Domestic violence luminary focuses on the victims

You hear about the people who get arrested and convicted of domestic battery and of hurting the people they claim to love but you don’t hear much about the victims.

A domestic violence luminary organized by area Zonta Clubs Thursday night focused on the victims.  Susan Doman spoke on behalf of her sister, Kathleen Savio.  Doman says it brings her joy to be able to speak for her sister and that she hopes Savio’s story will encourage other women being abused get help.

Doman told the crowd at the First Congregation Church in Ottawa that she believed Savio would still be alive if she had an advocate and only mentioned her sister’s killer, Drew Peterson, once.

Other speakers included Judge Cynthia Raccuglia who has been a longtime supporter of the annual domestic violence luminaries and Dr. Eileen Couture of St. Francis Medical Center.  Justice Mary Kay O’Brien was invited to speak, as she has in past years, but couldn’t because she could likely have to hear the Peterson’s appeal to his murder conviction.

First video of Peru City Council available online

You can keep tabs on your city council by listening to the radio and reading the newspaper but sometimes you want to know more.

You can hear and watch the suggestions, the votes and the zingers of the Peru City Council by visiting the city’s website.  The video of Monday night’s council meeting is the first meeting video to be posted.

The city hired Connecting Point Computers for the technology to post and archive the videos.

The camera that records the action is mounted in the ceiling while the aldermen, mayor and other city officials have mics at their seats.

Local unemployment numbers show improvements over last September

One in ten people in the workforce is on the unemployment list in La Salle County.  The September unemployment rate was 10.1%, down by nearly a full percent from the same time last year.

In Bureau County, the September unemployment rate was 8.6%, one point lower than last September and in Putnam County the rate was 8.9%, down from 10.1% last September.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says that the Ottawa-Streator area lost jobs in manufacturing and government and gained in the construction and transportation-warehousing sectors.

Fright Night returns to Echo Bluff

Do you like to be scared?  Echo Bluff Park in Bureau County is giving it their best to leave you spooked out with Fright Night 2012.

The park will be open Saturday and Sunday for the Trail of Terror.  For little kids they’re offering the Pumpkin Patch Trail.

It’ll be open from 7pm -10pm Saturday and from 6pm -9pm Sunday.  Admission is $5 per person.  Children under seven are free.

35-Year Old Found Dead In Streator

If you were waiting to find out who was the man found dead in Streator, his name has been released.

35-year old Eric Fitzgerald of Streator was pronounced dead Wednesday morning after being found lying on a sidewalk.  La Salle County Coroner Jodi Bernard says no foul play is suspected.

An autopsy on Fitzgerald was done yesterday but Bernard is still waiting for results.  The death is still under investigation.

Domestic Violence Awareness Event In Ottawa

TV dramas and news headlines are good at showcasing victims of domestic violence but those people, often times women, are real people.

Survivors of domestic battery and their supporters will be meeting in Ottawa tonight to raise awareness of the problem that can have deadly consequences.  Two of the participants you’ll recognize from the news- Sue Doman the sister of the late Kathleen Savio and Cassandra Cales the sister of the missing Stacy Peterson.

A domestic violence awareness luminary begins at 6:30 at Washington Park.  The group will hold candles and walk around the park before crossing the street to the First Congregational Church.

Doman and Cales will be speaking at the church.  ADV and SAS will also have its Clothesline Project set up.

The program is being organized by Zonta Clubs from Ottawa, Streator, and La Salle-Peru.

Meet The Candidates Tonight In Princeton

Political candidates in Bureau County will be on full display tonight.

A forum featuring people running for state’s attorney, coroner and circuit clerk starts at 6:30 tonight inside the Bureau County Metro Center in Princeton.  Democratic incumbent State’s Attorney Pat Hermann faces off against Republican Desiree Sierens.  Incumbent Coroner Janice Wamhoff is going against Republican Randy Grant.  Meanwhile for circuit clerk, its newcomers Mary Dremann a Democrat taking on Republican Dawn Reglin.

This is the first time in decades voters will elect a coroner instead of it being an appointed position.  Bureau County voters passed a referendum saying they wanted to elect their coroner.

Major Weather Changes Coming

If you’re a fan of 70 to 80 degree weather in late October, hope you soaked it all in.  After today, temperatures will plummet.

According to the National Weather Service, after a high in the mid-70s today, rain will usher in much cooler temperatures, temperatures more fitting of this time of the year.

High temperatures for the next week expected to be right around 50.  Overnight lows will hover around the freezing mark.