The cost of smoking

The Illinois House has agreed to raise tobacco taxes as part of a plan to strengthen the state Medicaid program. The tax increase passed 60-52 yesterday. It now goes to the Senate, which has backed similar increases in the past. The new measure more than doubles the tax on cigarettes, to $1.98 a pack. Other tobacco products would see a similar tax increase.

Willey and Hickok

Wild Bill Hickok’s 175th birthday party in Troy Grove includes a daytime soap star tonite. Ottawa’s Walt Willey is bringing his touring show called “Wild Bill: An Evening with James Butler Hickok” to Mendota High School tonite. Show time is 7pm in the auditorium. Tickets are $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at Sports-N-Stuff in Mendota. The “Wild Bill” show is one of Willey’s projects since “All My Children” ended last year.

Wild Bill Hickok day

One of the area’s most famous and infamous native sons is being celebrated Sunday. Officials in Troy Grove are planning a “Wild Bill Hickock Day” tomorrow at the city park across from Wild Bill’s monument. Besides food and kids games, organizers plan on offering horse and wagon rides, live shootout re-enactments, historic cemetery tour and gun and photo exhibits. The event runs from 11 until 4. Wild Bill was born in Troy Grove on May 27th, 1837.

Landers death

A former La Salle County Board member in Ottawa has died. 69 year old Dale Landers died Friday at St. Francis Medical Center. Landers was a 10-year Democratic member of the La Salle County Board when he lost a re-election bid in 2006 to current board member Arratta Znaniecki. Landers was one of the first targets of the La Salle County Landowner’s Association. He went on to serve on the county’s housing authority board after his election loss. Arrangements for Dale Landers can be heard on AM 1220 WLPO’s In Memoriam.

Memorial Day Gas Prices

Are you one of the millions driving somewhere this Memorial Day weekend?  Here are the cheapest gas prices in the area.

According to GasBuddy.com, Sapp Brothers in Peru has the cheapest rate for unleaded at 3.45 a gallon.  Gas is 3.47 a gallon at Love’s in Utica, Flying J in La Salle and Road Ranger in Princeton.  You can also get gas for under 3.50 a gallon at stations in Princeton and Ottawa.

Unleaded gas in La Salle and Peru ranges from 3.54 to 3.69 a gallon.

Longtime La Salle County Board Member Dies

A former La Salle County Board member in Ottawa has died.

69 year old Dale Landers died Friday at St. Francis Medical Center.  Landers was a 10-year Democratic member of the La Salle County Board when he lost a re-election bid in 2006 to current board member Arratta Znaniecki.  Landers was one of the first targets of the La Salle County Landowner’s Association.  He went on to serve on the county’s housing authority board after his election loss.

Arrangements for Dale Landers can be heard on AM 1220 WLPO’s In Memoriam.