Long Time St. Bede Pastor, Monk And Athletic Director Dies

Classes will dismiss early tomorrow at St. Bede to remember a longtime leader of the school.

The Rev. Kevin Gorman died Sunday in Lacon.  He entered the monastery in 1944.  Gorman was a teacher and athletic director at the academy for over 20 years.  He went on to be pastor at St. Joseph’s in Peru, Holy Trinity in Cherry and then retiring in 2008 from St. Pat’s in Arlington.

Funeral arrangements for Rev. Kevin Gorman can be heard on AM 1220 WLPO’s In Memoriam.

Winter Outlook For The Illinois Valley

With last winter being overly mild, are we in for a snowy and cold winter this time around?

The National Weather Service out of Chicago is sticking its neck out a bit, putting together a winter outlook.  The forecast for northern Illinois is leaning towards average to above average snowfall this winter with near average or slightly below average temperatures.

For December, the winter outlook calls for below normal temperatures and enhanced chances of above normal precipitation.

Former Area Congresswoman Wants Jackson Jr.’s Seat

CHICAGO (AP) – Your former congresswoman says she’s officially running to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress.

Debbie Halvorson launched her campaign today, saying she’s received numerous calls from elected officials, community leaders and people of the 2nd Congressional District urging her to run. In a statement, Halvorson touts her experience in Congress and says that will allow her to get to work without having to go through freshman orientation, if she’s elected.

Halvorson lost to Jackson in the Democratic primary this year. She’d served in Congress before losing the 2010 election to Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

Hospital Reaches Out To Those Alone On The Holidays

Have you already made Christmas dinner plans with the in-laws?  While it may be stressful, be thankful you have family to share the holiday with.

St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley is hosting its 21^st Annual Holiday Dinner for people who are alone on Christmas.  The dinner starts at 2 on Sunday, December 9^th in the hospital cafeteria.

The meal is free and will feature a visit from Santa.  Transportation is available for those who need a ride.  Meals can also be delivered to homes.

To make a reservation, call the hospital by December 5^th.

Pearl Harbor Remembered In Peru

You’ll have plenty of chances this month to take your kids to see Santa, but a group of veterans in Peru hope you take time to remember the lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7 1941.

Veterans, including a few who were at Pearl Harbor, will march in the annual Pearl Harbor Day Parade in Peru.  There will also be a special fly-over to mark the 71^st anniversary of the attack.

The parade begins at 11:30am today on Water Street in Peru.

Wreath Laying Ceremony Planned In La Salle

Wreaths will be laid on soldier’s graves and not front doors next month in La Salle.

The national group called Wreaths Across America will have simultaneous wreath laying ceremonies the morning of December 15^th.  Locally a ceremony will start at the La Salle Veteran’s Home at 11.  The remembrance will then move to Forest Lawn Memory Gardens for the actual laying of wreaths.

The effort costs thousands of dollars.  If you can make a donation to Wreaths Across America, get a hold of Gearhart or Toni Lucas.