Less Stops By Cops

Traffic stops across Illinois have dropped by 6 percent and the number of ticketed motorists fell by 11 percent. That’s according to a the Chicago Tribune.

The newspaper analyzed state data on traffic tickets from 2008 to 2010. Officials say there isn’t a single explanation for the change, but many police officials believe that a drop in manpower is the reason.

money raised for Penguin Plunge

It’s thirteen thousand and counting on a “Make a Wish” fundraiser Saturday in Ottawa. . Eighty six people and the event coordinator,Tammie Barry, jumped into the Illinois River late Saturday morning after raising one hundred dollars each. Barry is with Heritage Harbor and told AM 1220 WLPO she continues to be amazed how the people of LaSalle County turn out to support such events. Barry jumped in head first along with a few wearing nothing but a spedo, bikini or other summer attire. Three hundred fifty persons watched – many from LaSalle Peru. Music, food and fire pits were available. On-line contributions have yet to be counted. Heritage Harbor has pictures on their FB page.  Barry says “Penguin Plunge” will return next year….hopefully, under ….colder conditions?

Baby alone in parking lot

Employees at Oglesby Dollar General saw a startling site Saturday in their parking lot on East Walnut. About 9:30am, a child, about two years old was wandering about wearing just a diaper. Workers told Oglesby police they took the child into the store to keep it warm. Then, as an officer was preparing to leave with the child, 20-year old Shaina Lamboley approached them. She admitted to being the child’s mother was charged with endangering the life or health of a child. She was given a notice to appear. DCFS was notified.

Crimestoppers needs help in Oglesby

Vandals busy sometime Friday night or later in Oglesby and Crimestoppers is asking for information. About 7:30am, Oglesby police received complaints about damage to cars, a newspaper box and sidewalk lights. The vandals struck in the 300 block of Alice, Park avenue and Clark streets. The report says a CD player was removed from one car and another had writing on it.

To merge…or not ?

A commission studying Illinois education says forcing small school districts to merge could cost state government billions of dollars. The huge price could kill any chance that the Classrooms First Commission will recommend mandatory consolidation. Several commission members told The Associated Press this week that there is little support for that approach.

No snow show for next weekend?

It seems snow will be one key ingredient missing at Winter Wilderness weekend the 14th and 15th at Starved Rock. Guided hikes leave at 9 and 1pm each day from the visitors’ center and will take guests to Starved Rock and French Canyon. Leo Trainor is an employee at the Visitors’ Center. He told Ottawa Delivered this week that the bare trees allow a better view into the canyons. And, Eagle Watch weekend is coming up the last weekend in January.

Crafters’ Village fire remembered

Perhaps we can take your mind of the Westclox’s fire by talking about another fire. Do not worry. This was extinguished about 3am January 5, 2010….a few hundred feet east of a Buick dealership in north Peru. 9-1-1 calls came in about 7:30pm two years ago and left Crafters Village building a twisted mess of metal wrapped in smoke and layered in ice. Eight departments sent help to the structure on Progress Boulevard while the public watched and recorded the blaze in the Peru Mall parking lot. One firefighter twisted his ankle walking on the icy pavement created by the water poured on the fire. Firemen managed to save a professional building to the east from major damage.

Crimestoppers tip needed

Illinois Valley Crimestoppers needs information on damage to St.Hyacinth’s rectory Saturday afternoon. LaSalle police say a person or persons threw a landscaping brick through the rear glass door. If you have any information about this crime, call 1-800-340-40 – 45. A tip leading to arrest can get a reward of up to $1000. Calls are not recorded and remain anonymous.