Gov. promises $3.8 million for local road projects

There’s no doubt local roads need a lot of work.  Route 71, Route 170 and even Shooting Park Road are scheduled for repairs using money from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Governor Pat Quinn’s office announced Friday that $3.8 million was coming out of the Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program for roads in La Salle and Putnam Counties.

Several of the projects involve bridge replacements near Granville, Ottawa, Seneca and Streator.

Bureau County Board Member Dies After Fight With Cancer

A longtime Bureau County board member has lost a year-long battle with cancer.

51-year old Rob Pozzi died Wednesday.  Pozzi was first elected to the Bureau County Board in 2000.  His district covers the west side of Spring Valley and unincorporated areas towards DePue.  Pozzi was also a Hall Township Trustee.

You can find service details for Rob Pozzi by clicking http://wlpoamandfm.com/display.asp?page=236&name=Obituaries

Body Found Along I & M Canal La Salle

An autopsy is planned today on a woman who was found dead under the Route 351 bridge in La Salle.

Conservation Police Sgt. Hank Frazier says La Salle Police got a call just before two Thursday afternoon about a body found along the I & M Canal.  Frazier says two women walking the canal path noticed the body.

The woman’s name is not being released yet.  Frazier says she’s middle-aged.

The death is under investigation by conservation police, La Salle Police, the La Salle County Coroner’s Office and the Illinois State Police.

Another Heroin Arrest In The Illinois Valley

The fight to keep heroin out of your neighborhood continues in the Illinois Valley.

Peru and La Salle officers arrested Jason Anderson at his house on St. Vincent’s Avenue Thursday in La Salle.  Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says they’ve been watching Anderson for quite a while for allegedly dealing heroin.

He was picked up on a felony warrant for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.  Anderson was taken to the La Salle County Jail where his bond was set at $500,000.

He’s due in court Friday.

Last Minute Polling Place Changes In La Salle County

You can add a beauty salon to the polling places this month in La Salle County.

Less than two weeks for the primary, seven polling places had to be changed in La Salle County because the original polling locations became unavailable.  Six of the seven new polling places affect Ottawa voters while the other is in Somonauk.  TJ’s Country Salon is the new voting location in Somonauk.

Anyone affected by a new polling place will be mailed replacement voter ID cards.

Large Mushroom Hunt Returning To Ottawa With New Wrinkles

Organizers of the 4^th annual Midwest Morel Fest in Ottawa hope mushrooms and beer mix well together.

The newest addition to the two-day mushroom festival is a beer tasting contest featuring brewing clubs from around the Midwest.  Also new to the festival is a 500 dollar award for the largest mushroom found during the event’s morel hunt.

Midwest Morel Fest happens May 2^nd and 3^rd in and around downtown Ottawa.  Back for another year will be a championship morel hunt with cash prizes, morel auction, and a “morel university” where beginner morel hunters are taught what to look for while hunting for mushrooms.