Cop impersonator won’t face charges

Authorities say a suspected police impersonator who stopped a teenage driver in the Madison, Wisconsin area has turned out to be a state agent. Town of Madison Police Chief Scott Gregory says 3 teenagers were pulled over earlier this month by a man who claimed to be an officer and pulled a gun on them.  But WISC-TV reports an investigator in the state Division of Criminal Investigation told his supervisor he was the officer police were looking for.

The police chief contacted the investigator and says his statement is similar to the one given by the teens. Police decided not to bring charges against the investigator, who is not being named.  A spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Department of Justice says the agent is on administrative leave, pending an internal investigation.

“Boob-a-Palooza” returns March 5th

The annual “Boob-a-palooza” is a week from Saturday in “Celebrations 150” starting at 4. Again, it’s organizer, Betty Glynn will have bands, food and presentations. $15 tickets and apparel are available at Rudy’s Liquors in LaSalle. After this Saturday, tickets are $20.

Music acts performing include “Joe Majors and Stage 2 Clingers”, “The Craigs”, “Kornfield”, “Marky D” and “303”.

The fundraiser helps “Cops 4 Cancer” by providing funds to families affected by cancer who have difficulty meeting payments for food, electricity or house payments.

Streator celebs bartend for Cancer Society

Ryan Reynolds – no, not the Hollywood actor , but a Streator firefighter – along with Chief Gary Bird – will celebrity bartend at Carbo’s  March 5 for “Relay for Life”.  Carbo’s, at 402 East Main in Streator is hosting the event from 7 – 12 midnight with a lot of Streator area celebs.

Jason Telford, Chuck and Aaron Chalkey, Ashley Fleming and others will work 1 hour shifts to raise funds for “Relay 4 Life” and American Cancer Society. A DJ will entertain along with raffles and a 50/50.

Skoog hosts Sportsman forum Thursday

Your new State Representative has been busy reaching out to his constituents. This week it’s hunting and fishing enthusiasts. Democrat State Rep. Andy Skoog is hosting a “Sportsman’s Forum” at 5 Thursday at the “Bone Shed” in Ottawa.

Included is a brief discussion of bills related to the outdoors now before the General Assembly. A representative of the state’s Rifle Association will cover second amendment rights and conceal and carry proposals. Skoog is holding the free event because he believes the area holds a deep connection with the outdoors and he wants to help ensure these past-times are available to future generations.

“The Bone Shed”, at 4200 MBL Drive.

Trump/Clinton becoming front runners?

Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton are cementing their status as presidential front-runners with strong performances among demographic groups at the core of their 2 parties. The developments put tremendous pressure on their top rivals as the nominating contests head into delegate-rich March.

Exit polls conducted for the Associated Press and television networks show it was Trump’s surprisingly strong performance among self-described evangelical conservatives in South Carolina that helped him notch another double-digit victory and sweep all 50 delegates. It was a grave blow to Ted Cruz, who invested heavily in his pursuit of religious conservatives here only to finish a narrow third behind Marco Rubio.

For Democrats, Clinton’s Nevada caucus victory over Bernie Sanders affirmed her strength among non-white voters, who, like white evangelicals for Republicans, will play key roles in upcoming primaries.

Among South Carolina Republicans who voted Saturday, more than 7 in 10 described themselves as born-again Christians. Those voters were slightly more likely to say they voted for Trump (33 percent) than Cruz (27 percent).

Michigan shooter worked for Uber

Uber says the suspect arrested in Saturday’s shooting rampage in Michigan was one of its drivers, but wouldn’t say if he was working for the ride-sharing service at the time of the slayings. Reports are 6 people were killed and 2 others seriously wounded. Authorities have identified the suspect as Jason Dalton, a 45-year-old from Kalamazoo Township with no criminal record.

Elementary District may make cuts

Mendota Elementary Superintendent Kristin School sees it this way. She told the News Tribune the district’s “working cash fund” may take a serious hit in the next 3 years, so it will become necessary to have a budget reduction. School said a deficit is anticipated this school year and next.

With that in mind, the Elementary school board meets at 6:30pm Monday and will likely vote on staff and program reductions for the 2016 -17 school year. They’ll meet in the Northbrook School band room.

Struggling homeowners can get help

Illinois will receive $114 million to help homeowners still struggling from the 2008 recession. The Sun-Times reports the money is on top of nearly $450 million the federal government has given the state since 2010 from an $8 billion account called the Hardest Hit Fund.

Late Dixon mayor recalls Crundwell

You’re considered a watchdog of city’s funds when you’re mayor. Dixon’s late mayor, Jim Burke probably never thought he’d have to call in the FBI to do so. Burke, whose last term was overshadowed by the Rita Crundwell scandal died Friday in his home, according to the Lee County Coroner.

The Dixon Telegraph said Burke and City Clerk Kathe Swanson alerted the feds to Crundwell’s suspicious bookkeeping. She was convicted in 2013 of stealing $53 million in city funds over 20 years and putting the funds into her own bank account. Much of it went into raising horses.

Burke, speaking at Starved Rock last June described the moment Rita Crundwell met the FBI. “Rita, I said, these three gentlemen would like to talk to you. She said, “Sure”. When the one agent pulled out his identification, the expression on her face never changed. Not one bit.”

Ag industry members traveling overseas

The Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation’s “Class of 2016” is now overseas. Among them are Farm Bureau members from Bureau and LaSalle County. The Foundation classes start every 2 years and study agriculture issues in and outside our borders. Members are mostly agri-business, but some are farm operators.

Now traveling Japan, are Jill Frueh, Bureau County Farm Bureau manager, Bradford farmer, Rob Sharkey and Streator sixth generation farmer Joel Barickman. Frueh told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” news the class will view Kobi beef and strawberry growing operations before seeing Panama’s expansion farms the next week. They will then return home. The group has been traveling the U.S. and will graduate in August.