March 10, 2026 | WALLS 102 - Part 20

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La Salle County unveils mobile command center

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With strong core returning, L-P softball looks to make deep postseason run

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La Salle County unveils mobile command center

Killer tornadoes have struck Utica, Ottawa, and Naplate. Flooding has become a frequent problem along the Illinois River. Fires are a perpetual threat.La Salle County has had many all-hands-on-deck incidents. Fred Moore decided the time had come to invest in a resource to help with the next crisis, whenever that may be.Moore, director of the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency, unveiled the “Mobile Operations & Communications Center.” At first blush, it lookslike a recreational vehicle used to dispense coffee at all-night emergency scenes. But Moore said the MOCC will serve as a command post during planned events as well as disasters.“It’s not a matter of if something happens in La Salle County,” Moore said, “it’s when it happens.”Moore had been pressing for a county-owned unit for three years and finally got the OK to order one in October 2024. County officials green-lit the $760,000 purchase and funded it through the quarter-cent public safety sales tax, which is levied on all retail purchases made within the county’s corporate limits. “We felt as though that was only fair, because we’re capturing sales tax from everybody, not just La Salle County residents,” Moore said. “It’s not property tax money that paid for it.”The MOCC will, among other things, provide on-scene command, coordination, and resilient communications when fixed facilities are damaged or inaccessible.The unit offers multiple features, including:Moore pointed out an additional function:“In addition to disaster response, if something were to happen to my office and I needed to relocate to an office, we could actually relocate here. It’s totally functional.”EMA took possession of the unit on Feb. 18. A test case is pending. Moore said the unit was requested for a missing person search, though the person was located before the unit could arrive on scene.While by no means eager for a test case or trial run, several public officials who went to Monday’s open house said they approved of the purchase.Tom Ganiere, public safety commissioner for the City of Ottawa and a longtime firefighter, rattled off a list of past disasters – the Ottawa and Utica tornadoes, the derecho storm – where the unit would have come in most handy.Ottawa Police Chief Mike Cheatham agreed a county-owned mobile unit will surely prove its value, doubly so because of the digital capabilities, “and being able to dispatch things out.”

With strong core returning, L-P softball looks to make deep postseason run

With a strong core of players returning from a team that won 30 games and went a perfect 10-0 in the Interstate 8 Conference, the La Salle-Peru softball team has high hopes entering the 2026 season.“Obviously, we would love to defend our conference title,” L-P coach Randy Huebbe said. “But more importantly, we definitely want a deep postseason run and bring home some plaques and a fairly large trophy.”In looking to win their first regional since 2013, the Cavaliers will rely on strong pitching and a high-powered offense.Senior Taylor Vescogni returns to lead a deep pitching staff.Last season, the Colgate University recruit went 19-3 with a 1.10 ERA and 249 strikeouts. She was named the Interstate 8 Conference Player of the Year.Senior Claire Boudreau also is back after going 6-1 with a 1.29 ERA and 72 strikeouts last season, while senior Brie Ruppert returns to the roster after sitting out last season. Ruppert pitched varsity as a sophomore. Junior Sydney Delphi, a varsity newcomer, also will log innings in the circle.“Pitching is an obvious strength with Vescogni returning,” Huebbe said. “She was a force last year and has now added a drop ball to her list of pitches. She will get a great majority of the starts, and we expect her to win a lot of games for us and probably set most of the pitching records at L-P.“Claire Boudreau was solid last season, and I expect her to continue that. Brie Ruppert looks very good, and Sydney Delphi will see some innings. Claire Boudreau, Brie Ruppert and Sydney Delphi would all be No. 1 starting pitchers elsewhere.”Offensively, the Cavs return most of their top weapons from an offense that averaged 7.3 runs per game last season.Seniors Karmen Piano (.400 average, 15 2B, 38 runs, 19 RBIs, 39 steals), Anna Riva (.377, 7 HR, 13 2B, 39 R, 35 RBI) and Kelsey Frederick (5 HR, 32 R, 27 RBI) and junior MaKenzie Chamberlain (.376, 5 HR, 8 2B, 31 RBI) all put up big numbers last spring.Piano was the team’s leadoff hitter last season, and Riva hit in the cleanup spot. Senior Lydia Steinbach could potentially move into the No. 2 spot due to her speed and ability to slap.“We’ve always seemed to be very good offensively, and this year is no different,” Huebbe said. “With five returning three- or four-year varsity starters back, I expect to once again be one of the higher scoring teams anywhere.”Defensively, Chamberlain returns behind the plate, Frederick is back at shortstop and Piano will once again patrol center field.Riva moves from first base to the outfield this season, while Steinbach returns to the outfield. Sophie Pyszka and Shayla Turczyn are vying to play second base; Turczyn and Maggie Boudreau will see time at third base. Maggie Boudreau can also play catcher and outfield. Dagny Greer will play first base, while Ruppert, Delphi and Claire Boudreau may see time at first base and designated player.“There should not be a drop off on defense with most everyone back,” Huebbe said.Huebbe said the Cavs beefed up the schedule this season. In addition to playing a challenging conference schedule, the nonconference slate includes nine regional champions from last season.“We have really tried to add some really good teams to the schedule to challenge this group,” Huebbe said.

La Salle County unveils mobile command center

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With strong core returning, L-P softball looks to make deep postseason run

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La Salle County unveils mobile command center

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With strong core returning, L-P softball looks to make deep postseason run

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Shaw Local Radio Podcast: Talk-Line with Brandon Clark interviews Courney Ligtenberg about private banking

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On this episode of Talk Line, host Brandon Clark talks with Courtney Ligtenberg from the 1st National Bank in Amboy about private banking, and how they can help customers leverage those services to enhance their financial portfolio.

BEST, Inc.’s no-cost work-experience program aims to strengthen Sauk Valley-area businesses

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Through BEST, Inc.’s Work Experience initiative, employers can host motivated job-seekers for short-term, hands-on training while BEST, Inc. covers the cost.

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