Let The Campaigning Begin

The first day of filing for the 2012 election had plenty of candidates signing up for La Salle County Board.

On the Democratic ticket, incumbents Stephen Abel of Mendota, Bob Greenwalt of Sandwich, Michael Kasap of La Salle, Lou Anne Caretto and Tom Walsh of Ottawa and Herman Bruns and Bob Jakupcak of Streator all filed.  Newcomers Joseph Oscepinski Jr. of Peru is going after the seat held by fellow Democrat Matt McLaughlin of Peru while Brian Dose of Ottawa is seeking the board seat currently held by Republican Randy Freeman of Lostant.

Besides Freeman on the Republican side, other incumbents filing for re-election are Joanne McNally of Mendota, Charles Borchsenius of Sheridan, Gary Small of Utica, Sandi Billard of Oglesby, Steven Tuftie and Arratta Znaniecki of Ottawa.  Newcomer Republicans running include ex-board member Allen Erbrederis of Somonauk and Tina Busch of Tonica and Tamra Bierbom of Utica.  Erbrederis is seeking the seat currently held by Charles Borchsenius while Busch and Bierbom are both going after Sandi Billard’s spot.

House Fire In Princeton

It only took about a half hour for a fire to cause thousands of dollars in damage to a home near Princeton High School.

Firefighters were called out to a single-story home at 225 Washington Court that was smoking just after 10 o’clock Monday morning.  The person living at the home got outside okay as firefighters brought the fire under control in around 30 minutes.  Princeton Fire Chief John Petrakis says the fire was centered in a hallway but there was plenty of smoke damage throughout.  He estimates total property loss at 150 thousand dollars.

Petrakis thinks the fire is accidental but the cause is still under investigation.  The Red Cross was called to help the person living at the house.

Two Workers In Peru Busted For Underage Alcohol Sale

The latest sting by state police to see if area businesses will sell beer to minors ends up with two arrests.

Peru Marathon employee Katherine Lowery of Peru and Sofia Cruz of Spring Valley while working at P &P Pantry in Peru are both accused of selling alcohol to minors. Both were released with court dates.

Troopers say 21 other gas stations, grocery stores and bars passed the compliance check in Peru, Mendota and Utica.

Homes Not Flying Off The Market

Know anyone who’s bought a house lately in the Illinois Valley? Home sales aren’t booming by any means.

According to the latest numbers, 68 homes were sold in La Salle County in October, up from 67 a year ago. Nineteen homes were sold in October in Bureau County, same as in 2010. Putnam County had seven houses go off the market in October, up from four last year.

The average sell price in La Salle County is 100 thousand dollars, about nine thousand below 2010. Homes in Bureau County are selling for an average of 84 thousand dollars, up about four thousand from a year ago. In Putnam County, the average selling price is 106 thousand dollars, 33 thousand dollars below the 2010 price.

Troubled Teen In Princeton Shows Up In Court

The teen accused of strolling into Princeton High with a loaded shotgun is done with mental tests and now faces the court system.

Blake Schmidt was in Bureau County Court Wednesday, officially being charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon. He had spent nearly a week undergoing psychiatric tests at a Peoria hospital after investigators say he brought a loaded gun into Princeton High School when classes were being dismissed November 16th. Schmidt never pointed the gun at anyone and wasn’t a student.

He’s do again in court for grand jury indictment and arraignment on December 14th. Schmidt’s bond is 25 thousand dollars.

Two Area Courthouses Have White Powder Scare

Could it be a copycat, the same person or just pure coincidence that a white powdery substance with a threatening letter has been sent to a couple area courthouses recently.

Early last week, investigators in Morris responded to an opened envelope with a white powdery substance at the circuit clerk’s office. The envelope included a threatening letter to a judge.

Just a week before that, police went to the downtown courthouse in Ottawa for a white powdery substance also opened in the circuit clerk’s office. That package also included a threat to an area judge.

In both cases, the powder wasn’t hazardous.

Maggie Daley Wake Is Today

CHICAGO (AP) – A public Mass for former Chicago first lady Maggie Daley is planned for later in the day.

The wife of former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley died last week after a long battle with cancer. A public wake and visitation was held Sunday. Mourners streamed through the Chicago Cultural Center. They walked by a closed casket, several flower arrangements and large photograph of a smiling Daley.

A public Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at Old St. Patrick’s Catholic Church near downtown.

Father And Two Daughters Killed In Plane Crash

CHICAGO (AP) – Autopsies are set for four victims of a small plane crash over the weekend in unincorporated McHenry County.

Friends and family say the pilot is Indiana businessman Ray Harris and the passengers were his daughters Ramie and Shey, all of Marion, Ind. The fourth victim was identified as Chris Backus of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was a friend of one of the daughters. Harris was apparently flying one of his daughters back to Wheaton College after the holiday.

Officials haven’t said what caused the crash.