Final numbers in for local suicide prevention walk

The final numbers are in for a suicide awareness and prevention walk that was held in Peru. The annual La Salle County Out of the Darkness Walk on September 7 raised just over $23,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The goal was to raise $15,000.

The walk included family members and friends of people that committed suicide and speakers who talk about grief and suicide prevention. It was held at Baker Lake in Peru. The top individual walker was Joyce McCullough, President Media Operations of Miller Group Media. The top team was Bobby’s Buddies.

Local men faces charges out of state

A man wanted out of Wisconsin was arrested in Ottawa.  Nathan Rone of Ottawa was arrested Tuesday on a Rock County, Wisconsin warrant for reckless endangerment with a dangerous weapon.  Rone was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

In an unrelated investigation, Andrew Stegall of La Salle was recently arrested on Colorado warrant related to a sexual assault investigation. The La Salle Police Department says further charges are pending against Stegall, who was being held in the La Salle County Jail.

New trial date for Oglesby eaglet handler

A second trial for an Oglesby man who is in trouble for handling baby eaglets will happen next year.

Steve Patterson was in front of Judge Dan Bute Wednesday morning. Bute set February 23 as a new trial date. A jury deadlocked earlier this month during a first trial where Patterson faced charges of illegally handling the protected species near his home.

Patterson says he was just trying to save the eagles.

Work underway to remove old bridge approach

Heavy equipment is digging away at the old Route 51 bridge approach in La Salle. Work to remove the retaining walls and concrete pads from the old bridge is going as scheduled according Dave Blanchette with the Illinois Capital Development Board.

The goal is to allow for more level ground and an improved view near Lock 14 and the Illinois and Michigan Canal. RNR Trucking of Morris is doing the work $222,000.

Weather permitting, he says the job should completed by the middle of November.

Voter turnout expected to be similar to the last midterm election

Is there enough intrigue to make you vote in the upcoming election?

La Salle County Clerk JoAnn Caretto says so far over a thousand of you have already voted using a combination of early votes or voting in person with an absentee ballot. Her office has also mailed out over 2,800 absentee ballots including a couple to overseas voters.

As for projecting the voter turnout for the midterm election, Caretto guesses around 50%. The last election headlined by the governor’s race had a voter turnout of 47% in La Salle County.

Annual Veteran’s Day Parade and Air Show returning to Utica

Have you thanked a veteran lately? There will be plenty of chances to this Sunday in Utica.

The village is hosting its 8th annual Veteran’s Day Parade and Air Show starting at 1pm. On the ground there will be an army band, Chicago Police bagpipe group, military vehicles, veteran’s groups and floats. In the air above Utica will be a World War Two bomber and Lima Lima Air Show.

Correction:  There will not be activities at the park following the parade.

Route 52 crash leaves two people injured

A day after a crash that stopped traffic on Route 52, a man is in critical condition. James Stewart of Newark was flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove after his semi crashed with car near Sheridan Tuesday morning.

Police say Stewart was heading west on Route 52 when a car pulled out from a county road and the two collided.

Pamela Anderson of Millington taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa and was ticketed for disobeying a traffic control device.