Chenoa man gets 76 years in baby’s death

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) — A McLean County judge has sentenced a Chenoa man to 76 years in prison for the April 2011 death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter.

Judge Rebecca Foley sentenced 25-year-old David Gharrett on Friday. He was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder in the death of Destiny Cox. The Pantagraph in Bloomington reports (http://bit.ly/19nbAvw) that the girl’s father, Davey Cox, said in a victim-impact statement that his “heart is broken.”

Prosecutors say the little girl died of head trauma after Gharrett slammed her into the bathtub while he was babysitting.

Gharrett’s attorney argued the girl choked on jalapeno peppers and hit her head on a bathtub after falling from Gharrett’s arms.

Man accused of selling crack to an undercover officer

A drug investigation in Spring Valley came down to an undercover bust in a parking lot.  Marcelus Britt of Spring Valley was arrested by officers with TRIDENT Wednesday afternoon.

          Police say Britt sold crack cocaine to an undercover cop while outside of a business on Fourth Street.  Britt was arrested for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and resisting and obstructing police.  More charges are possible.  He was taken to the Bureau County Jail with his bond set at $70,000.

Sidewalk chalk drawings and Canal Market planned for La Salle

          The sidewalks will be the canvass for kids in La Salle.  Kids can participate in a sidewalk chalk drawing contest Saturday morning.  Registration is from 9:30-10:30am at Tri-City Frock Shoppe on First Street.  Prizes will be award for different age groups.

          If you’re too old to be drawing on sidewalks, you can stop by the Canal Market that will be set up in the La Salle State Bank parking lot.

Driver arrested for felony DUI after crash in La Salle

          Big rigs and alcohol don’t mix.  Police believe the man driving a semi tractor that hit an SUV in La Salle Thursday was drunk.  Mark Slimko of La Salle was arrested for felony DUI, no insurance, improper lane usage and not slowing down to avoid a crash.

Police say Slimko was on Joliet when he crossed into oncoming traffic and hit Judith Gedraitis of Peru.  Gedraitis’ SUV was knocked onto its side and she was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital for treatment. 

The wreck snarled traffic for about 40 minutes.  Slimko was being held in the La Salle County Jail.  The semi was owned by Envoy Logistics of La Salle.

Boat Races Begin In DePue

Racing is underway in DePue!

Today is the first of three days of championship boat racing on Lake DePue.  Last year over 200 boats competed with drivers from 23 states.

Besides the races, there are also beer gardens, food stands, a carnival and live music tonight from “Last Call”.  Cost of watching the races is 3 dollars.

Streator Man Gets Day At Fair

If there’s something going on in Streator that involves tourism or a festival, chances are Ed Brozak had a part in planning it.

Brozak has been named one of 10 “Illinoisans of the Day” for this year’s state fair.  On Saturday August 17^th, Brozak will be the fair’s special guest.  He’ll be publicly introduced, receive gifts, and receive a personal proclamation from Governor Pat Quinn.

Brozak was nominated by Streator Mayor Jimmie Lansford.  Brozak is not only a city council member but serves on the Streator Tourism Council.  He started the Planet Pluto Festival and also helped bring a new band shell to the city park.

Ottawa Festival Will Include A “Zombie Run”

The zombie craze is still going strong and it’ll be a big part of this year’s Scarecrow Festival in Ottawa.

The Ottawa Downtown Merchants ZOMBIE 5k Run/Walk is September 28^th starting at 9 in the morning.  Each runner or walker will have a set of flags and the last one with a flag remaining wins.  “Zombies” will be roaming the course along the canal and river in Ottawa.

Pre-registration is 25 dollars with the Ottawa Visitor’s Center.  If you sign up for the zombie race after September 1^st, it costs 35 bucks.