. The coalition hopes to obtain a drug detection dog with proceeds from a golf playday at Twin Creeks September 24. Businesses can purchase a tee sponsorship, donate door prizes or golfer awards or a cash donation. Teams are needed to arrange a four person, best ball scramble. Entry fee is fifty dollars for eighteen holes, food and prizes. Call John Washko for information.

Upcoming 9-11 event

‘Fire, police and EMS personnel from central Illinois will participate in the “9/11 Ten Year Anniversary Memorial Ceremony at central Park in Henry this coming Sunday. A procession of personnel and equipment will march to Central Park Sunday evening. David Martinez of the NYPD, a 9-11 responder and highly decorated officer will be keynote speaker. A traditional “last call” bell will toll for those lost in the line of duty on 9-11-2001. Mike Steele of the Henry Fire Department is in charge of arrangements. Starting time is 6:30.

Radium statue unveiled

Ottawa has paid tribute to former factory employees who worked under dangerous conditions. The Radium Girls memorial honors the women who worked at watch-painting plants for Radium Dial and Luminous Processes in the early 20th century. The women painted glow-in-the-dark watch dials using radium-laced paint. Many died of radium exposure from using their lips to hone their paintbrushes.  The (Ottawa) Times reports the life-size bronze statue was unveiled Friday. It was placed near the former Luminous Processes factory plant. Former employees also attended the unveiling. Gov. Pat Quinn proclaimed Friday Radium Girls Day in Illinois. The memorial grew out of a class project by then-eight-grader Madeline Piller, who is now a freshman at the University of Illinois College of Engineering.

Warrants at Walgreens

A medical call at Peru Walgreen’s left a Mendota woman needing other kinds of help Saturday night. Peru police found 21-year old Desarae Wheeler with two active warrants pending. One was a LaSalle county warrant for retail theft – bond of one thousand dollars. A Winnebago County warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs had a bond of $75000. Wheeler went to the county jail.

Tri-County Fair Sunday

Seems today’s Tri-County Fair at Mendota has a little of everything. The Market Lamb show is at Noon. Unlimited rides can be had during the afternoon with the purchase of an armband for ten dollars. A Bags Tourney at 2 – registration one hour prior. And tonite, something called “Bulls and Barrels Bash” followed by free fireworks. The fair concludes Monday with an Open Beef Show at 10am, farmer olympics, the baby show, another armband ride special, chain saw carvings auction and a demo derby.

Bumpy weather Saturday

Mother Nature is working all the time including Saturday afternoon. A couple of thunderstorm warnings were issued in LaSalle County between two and 5pm. National Weather Service reports heavy rain, one inch hail and 60 mph winds in Peru about 2pm. Heavy rains fell in LaSalle with one Facebook comment claiming her part of Second Street was “like a river”. Half-inch hail was measured northeast of Ladd while in Ottawa, hail fell measuring a half inch to an inch.