County Board Trying To Stop Job Loss Trend

With Jewel closed and Kmart and R.R. Donnelley soon to follow, what can be done to reverse the trend in La Salle County?  Most county board members think advertising in a national magazine can help.

The board voted 19 to 6 to spend over 23 thousand dollars for six ads in Site Selection Magazine.  Some board members don’t like that the money isn’t in the budget.  The advertising dollars will only be spent if cities in La Salle County agree to split another 23 thousand dollars for the ads.

Site Selection Magazine is geared towards corporate executives and real estate professionals looking at possible business locations.  In a bit of irony, the magazine is printed at R.R. Donnelley in Mendota.

Spring Valley gets to speak with IDOT about Route 89

Ariel maps showing the Route 89 bridge and the land north and south of the river were laid out on tables for the curious to looked them over.

IDOT engineers took questions during a public information meeting Thursday at Spring Valley City Hall.  IDOT plans to replace the Route 89 bridge because of its age and condition.

The construction of a new bridge is expected to take two years.  If the old bridge isn’t left open during that time Dave Pellegrini, owner D and M Landscaping says it would tremendously affect his business.  He says it would have them spending extra time driving and a fuel to reach their customers in Putnam County.

An hour and a half into the meeting, 105 people had already visited, including representatives from other businesses and St. Margaret’s Hospital.

At the next public meeting you’ll be able to see the possible options for replacing the bridge.  After that there will be a public hearing where IDOT will present their route and take comments.

Local business man speaks out against park fees

The day you’ll have to pay to visit Starved Rock State Park or Buffalo Rock could soon be coming.  And at least one man whose business is located in Starved Rock hopes that doesn’t happen.

Terry Cross owns the riverfront concession and one inside of the lodge.  He’s afraid an entrance fee or sticker would hurt his and surrounding businesses.  He also thinks it would make the parks unaffordable for many visitors.

He says many other states have had park fees and have done away with them.

Several bills have been proposed including one that would create a park sticker.  A bill passed the House last month and will soon be discussed in the Senate.

Life in prison for Mackowiak

Keith Mackowiak, the man convicted of murdering an elderly couple in Seneca will die in prison.  La Salle County Judge H. Chris Ryan Thursday sentenced Mackowiak to life in prison without parole.

Mackowiak was found guilty earlier this year of killing Al and Catherine Twardowski.  The couple was found beaten to death in the home in July 2007.

Before being sentenced Mackowiak told the Twardowski family that he never hit anyone.  He also fired his attorney and filled a motion for a new trial which was quickly denied by the judge.

Connie Temple, a daughter of the couple, told the courtroom she was grateful Mackowiak was found guilty and that she hopes he lives the rest of his life in pain and sorrow.

Easter Seals telethon returns Saturday

There’s something special about live television especially when you know the people on it.  You can watch people from the community sing and dance their hearts out while donating to Easter Seals during their annual telethon Saturday.

Easter Seals of La Salle and Bureau Counties helps out children with and without special needs.  Kelly Rick is the Director of Development she says they also provide an autism resource center for area parents and teachers.

This year’s fundraising goal is 133 thousand dollars.  The telethon will be from 4-9pm at the new Central Intermediate School in Ottawa.  You can watch it on TV by tuning into your local community access channel or online their website.

Judgement Day For Convicted Seneca Murderer

The Keith Mackowiak double murder saga should finally come to an end today.

The 44-year old man from Seneca is supposed to be sentenced to life in prison without parole by Judge H. Chris Ryan.  The life sentence is mandatory after Mackowiak was found guilty earlier this year of killing Al and Catherine Twardowski back in July of 2007 in their rural Seneca home.

A jury deliberated in late February for around two hours before returning the murder verdict.  Before Illinois’ decision to abolish the death penalty, prosecutors were seeking death for Mackowiak.

The sentencing hearing starts at 1.

Gun Range Debate Continues In Courtroom

No decision’s been made on whether or not the Buffalo Range Shooting Park in Ottawa can open.

A hearing started Wednesday afternoon about a state restraining order that’s keeping the gun range closed.  The attorney general’s office called witnesses who testified that stray bullets barley missed them at Buffalo Rock State Park and the I&M Canal Towpath.  The gun range attorney says it’s not possible for the bullets to come from the shooting range and asked for the injunction to be lifted.  Circuit Judge Eugene Daugherity said no and the hearing continues today in downtown Ottawa.

\The state believes the gun range hasn’t made needed safety improvements to open while gun range officials say they’ve exceeded the state’s safety requirements.

Ottawa War Hero Remembered This Weekend

A civil war general called one of the greatest Union generals by Ulysses S. Grant will be celebrated this weekend in Ottawa.

General William H.L. Wallace died in the famous battle of Shiloh in April of 1862.  The 150^th anniversary of his death will be marked Saturday and Sunday with Civil War re-enactors, guided tours, a Wallace documentary and a ceremony dedicating ground for a new Wallace monument.  Proceeds from the weekend will go towards the new monument in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.

Wallace is buried along with his wife and daughter in the Dickey Cemetery along Caton Road in Ottawa.  The burial site is decaying on not accessible to the public since its on private property.  Arrangements have been made with the landowners this weekend to have bus tours to the Wallace gravesite.

Sanders says the cemetery group wants to raise 30 thousand dollars.  They’ll use around ten thousand to build the new Wallace monument and use the rest to renovate Wallace’s gravesite at the Dickey Cemetery.