Heads shaved in Ottawa Saturday

   Shaving your head is one thing…would you shave your eyebrows?  Some did just that in Ottawa today to raise money for research into childhood cancer.

   Rita Chovan is the local organizer for the annual St. Baldricks event at Jeremiah Joe’s in Ottawa. Chovan estimates $43,000 was raised on line and in person by 120 shavees. Some took the shaving further than their head, says Chovan, including shaving their eyebrows for money.  Chovan said no one backed out of the fun-filled event.

    The Utica Fire Department is sponsoring their 7th “headshaving” for St. Baldricks on March 30^th at Senica’s Oak Ridge. Doors open at noon. Chief Ben Brown says they’d like to raise 15,000. If you’d like to offer your head for shaving, contact the Department’s business office weekdays or go to st. baldricks dot org.

Hog Farm Proposed In Marshall County

What are your thoughts on hog farms?  The Marshall County Board could soon vote on whether or not to allow a hog farm northwest of Wenona.

Marshall County Engineer Patrick Sloan told the county board this week that a group called Sandy Creek Lane, LLC wants to run a hog farm that would have over five thousand breeding sows.  He says it would create up to 20 jobs and $17 million in development.

VMC Management Corporation out of Williamsburg, Iowa would run the hog farm.  They already run a dozen hog farms.

Several permits are needed and hearings will be held before the hog farm becomes reality.

“Boob-a-Palooza” Back For A Fifth Year

You can’t cure your neighbor of cancer but you can try to make life easier.

That’s what the people behind the 5th annual “Boob-a-palooza” are doing for people battling the disease in the Illinois Valley.  Organizer Betty Glynn says today’s even mixes fun with serious reflection.

“Boob-a-Palooza” starts at 4 Saturday afternoon inside Celebrations 150 in La Salle.  For 20 dollars you can enjoy food and music from six live bands.  There will also be drinks and raffles.

 

Proceeds go to Cops 4 Cancer.

Guilt Verdict In Shannon Washington Murder Trial

It’s life in prison for a woman who’s been found guilty of stabbing to death former Illinois Valley Community College All-American basketball player Shannon Washington.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, a Florida jury took four hours yesterday to find 23-year old Star Palmer guilty of first-degree murder.  She stabbed Washington to death in 2011 after Washington had finished up two years at IVCC and was set to play at Florida A&M University.

Palmer’s attorneys argued the relationship had a lot of problems and that Palmer acted out in self-defense.  Prosecutors though say Palmer planned out the murder sending her mom a text right before the murder saying she was sorry and “I’m going to kill her tonight”.

Among those testifying at the murder trial was Washington’s former coach at IVCC Pat Cinotte.

Time For Another Festive Parade In Utica

Utica is going green this weekend.

The 10^th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Utica gets going at five o’clock Saturday with the lineup at four.  Once the parade is over, many Utica bars and restaurants will offer Irish food specials and Irish music.

Jaimie London broadcasts live from Utica starting at 4 on 99.3 WAJK.