Local news after CBS World News 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Coronavirus cases on the rise again as county reaches 289th fatality
New cases are outpacing recoveries again in the LaSalle County Health Department’s daily statistics. The department on Wednesday reported 44 new cases for 11,745 so far. And there were 21 recoveries for 9,802 so far. That leaves 1,943 current cases. A man in his 60’s died of the virus, making fatal case number 289.… read more »

City commissioner promises pedestrian bridge repair this year
For a year-and-a-half, pedestrians have been stepping onto Champlain St. to cross Goose Creek. The pedestrian bridge has been closed, in need of repairs. Ottawa City Commissioner Marla Rodriguez promises it will be fixed and reopened this year. She says the work got delayed because of the pandemic last year.… read more »

Utilities remind you to call before you dig
As people start digging for various reasons this spring, Nicor Gas wants them to remember to call 811 first. JULIE, the Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators service, will send people out to mark where the underground wires and pipes are. Nicor Gas spokesman Bernie Anderson says just call three business days in advance. The…… read more »

Nurses have two options to get their degree.
Illinois Valley Community College is partnering with the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville School of Nursing on a registered nurse to bachelors program. The “Pathway RN/BS Program” allows the transfer of credits from IVCC to SIUE so students can complete a nursing baccalaureate. IVCC Director of Nursing Programs Jennifer Grobe explains what counseling students will get when…… read more »

Johnson and Johnson vaccine paused; clinic still going on
The large vaccination clinic at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby is still on for tomorrow after news broke about an issue with the single dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine. However you’ll have to be ready to come back in a month because the Lasalle County Health Department says they will now utilize the Moderna…… 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.