Cops 4 Cancer fundraising event to start Saturday

It’s Cops 4 Cancer week in the Illinois Valley.

The 12th annual fundraiser starts at noon Saturday at Cerri Memorial Park in Cedar Point. Several bands will play late into the night including “Brushville”. A $20 ticket gets you live music plus food, water and soda.

Cops 4 Cancer involves law enforcement from Illinois Valley who raise money to assist people stricken with cancer. Money is spent on things like rent, medical or utility bills. Since 2011, the group has donated over $425,000 to nearly 200 families.

As always, you can catch a ride to Cops 4 Cancer by hopping on a bus at either: Machelle’s Backstreet; Elle’s; Edges; Jake’s; Lizzy’s; or Clover Club.

Mautino to undergo surgery on Thursday

The next step in State Representative Frank Mautino’s battle against cancer is surgery.

Mautino says he will have what’s called an esophagectomy later this month. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer during a visit to the doctor earlier this year.

Mautino has undergone chemotherapy and a combination of chemo and radiation treatment. He says his prognosis remains good.

“America in Bloom” judges in Ottawa this week

Ottawa is once again putting its best green thumb forward in winning the national “America in Bloom” contest.

Judges from Florida and California will be in Ottawa Monday and Tuesday checking out places like the Reddick Mansion and Allen Park.

Ottawa won the America in Blooming championship last year for its beautification efforts involving planting of trees, plants and flowers.

This years winners will be announced in September.

Leland woman faces battery, criminal trespass to property charges

A Leland woman is in hot water after allegedly getting rough with police officers and trying to break into houses and cars.

Shortly before eight Sunday night, La Salle County deputies responded to the Leland area for a report of a woman attempting to break into several houses and cars.

When deputies found Jennifer Rasmussen and asked her about the break-ins, she became combative and was subsequently charged with four counts of assault, three counts of criminal trespass to property, aggravated battery to a peace officer and resisting a peace officer.

Rasmussen was taken to the La Salle County Jail.