Rezin is sponsoring a bill to protect animals

The animals living in shelters deserve a nice home with food, water and a responsible owner.  And often animals are adopted or purchased by caring people who will do a fine job looking after them.  But that isn’t always the cause.

State Senator Sue Rezin is sponsoring a bill that would add people convicted of animal abuse in Illinois to the Do Not Adopt Registry.  Rezin says this would be a resource to breeders, pet stores and shelters. The database will be administered by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. It would include people convicted of animal abuse and neglect, dog fighting and related crimes.  Rezin says Illinois is the first state to propose the legislation.

Voters have options when it comes to Bureau County Sheriff nomination

While there are a lot of uncontested races on primary ballots, county sheriff is a popular position in Bureau and Putnam Counties.

In Bureau County, four Republicans are fighting it out to be their party’s nominee for sheriff.  The nominees are: James Shipp, a commander with the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office; Alexander Arauza with the Princeton PD; William Rosenow, mayor of Sheffield and one time appointed sheriff and retired state trooper; and Allan Beaber, retired Princeton police officer.

For Democrats, patrol sergeant James Reed with the sheriff’s office is running unopposed.  Current Sheriff, Democrat John Thompson is not seeking re-election.

In Putnam County, incumbent sheriff Kevin Doyle is looking for a fifth term.  He’ll have to beat Granville Police Chief Kevin Moore in the Democratic primary.  There is no Republican sheriff candidate in Putnam County.

In La Salle County, incumbent Republican Sheriff Tom Templeton will face Democrat Rodney Hampton in November.  Templeton beat Hampton easily in the 2010 election.

Taco bar to benefit IVAR

Tacos are great to eat but can be messy to cook and clean up afterwards.  Skip the cooking and the cleaning and visit the DePue VFW Saturday for a taco bar.  It’s a fundraiser for Illinois Valley Animal Rescue.

Heidi Milner says it’s something to help the shelter that has taken in quite a few cats and dogs during the cold winter.  IVAR’s largest fundraiser, an annual auction at Grand Bear Lodge, is a month away.  The taco bar is from 5-9pm Saturday.  It’s all you can eat for $8.

Learn more about IVAR’s upcoming fundraisers by listening to an interview that’s up at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Governor And Attorney General Give Go Ahead For Gay Marriage Licenses

CHICAGO (AP) – Attorney General Lisa Madigan is telling Illinois’ county clerks they have the right to immediately issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Madigan issued the guidance yesterday in response to a question from the Macon County Clerk. Gov. Pat Quinn says every county clerk in Illinois should quickly follow Madigan’s guidance.

State law legalizing same-sex marriage takes effect June 1st. But a federal judge in Chicago ruled Feb. 21st that Illinois’ original ban was unconstitutional. That means there’s nothing to stop couples from marrying now.

L-P Students Join The End The “R Word” Movement

Did you know that Wednesday, March 5th is National “Spread the Word to End the Word Day”?

At L-P, students and staff are being urged to sign a pledge to stop saying the “R-word” during their lunch hour.  Everyone who has a “Spread the word” shirt is also being asked to wear it to school.

The school produced a video bringing awareness to stopping the “R-word”.  You can find the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xw5zfYAeN2k

Bullet Turns Up In Local Elementary School Library

There were some anxious moments at Midland Elementary School in Lacon.

School officials say a .22 caliber bullet was found in the school library Tuesday.  The Lacon Police Department responded to the school and did a locker search.  No other bullets or a gun were found.

The elementary school was never dismissed.