Area homeless shelters prepares to open

There’s a chance of frost tonight with temperatures expected to dip into the 30’s.  That’s not much of a problem if you’re under the covers in your bed, but some people don’t have that comfort.

Pads Shelters in La Salle and Ottawa open their doors for the season at 5pm Saturday.  With 30 beds in Ottawa and 24 in La Salle, they say they saw more people use their services last year and expect even more to do so this season.

They’re always looking for volunteers and supplies.  If you’re interested in helping, visit www.ivpads.com.

Double Murder Trial Delayed Yet Again

It’s already been delayed for over four years, so what’s another four months?

In a final appearance before a Monday trial date, Keith Mackowiak’s attorney requested and was able to get another delay in his client’s trial.  Attorney George Kielian complained that planned statements from the prosecution’s pathologist became more detailed then they planned for in trial.  The defense first asked that the doctor’s testimony be barred from trial but Judge H. Chris Ryan denied that motion.  Kielian than said he wouldn’t be ready for trial with the new findings so Ryan set a new February 6^th trial date.

State’s Attorney Brian Towne says he’s disappointed in having another delay.  He said the defense had more than enough time to look over the pathologist’s planned testimony.

Keith Mackowiak of Seneca has been in jail since July 2007 after he was arrested for the beating deaths of Al and Catherine Twardowski in Seneca.

Oglesby Brings Back Harvest Fest

You can usher in a new season and new month with all kinds of activities in Oglesby.

The city is again hosting Harvest Fest.  Festivities get going tomorrow 10 with the Holy Family 5K Race.  At 11, a chalk drawing contest starts around city hall.  At noon, around 30 vendors will start selling their goods during a marketplace downtown.

The afternoon schedule at Harvest Fest includes a custom car show starting at 1 and the Scarecrow Scramble at 2.  This is a variation of the reality show Amazing Race where contestants race around town to win money.

The action shifts to the Dickenson House starting at 4 with family activities including a bonfire and storytelling.

Local Police Chief Talks About Synthetic Cannabis

Finding incense in a smoke shop isn’t anything new, but a new drug that’s marketed as incense isn’t what you were burning back in college.

It’s synthetic cannabis.  Having, selling and using synthetic cannabis becomes a felony January 1.  In the meantime, area towns have been passing rules against it.

Peru banned the drug Monday.  Police Chief Doug Bernabei says these are heavy duty chemicals capable of causing bad reactions.  Bernabei says the drug is used the same way as marijuana and is typically sold in smoke shops under many different brands.

Area stores were being told to no longer carry it.

Oglesby Police Looking For Clues In Vandalism Outbreak

Someone or some people with nothing better to do decide to slash tires of several cars in Oglesby.

Oglesby Police got reports Thursday of six different cars having their tires slashed.  The rash of damage was on South Glen Avenue between East 1^st and 2^nd Streets.

If you have information, call Oglesby Police or Crimestoppers.