Area parks and festival draw well Saturday

The area’s parks and the annual wine Festival proved big draws this weekend.  Starved Rock State Park officials keep numbers for both Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.  Cheryl Barto, office manager for the Starved Rock Visitors Center said some 18-thousand were in Starved Rock Saturday and some 4200 were on trails in the Matthiessen Dells.

However, it was estimated some 7800 were in the Matthiessen State Park – above the Dells – enjoying the “Vintage Illinois” Wine Festival.

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Fundraisers coming to save Oglesby Pool

It would seem some Oglesby residents are serious about saving their town’s swimming pool.  2 fundraisers are planned within 3 days of each other at the end of the month.  Oglesby native Erin Shields and friends will perform an evening of Italian American songs at the IVCC Cultural Center at 7pm Wednesday, September 28.  Get your $20 ticket at City Hall or Lana Peterlin.

Then, that Saturday,  MJ’s Bar and Grill  and Tangled Roots Brewery provide food and beverage during “Celebrate in the Park”.  If you stop by Lehigh Park anytime between 10am and 10pm that day, you’ll find crafters and vendors, childrens games,  beer garden and Bocci and Bags Tournaments.  Steve Cerqua, Free Range Chickens, Higgins Brothers and others provide music.  There will be a 50/50 raffle.

Girl approached by stranger in Marseilles Saturday

Do small towns draw predators?  Marseilles Police stated Saturday  that it appears another attempted abduction was tried there.  The Police stated on Facebook  a girl under age 17 was approached by a white male on Clark Street Saturday asking if she wanted a free newspaper. The young girl said “no” and started walking away. The report says the man, who was on foot, followed her a short distance before returning to his 4-door, older model white Jeep Cherokee.

The guy was described as 5 foot 8,  black glasses with a  chubby build.  Another resident said they, too, had seen a similar vehicle Friday evening in the Bluff and Williams street area.  A white male was driving that vehicle. If you have information regarding this man, you’re asked to call Marseilles Police at 795-2131.

Alleged drug dealer in county jail

When police raided the Ottawa home of Louie Shaw last week, they found enough evidence to place Shaw in the county jail with a 2 million dollar bond.  Shaw is still there now.  In the alleged drug dealer’s residence were found items believed to be associated with drug dealing, a half-pound of purported cocaine and $800 dollars in cash.

Shaw was charged with unlawful possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, a Class X felony. He had his first court appearance Friday in Ottawa and is due back there for arraignment on September 23. If convicted, he could receive a sentence anywhere from 6 to 30 years in prison.

IVCC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Demonstrations of Mexican cooking, traditional and modern Hispanic dance and a discussion of undocumented immigrants are highlights of Hispanic Heritage Month at Illinois Valley Community College.  Jalapenos’ cooks will demonstrate cooking with tamales and salsa Monday at Noon in Room 123 of the Peter Miller Technology Center.  You can attend an hour of Hispanic dance in the Cultural Center at 5:30 this Wednesday. Attorney Sara Dady will discuss undocumented immigrants over the Noon Hour on October 5 in the Technology Center’s Rooms 124 and 125.

Events are sponsored by the college ‘s Diversity Team, Hispanic Leadership Team and the Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council.

LPHS Band win honors at Geneseo Saturday

The LP Marching Band did their thing in Geneseo Saturday and apparently did it quite well.  Superintendent Steve Wrobleski tweeted the band was named 2A champs and selected as best winds, best drums,  best color guard, and overall champions at the Geneseo High School Band Competition.