Local Officers Accept The “I-80” Challenge

If your day includes driving on Interstate 80, don’t be surprised to see a heavy police presence.

The state police district in La Salle is taking part in an 11-state traffic enforcement called “I-80 Challenge.”  Troopers in Illinois and elsewhere are trying to make the rest of the month fatality free on Interstate 80.  This after a study was done showing the last week of July as being the deadliest time of the year on I-80.

Lt. Randy Ness says it’s a team effort keeping the interstate safe.  Members of the Bureau and La Salle County Sheriff’s Department are helping with I-80 patrols and also IDOT with reminders of buckling up and not texting while driving on their message boards.

Ness says he’s really not sure the last week of July is a bad time for driving on I-80 other than maybe a lot of people are traveling on vacations.

Time To Raise Money For Special Olympics

If Elvis were alive, he may show up at Celebrations 150 this Thursday night.

The 11^th Annual Starved Rock Area Special Olympics fundraising auction has a theme of “Viva Las Vegas”.  Between 6 to 9 Thursday night there will be raffles, a silent auction, food and live music.  Cowboy from 96.5 the Wolf will be master of ceremonies.

Tickets for the fundraiser are 30 dollars a person and available by calling Cheryl De Paepe or clicking http://area16auction.eventbrite.com/

Miller Group Charitable Trust will match dollar for dollar the first 6 thousand dollars in contributions.  Miller Group Media includes WLPO AM and AM, 96.5 the Wolf, 99.3 WAJK, NewsTribune and AgriNews.

Local Trucker Facing Potential Prison Sentence

A La Salle truck driver who was allegedly driving drunk when he snarled traffic Thursday afternoon faces seven charges.

Mark Slimko was arraigned Friday in La Salle County court for felony DUI and six other traffic charges including failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving uninsured.  His bond was set at 20 thousand dollars.

Slimko was arrested after he crashed into an SUV Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Joliet and Third Streets in La Salle.  Officers say his blood alcohol level was more than two times the legal limit.

Two women in the SUV he hit were treated and released at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

Process To Replace Roth Is Underway

Are you looking for a new job?  How does being a state representative sound?

Applications are being accepted through August 6^th to fill out the remaining term of Republican Pam Roth of Morris.  Roth announced a few weeks ago she was going to resign later this summer to move out of state after because her husband accepted a job in Texas.

Republican county chairpersons in Grundy, La Salle, Kendall and Will County will interview applicants August 19^th according to La Salle County Republican Committee Chairwoman Susan Thornton.  Roth’s term runs through January of 2015.

Thornton won’t have all that much pull in the decision because only voters in places like Seneca and Sheridan are represented by the 75^th district.

Loses game to welcome first child

 Hunter Mahan gave up the lead in the Canadian Open when his wife went into labor, and Brandt Snedeker grabbed the top spot a few hours later Saturday. Mahan was 13 under after two rounds when he got a call saying wife Kandi had gone into labor with their first child, and he dropped out of the tournament to return home to Dallas to be with his wife.

Tragic end to youth camp trip

Investigators are trying to determine what caused a bus to filp over on an Indianapolis interstate, killing three people. The bus was carrying teenagers home from a youth camp in northern Michigan and was just a mile from its destination when the accident happened. Twenty-six people were taken to hospitals, and one teenager is in critical condition.

95-year old man vs tazer

A 95-year-old suburban Chicago man who pulled a foot-long knife and threatened police with a cane and a shoehorn has died after officers used a Taser and a bean bag gun to subdue him. The Sun-Times reports the man became upset after an ambulance crew in Park Forest tried to take him to a medical facility. That’s when authorities say John Warna used a metal cane and a two-foot-long metal shoehorn to threaten paramedics and police.

racing concludes on Lake Depue

Today is your last chance to enjoy the boat races on Lake Depue.  The food stands open at 11 with powerboat racing at Noon. You’ll also find a carnival and a beer garden.  It’s three dollars to watch the races.