Kutcher and Kunis seen in Spring Valley

Maybe you’ve seen a celebrity walking into a bar in a sleepy western town and things liven up? The News Tribune reports a similar occurance this afternoon (Tuesday) at the Spring Valley Caseys. In the midst of the humid weather, about 4:30pm in walks actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis for some beverages. Employee Sarah Ossola told the Tribune she recognized them instantly but couldn’t speak. Co-worker Mary Verrucchi served the famous duo without knowing who they were. Deliveryman Graham Thorpe reportedly had the courage to approach and received four autographs from Kutcher. Kunis bought a lottery ticket before departing in Kutcher’s Prius – presumably on their way to Ashton’s hometown of Cedar Rapids.

IVCC hires interim head baseball coach

The new interim head baseball coach for Illinois Valley Community College comes from the courtroom.  Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Goode has been chosen to lead the men’s baseball team next season.

            Goode coached baseball two years at Marquette Academy.  He replaces former coach Eric Pinter who left in May.

Illinois enacts nation’s final concealed-gun law

     SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois has become the final state in the nation to allow the public possession of concealed guns, just ahead of a federal appeals court’s deadline.

      The state Senate voted 41-17 Tuesday to override Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of the concealed carry legislation lawmakers sent him. The House took the same action earlier in the day.

      The Chicago Democrat’s amendatory veto suggested changes to the delicately negotiated initiative – changes that anti-violence activists embraced.

      Quinn wanted guns banned from any establishment that serves alcohol and wanted to limit gun-toting citizens to one firearm at a time.

      Senate President John Cullerton says Quinn’s recommendations might be addressed in later legislation.

      The Illinois State Police must be ready to accept applications in six months. Officials expect 300,000 to apply in the first year.

Deputies Planning Shopping Trip For The Needy

90 degree weather isn’t stopping La Salle County deputies from thinking about Christmas.

The deputies 8^th annual Xmas 4 Kids fundraiser is underway again.  Officers take kids with groups like the Youth Service Bureau and Department of Children and Family Services Christmas shopping December.  Organizer and Deputy Felecia Rasmussen says they’re hoping to raise 10 thousand dollars this year.

One of their main fundraisers is Saturday, July 20^th at Festivities Unlimited in Ottawa.  There will be a pasta dinner, silent auction, quarter auction and vendor show.  Tickets are 10 dollars a person which includes a dinner.

To order tickets in advance, go to https://www.facebook.com/XMas4KidsLaSalleCounty?fref=ts

State Offering To Help Pay Air Conditioning Bills

Get help paying your air conditioning bill while it’s available.

Starting next Monday, the Tri-County Opportunities Council is offering up to 150 dollars to people considered to be at risk during the heat.  The money to help pay bills is available until July 26^th or whenever money runs out.

To be eligible for the cooling assistance, there must be someone 60 and over in your house, 5 years old or younger, someone getting Social Security disability benefits or someone with a doctor-certified medical condition aggravated by extreme heat.

The Tri-County Opportunities Council office serving the listening area is in Rock Falls.

Streator Guardsman Treated To McGraw Concert

When it comes to saluting veterans, not many people do it better than country music, especially Tim McGraw.

One of the thousands who watched McGraw in Peru Saturday night was National Guard Sgt. 1^st Class Michael Sass of Streator.  Sass just got back from Afghanistan in May and was picked by McGraw and MillerCoors to attend his show for free and go backstage to meet the country superstar. Sass says McGraw is one of his favorite singers and he’s grateful for the opportunity to have met him.

Besides getting veterans in free to every one of his shows, McGraw also is part of Operation Homefront where he works with Chase to give a mortgage free home to a veteran at every stop of his tour.