West Nile virus surveillance to begin in La Salle County

Can you spot a blue jay or a robin? The La Salle County Health Department wants your help for a special kind of bird watching. Starting Thursday they’ll be taking dead birds for West Nile virus surveillance.

It’s become an annual program. West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and can sicken people, birds, horses and other animals.

The health department will take dead robins, sparrows, crows, wrens and other area birds that have no obvious cause of death.

“Strip” lawsuit will cost La Salle County taxpayers

The total price tag for the Dana Holmes-La Salle County settlement is 485 thousand dollars.

According to the NewsTribune, the county paid $355,000 to Holmes and five other people who complained of mistreatment at the La Salle County Jail. The county also shelled out over $130,000 for legal representation.

The county’s insurance will cover about $64,000 of the cost with taxpayers footing the rest of the bill. That means about $6 per property tax bill.

2014 “Concerts for a Cause” season starts with country show

Lou’s LaGrotto’s “Concerts for a Cause” series is going country again.

Concert organizer Merry Noonan has announced her first concert of 2014. The Sunday, July 13th show features two up and coming country artists, Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell.

Rhett’s debut album “It Goes Like This” has reached number two on the country chart with the song of the same name reaching number one.

Swindell’s self-titled debut album has reached number two on the charts with his song “Chillin’ It” climbing to the top spot.
Ticket information for the show will be announced at a later date.

New Facebook page and revamped website for Ottawa government

Some cities are slower to change than others, especially when it comes to social media.

You can now follow happenings with the city of Ottawa government on its new Facebook page. Just search City of Ottawa Illinois Government.

Besides joining the Facebook age, Ottawa officials have also revamped their city website to make it more user friendly. You can make payments on the site along with getting permits, check out maps and follow what the city council has been up to.

The web address is still www.cityofottawa.org.