Local news after CBS World News 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ottawa Chamber gives director retirement party
With just a few weeks left in his time as the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce’ executive director, the Chamber threw a retirement party for Boyd Palmer a few nights ago. His son, Mark Palmer, explained there’s much more to his father than the job he’s had for 15 years. Boyd Palmer thanked everyone for…… read more »
Cusick defense team maintains death by overdose: Forensic pathologist disagrees
The defense team for 52-year-old Ken Cusick – who is accused of killing his wife Tracy – says that she could have died from a deadly combination of narcotics and alcohol. Attorney Ryan Hamer noted Friday that death by irregular heartbeat, caused by drug use, wouldn’t show up in an autopsy. Forensic Pathologist Scott Denton…… read more »
Freezin for a Reezin vital for food pantry
Story by Martha Hoffman Volunteers are collecting food today at Handy Foods for the annual Freezin for a Reezin food drive supporting the Community Food Basket of Ottawa that serves five area communities. Todd Conroy organizes volunteers for the Freezin for a Reezin food drive, and he invites people to come help and donate at…… read more »
Ottawa to ask for $6.6 million in property taxes
Ottawa City Hall’s tax levy request for next year is $6.662 million. Treasurer Don Harris says it’s up from $6.266 million this year. Harris says the city expects more support for pensions in the coming year. The City Council put the levy request on file this week and is expected to vote on it later…… read more »
Injury and plumbing experts on the stand in Cusick murder trial
(PHOTO: Toby Hayes testifies) Prosecutors called two expert witnesses to testify in the murder trial of 52-year-old Ken Cusick on Thursday. Toby Hayes is an injury-biomechanics expert. He studies how people get hurt. Ken Cusick told police in 2006 that he found his wife Tracy kneeling in front of the toilet with her face underwater.…… read more »
Rick Koshko
Rick Koshko lived the first half of his life in southern Illinois, then moved to Ottawa early in his broadcasting career. His first thoughts of broadcasting as a career occurred to him at age five–when it was bed time and he realized the guy on the radio didn’t have to go to bed yet. Some irony: for most of the time he’s worked in radio, Rick has had to get up very early in the morning to be on the air, sometimes in addition to being up late at night like he wanted.
Rick is a graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s broadcasting program. He speaks Esperanto, likes astronomy (SkyCaramba), and makes a hobby of photography.
Ethan Kruger
Ethan Kruger started his broadcasting career in college after realizing that he liked hearing himself talk a little bit too much. After a brief stint of spinning records at Eastern Illinois University’s student FM station, Ethan realized his love for reporting the news. He loves where he works and is always excited to discuss what’s happening in the community. Ethan sees it as a privilege to serve the good people of LaSalle County through broadcasting.
Ethan likes board games, the outdoors, and watching all the different versions of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner.