WGFA NEWS NOTES FOR Tuesday, October 30, 2007 >

First day candidate filings for 2008 Illinois Primary….. Iroquois County ethanol plant proposal on agenda for Zoning Board of Appeals…… Bus accident in K3 County……

A SUNNY TUESDAY IN STORE, HIGH NEAR 68. SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 5-15 MPH.

–MORE AREA NEWS ON WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

* Heartland Spa in Gilman: WGFA’s FEATURED BUSINESS-OF-THE-DAY.*

• River Valley Metro reports ridership in its entire system has increased 23% during the first quarter of the fiscal year. Each month since July 1, 2007 ridership was up over the same time last year. August was an exceptional month, breaking the ridership records on nine of the eleven routes. August also recorded a record number of total riders at 49,771.
• Global Renewable Energy brings its proposal for an ethanol plant before the Iroquois County Zoning Board of Appeals tonight. A 7 pm meeting is scheduled at the Administrative Center in Watseka. The company is seeking to locate a facility on 44 acres west of Watseka on Route 24 at County Highway 1800.
• The Green Party making its mark in Iroquois County. Green candidate Vincent Lamie was among the first filers in the county for the 2008 Primary Election. The Milford resident will seek a county board seat in District 5. Watseka attorney Dale Strough will run for State’s Attorney on the Green ticket. Elected office-holders filing petitions Monday included Republicans Jim Devine for State’s Attorney, Coroner Bill Cheatum and Lisa Hines for Circuit Clerk.
• The filing period continues through Monday, November 5th. The State Board of Elections stamped petitions Monday for a record number of 650 candidates.
• A school bus accident in Kankakee County Monday. A Herscher school district bus clipped a semi in Salina Township about 4 pm. No injuries were reported. There were 10 students on the bus at the time.
• KAMEG agents arrested 25-year-old Charles Davis of Kankakee after Davis allegedly delivered crack cocaine in the 400-block of S. Washington AV. The arrest was made during an undercover investigation.
• A Methamphetamine Awareness Community Forum invites citizens to hear about the dangers of meth. The forum is November 7th at the Buckley American Legion from 7-9 pm. Registration is requested. Call the Ford-Iroquois Extension office at 815-268-4051.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

This week’s Direct Support Professional is an unsung hero in every department. She has worked at George Ade Memorial Health Care Center for over 15 years. She’s been everything from a nurse’s aide to restorative care and is currently the medical records supervisor. The residents adore her and will ask for her. She will go out of her way to assist her patients and she has even stopped by their houses on her way home from work to see if they need anything. This mother of three lives in Morroco and we are pleased to announce that Valarie Juhl (pronounced Jewel) is our Direct Support Professional of the Week.

Nominated by Donna Tegtmeyer and the rest of the staff at the George Ade Memorial Health Care Center.

Oct. 27
.43 Watseka (WGFA)
.55 Watseka (Booi)
.40 Sheldon (Disosway)
.70 Buckley (Seggebruch)

Oct. 26

.60 Gilman (Dexter)
.50 Cissna Park (Eisenmann)

WGFA NEWS NOTES FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2007 >

FILING PERIOD BEGINS FOR ILLINOIS POLITICAL HOPEFULS…..STROUGH MAKES BID FOR IROQUOIS COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY….. HEALTH OFFICIALS PROMOTE SAFE HALLOWEEN…… PICKERING EARNS AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH DEPARTMENT……

A FROSTY MONDAY MORNING, A FROST ADVISORY WAS ISSUED BY THE NWS THROUGH 8 AM. OTHERWISE, SUNNY WITH A HIGH NEAR 63. WINDS AT 5-15 FROM THE SOUTHWEST.

–More area news on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

** WGFA’s Featured Business of the Day KIDS AT HEART in Watseka**

• A line of people is expected at the State Board of Elections in Springfield today. It’s the first day of filing for candidates in Illinois. Today is the kick-off for the political season; the earliest kickoff for the primary elections in Illinois history. Elections have been moved up by six weeks. In presidential election years, national nominees have tended to be picked by the time Illinois primary voters went to the polls.
• Watseka attorney Dale Strough is making another bid for the state’s attorney’s office in Iroquois County. Strough announced his Green Party candidacy last week to seek the office in the November 2008 general election.
• Ford-Iroquois Public Health Administrator John Pickering has been honored by the Pledge for Life Partnership. He’s the 2007 recipient of the Collaboration Award. Under the guidance of Pickering, the Health department has been a champion in the fight against underage drinking and childhood obesity. Pickering has also committed the health department in efforts to better manage emergenct response and crisis management.
• Health officials and law enforcement are stressing safety as Halloween nears. Trick ‘R Treat hours have been announced for several ommunities. Parents are urged to make sure children are accompanied by an adult as they go door-to-door Wednesday. Make sure costumes fit properly and only visit those homes you’re familiar with.
• In Sports—the Central Comets and the South Newton Rebels were weekend winners in high school football. Both clubs advance to the next round of prep playoffs this next weekend. WGFA will follow both teams.

94.1 FM, WGFA — since 1961

WGFA NEWS FOR Friday, October 26, 2007 >

George Ryan’s appeal denied, more strategy ahead….. Green Party candidate Dale Strough enters race for Iroquois State’s Attorney….. Bus accident in Manteno, Staph infection confirmed at Herscher school….. Area football teams enter post-season……

Chance of rain showers today in Illiana, high near 61. A low of 49 and an 80% chance of rain tonight for high school football. Saturday, rain and high near 54. Sunday calls for Sunny skies and a high at 54.

–Area news available on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• Former Illinois Governor George Ryan lost an appeal of his corruption and fraud convictions, and could soon be reporting to federal prison. The U-S 7th Court of Appeals ruled Thursday to uphold the convictions. Ryan has one possible appeal left, to the U-S Supreme Court. Experts say the high court will probably decline to hear the appeal.
• One of Ryan’s attornies, former Governor Jim Thompson, says he wants the Supreme Court to consider Ryan’s constitutional right to a fair trial, which he says was violated in several ways. Ryan has been free at home in Kankakee awaiting the disposition of his appeal.
• Watseka attorney Dale Strough is a Green Party candidate for State’s Attorney in Iroquois County. Strough will challenge incumbent James Devine in the November 2008 general election. Strough announced his candidacy Thursday. In a prepared press release, he states this will be a ‘David vs Goliath’ contest against dominant and controlling partisan political interests. The County Electoral Commission rejected Strough’s petition in 2004, denying him access to the ballot for the same political post.
• Kankakee County Recorder of Deeds Dennis Coy is endorsing Bruce Adams in the upcoming race for the office Coy now holds. Coy and Adams served together as trustees in the Village of Bradley. Village trustee Lori Gadbois is also seeking the seat along with a possible run by Kankakee alderwoman Sheryl Jones. All are Democrats. The lone announced Republican candidate is Kelly McLaran, a member of the County Board.
• Three Manteno students were slightly injured in a school bus mishap Thursday. School officials called the injuries “minor.” The bus was carrying 28 students when the accident happened near county road 9000 N, west of I-57.
• Herscher school officials are confirming a staph infection at the Reddick School. A letter was sent home to parents informing them of a drug-resistant staph infection. The MRSA-related infection finds the student needing a doctor’s release before being allowed to return to school.
• High School football teams open post-season play-off action this weekend. Tonight’s games finds Watseka at Flanagan, Herscher at Genoa-Kingston, Bradley-Bourbonnais at Geneva…all 7 pm contests. Central hosts Lanark Saturday at 3 pm. McNamara is at Addison-Driscoll at 1 pm Saturday.

“94.1 FM, WGFA — “Your Illiana News Source”

WGFA NEWS NOTES FOR Thursday, October 25, 2007 >

WATSEKA MAN FACES NEW DRUG CHARGES….. PONTIAC TEEN APPEARS IN COURT ON WEAPONS CHARGES…… WEEKEND PLANS FOR A FAMILY FUN & FITNESS FAIR IN WATSEKA…….

A CLOUDY THURSDAY IN STORE WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS TODAY IN ILLIANA. HIGH NEAR 60 DEGREES.

– View more Area News on WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• The public is invited to the Family Fun and Fitness Fair Saturday at the new Iroquois Regional Health Center in Watseka. Iroquois Memorial Hospital and Resident Home has gathered support from several area organizations in setting up the event, which includes exhibits, free health screenings and a Flu Shot Clinic. The Fitness Fair runs from 7:30 am ’til 11 am. WGFA will broadcast live.
• The rumor mill ran wild at Kankakee High School yesterday. School officials held a special meeting last evening to review safety policy, but there was no violence involved. School officials spent Wednesday trying to deal with fears from students and parents after what a school press release called “rumors” running rampant ended the school day early. The Press Release states “contrary to rumors, there were no fights, no guns, no shootings, or use of tasers that occurred at the Kankakee high school Wednesday.” The Releases stated ‘the use of cell phones helped rumors proliferate which caused several parents to remove their students from school. The high school was already dismissing early for other reasons, but students were dismissed at 11:30 instead of the scheduled 1:05 early dismissal.
• 26-year-old Carlos Holmes of Watseka is jailed in Iroquois County following a narcotics investigation. Watseka Police report the arrest after a search warrant was executed at Holmes’ residence Tuesday. Holmes was already awaiting a December 3rd sentencing date for an earlier drug possession conviction when authorities got him again. He’s charged this time with Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Cannabis and Drug Paraphernalia. More arrests are expected.
• Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police returned from Ford County yesterday with 58-year-old William Britt. He was wanted on a warrant for Failure to Appear on an erler charge of Criminal Sexual Abuse. The victim was allegedly under the age of 13.
• A Pontiac HIgh School student facing weapons charges has waived a jury trial. Judge Harold Frobish will instead will listen to the evidence and decide the fate of 16-yr-old Sean Sullivan of Odell. Sullivan is charged with a dozen weapons possession offenses, six of them accusing him of bringing guns on a school bus and then into the school. He is charged as an adult. A 15-yr-old—Martin Huerta of Saunemin—faces the same charges and also cocaine possession.

“Your Illiana News Source” —- 94.1 FM, WGFA

Kristin ~ I have a 3 book series to recommend!! A friend recommended this series last winter. It literally took me a little over 1 week to read all three books. You have to read them in order as each book is a continuation from the previous storyline.

~ Born In Fire
~ Born In Ice
~ Born In Shame

By Nora Roberts

WGFA NEWS NOTES FOR Wednesday, October 24, 2007 >

Iroquois County may get offer for Section 8 Housing….. Clark sentenced to 10-years for DUI….. Onarga man injured in rollover mishap…..Chatsworth man pleads guilty to molesting 2 girls…..Man pulled from Dam at Monticello, IN ……

Weather—a Breezy Wednesday, winds from the northeast at 15-20 mph. High near 59. A 30% chance of showers Thursday. More weather data at wgfaradio.com

** GRISWOLD FEED, WATSEKA….your old-fashioned feed store where service counts—-WGFA’s FEATURED BUSINESS OF THE DAY. **

–More area news at WGFA NEWS LINKS.–

• An audit shows the Danville Housing Authority spent less than the required 95% of its Section 8 money. So officials are investigating possibly expanding to Iroquois County as a way to spend more of its money. The housing authority meets Thursday to discuss the audit. The authority’s executive director, Greg Hilleary, says Iroquois County doesn’t have a housing authority; no one’s serving Section 8 here. Hilleary says there’s a lot of rural communities that could use the service. The matter is expected to be addressed by the Iroquois County Board.
• An Onarga man was taken to Carle Hospital in Urbana after a colission between his car and a semi last night near Loda. 28-year-old David Barber suffered serious injuries, according to state police. Barber was trailing a semi tractor-trailer on U-S 45 when the semi slowed for a turn. Police said Barber failed to slow and swerved to avoid the rig. Barber’s car left the roadway and overturned, partially ejecting the driver. The truck driver, Bradley haines of Lebanon, IN was not injured. Barber was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed.
• A Kankakee man was sentenced to 10-years in prison for yet, another DUI conviction. 45-year-old Terry Clark has a history of DUI’s. Judge Scott Swaim also ordered a five-year concurrent term for driving with a revoked license. Clark’s name made news in 1997 when he slammed a car in Iroquois County killing two sisters from Ogden. He served 12 years after pleading guilty to reckless homicide. After his parole, he was stopped by state police and arrested again for DUI during a roadside safety check in Kankakee. He’s been jailed since his arrest in 2004 and could be out again in less than two years.
• A Chatsworth man has admitted to molesting two girls. 28-year-old Clifton Olds plead guilty to sexually abusing a five-year-old this past year and an eight-year-old girl in 2001. The charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse calls for a possible seven year prison term. A tentative sentencing date is set for early December.
• An Ashkum man was convicted Tuesday in Iroquois Court for DUI from a 2006 case. 23-year-old Tyler Dixon was found guilty of DUI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident. Judge Scott Swaim presided at the bench trial. Dixon was accused of leaving a business in L’Erable and hitting two vehicles before leaving the scene. Testimony revealed Dixon’s blood alcohol content was measured at 2.52. Assistant State’s Attorney Alex O’Brien prosecuted for the State. Dixon was defended by attorney Joe Anthony. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11th.
• In Indiana—a man cleaning turbines on the Norway Dam in Monticello is being treated following an underwater accident. The unidentified contractor was trapped for at least 10 minutes this morning. He was unresponsive upen being rescued. Water pressure in the dam trapped the man agfainst the wall. A second diver was not able to free the co-worker alone.

“Your Illiana News Source” —- 94.1 FM, WGFA

I would like to contribute. I am an avid reader — mostly historical fiction. “Gone With The Wind” used to be my favorite, but …. I’ve discovered John Jakes who is a wonderful, prolific writer. The series from “The Bastard” all the way up to “The North and South” is wonderful.

I recently discovered Greg Matthews’ “Heart of the Country” which is one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is a masterful epic of the western frontier — a big, sprawling novel of the West as it really was.

And Matthews’ “Power in the Blood” is every bit as good. It’s a powerful western saga of three orphans seperated in 1869 and the years it took for the family to re-unite.

I hold my favorite books close and re-read them. Even though I know what the ending is, I love to take the characters’ journey again — and learn something new each time I read a book.

Oh — I forgot “Scarlett” the “sequel” to GWTW. It’s a great book and a great movie! And the author, Alexandra Ripley, has several other books that are great reads, also.

Patty