Deadly year on La Salle County roads

2014 will go down as a deadly year on La Salle County roads.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 23 people died last year in La Salle County crashes compared to 11 deaths in 2013. Only six of 102 counties in Illinois had more deaths on their roads than La Salle County last year.

Four people were killed in Bureau County crashes last year, compared to six in 2013. And in Putnam County, nobody was killed in a crash on state roads last year compared to two deaths in 2013.

Statewide, 909 people died on state roads last year, about 80 less than the year before.

Sales tax revenues continue upward trend in La Salle County

Based on sales tax revenues, many of you opened your wallets more in La Salle County in 2014 than you did the year before.

Sales tax revenues are up in eight of the nine months where they’ve been counted in 2014. The county received over $238k in sales tax revenues in September, a seven percent jump from September of 2013. Through September, you’ve paid $83k more towards the public safety sales tax this year compared to last.

Things like medicine, groceries and cars are exempt from the public safety sales tax.

Dalzell man facing charge he threatened public official

There are a variety of ways to harass someone. A man from Dalzell is accused of using a phone to do the deed.

Danny French was indicted this week in La Salle County Court for harassment by telephone. He’s also facing a charge of threatening a public official.

French posted five thousand dollars bond and was released from jail.

2014 brings more wedding bells in the Illinois Valley

Love was in the air more last year than in previous years in La Salle County.

La Salle County Clerk JoAnne Caretto says 800 marriage licenses were issued last year, up from 738 the year before and 752 two years ago. 2014 was the first year same-sex marriages happened in La Salle County and elsewhere helping to push the license up.

The uptick in marriages means more cash for the county. The county made $24,000 in marriage license fees.

It costs 30 bucks in La Salle County for a marriage license.