McGraw passes available through silent auction

If you’re a fan of Tim McGraw seeing him in concert next Saturday will be fun, but what if you could meet with him backstage?  That is possible.

Merry Noonan, the woman behind Lou’s La Grotto’s “Concerts for a Cause” is auctioning off several backstage passes.  Proceeds from the silent auction will go towards the March of Dimes.

You can place a bid on the passes by calling Noonan at Lou’s LaGrotto in Peru at (815) 223-3083.  Noonan must personally take your bid and is normally at the restaurant between 11 and 5.  The deadline to place a bid is 5pm Tuesday, July 2.  

Tim McGraw performs Saturday, July 6 at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru.  General admission tickets are still available.

Chicago teens arrested for felony drug charges in Ottawa

          You can’t buy cigarettes until you’re 18 years old, but two 17 year old boys in Ottawa are accused of having heroin and cocaine.

          Officers with TRIDENT arrested Rashad Barksdale and Brandon McLaurin of Chicago after searching an apartment on Route 6 Wednesday.

          Barksdale is accused of having heroin; McLaurin is accused of having cocaine.  Police say both of the teens lied about their names when confronted. 

          The teens were being held in the La Salle County Jail with their bonds each at $100,000.

IVAR offering adoption specials Saturday

          Is something missing from your summer?  Could it be a dog or a cat?  Illinois Valley Animal Rescue is reducing the adoption fees for an all-day special they’re calling an “Adopt-a-Thon.”

          Trina Funfsinn is an IVAR volunteer and says they have young and senior dogs available and all types of cats.

          IVAR be open from 9am until 8pm Saturday so you can meet the animals and apply to take one home.  You’ll find their shelter on the north end of La Salle.  You’ll also find raffles, goodie bags and door prizes.

Production of Operation Promise 2014 underway

          The wrecked remains of the family SUV sat just feet away from the car that hours earlier carried teens to prom.  It sounds dramatic because it’s meant to.  It’s part of the plot of Operation Promise 2014.  Taping of the third educational video of the series is underway.

          Most recently shot was the crash scene on the dead end of Orlando Smith Road in Oglesby.  The man behind it, Rodney Perez says 105 students are participating in the production along with a family of four.

          The scene film Thursday morning also featured La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne and Coroner Jody Bernard. 

          Perez says they’ll be filming up until September.  The video will premier next April at LP High School.

          You can support the film without having to go onscreen.  Donations are being accepted to pay for its production.