La Salle Vet Humble In Accepted Purple Heart

Almost 67 years to the day when he was wounded fighting in World War II, a La Salle man received one of the military’s highest honors.

88 year old Army Private 1^st Class Jay Trimmer accepted the Purple Heart yesterday from Congressman and Air Force pilot Adam Kinzinger.  Trimmer was wounded during combat in Italy in September of 1944.  He was captured and spent eight months in a German POW camp where he says he did hard labor and sustained more injuries and illness.  Trimmer was liberated in April of 1945.

Before giving Trimmer the Purple Heart, Kinzinger called the ceremony “an honor of a lifetime”.  He called Trimmer a hero and a member of America’s greatest generation.

“Buckets of Love” collection this weekend at area stores

The items that you would find under your kitchen sink are what members of the Zonta Club are collecting this weekend.  You’ll be able to donate brooms, cleaners, and other household items for Buckets of Love Saturday.

The items will go to domestic violence victims who are reestablishing households.  Members of Zonta will be out from 8am until noon at area stores.

Later in October, Zonta will hold their annual Luminary of Hope walk in downtown Peru.  You can learn more by listening to an interview that’s available at the am 1220 wlpo news page.

17 year old Hall student accused of having synthetic cannabis

You’ve been hearing a lot about the crackdown on a new drug called synthetic cannabis.  It’s marketed as incense but apparently is smoked like traditional marijuana.

Two weeks after Spring Valley passed a rule against having it, a 17 year old boy at Hall High School has been ticketed for it.  Police were called to the school Tuesday morning.  The boy was cited for breaking the city ordinance and was released to a parent.

Had the boy been found with it after January 1, he would be facing a felony drug charge.

Escort planned for fallen Mendota Marine

A fallen marine from Mendota is coming back home.

Services for 27-year old 1^st Lieutenant Thomas Heitmann will happen Monday morning in Mendota.  As Heitmann arrives in Mendota, he’ll be escorted by the state police and members of the Patriot Guard.

City officials in Mendota are urging people to put American flags outside their homes and business and to come outside if possible and pay respects as Heitmann passes by.  The city has American flags available at the city clerk’s office.

Heitmann was killed September 19^th when his helicopter crash during training near Camp Pendleton, California.

You can hear services for 1^st Lieutenant Thomas Heitmann during AM 1220 WLPO’s In Memoriam.

Hospital’s Annual Variety Show Returns

Singers, dancers, thespians and pianists are all part of this year’s Illinois Valley Community Hospital Variety Show.

The show happens October 8^th at 7 inside L-P’s Matthiessen Auditorium.  At least two different sets of IVCH workers will do dance routines.  There will also be high school students doing dance and music routines.

The show will raise money for IVCH’s new obstetrics and intensive care units which should open soon.  Tickets are 15 dollars a person and are available at the hospital.

Malden Man Wants Museum Prize

You’ve heard of a night at the museum.  A man from Malden wants to spend a whole month at one.

Dale Fiste of Malden is one of six finalists for the 2^nd annual Month at the Museum contest at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.  Fiste is a retired farmer and works part-time as a maintenance assistant at a retirement home.  He also sings in a barbershop quartet.

Online voting for Fiste continues until October 3^rd at 5.  The winner to stay at the museum for a month is announced October 5^th.

The winner stays at the museum from October 19^th thru November 17^th.  They win 10 thousand dollars.

To vote for Fiste, go to the Museum of Science and Industry’s website.