Leadership Conference designed to get women involved in politics

You only have to attend a city council meeting to realize that women aren’t nearly as involved in government as men.  The members of the Illinois Valley Democratic Women are trying to change that by holding the First Annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

Rosemary Laudani says they formed the organization after working during recent elections.   They want to encourage more women to be involved by running for office or by helping Democrats get elected.

Laudani says they’re expecting at least 65 people to fill Labors’ 393 Hall in Marseilles Saturday. She says many women are coming from neighboring counties.

The program runs from 9am-3pm. Former U.S. Representative Debbie Halvorson will be one of the speakers.  You can learn more by listening to an interview that’s on the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Chicago man accused of selling heroin in Ottawa

It would seem there’s one less person selling heroin in Ottawa.  Investigators with TRIDENT say they watched Eric Pierce of Chicago sell heroin to someone near Washington Park in Ottawa Tuesday.

Pierce was arrested and taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Streator Girl Accused Of Home Break-In

A teenage girl is accused of stealing thousands of dollars worth of stuff from a house in Streator.

Vanessa Salinas was arrested on a warrant yesterday for residential burglary.  She’s accused of stealing over three thousand dollars worth of property from a home back in mid-September.  Streator Police say she stole a range of things including electronics and jewelry.

Salinas was taken to the county jail.  She’s being charged as an adult.

14 year old boy accused of robbing the La Salle Dollar General Store

What were your kids doing Friday night?  Somebody’s 14 year old boy is accused of holding up the Dollar General in downtown La Salle.

Police arrested the teen Tuesday afternoon.  The investigation began late Friday night after Dollar General was held up at gun point by a man wearing a ski mask.

The boy was being held in the La Salle County Detention Home while a charge of aggravated robbery was referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office.  More charges could be on the way.

IDOT Preparing For Burgoo Traffic Issues

Even in years with no construction, traffic along Interstate 80 for the Burgoo Festival is congested.

With the I-80/Route 178 overpass all torn up, IDOT is making the decision to close the westbound exit ramp at overpass from 9 until one during Burgoo.  People coming from Ottawa and places farther to the east are being urged to exit in Ottawa and take either Route 6 or 71 into Utica.  If you go past the Utica exit, you can always take Interstate 39 to Route 6.

As for parking, there will be shuttle buses picking people up at JC Whitney, Celebrations 150 and at The Village Gift Shop which used to be called Bennett’s Garden Center.  They’re charging five dollars per car for the shuttle service.

Fallen Mendota Marine Is Promoted

A Marine Corps pilot from Mendota who died  in a training exercise is still making an impact.

While 27-year old 1st. Lt. Thomas Heitmann was buried Monday in Earlville, the U.S. Marine Corps posthumously promoted him to the rank of captain. Mendota Mayor David Boelk has also declared Sept. 19 as Capt. Thomas Heitmann Day.

Heitmann’s helicopter went down September 19th outside Camp Pendleton in California.  A co-pilot from Champaign was also killed in the crash.