January 10, 2025
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Arukah announces Ottawa mental health service center targeted to open April 1

Location not yet announced by agency

By Tom Collins
A mental health center is coming to La Salle County. Sarah Scruggs, chief executive officer for Arukah Institute of Healing, appeared Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, before the La Salle County Board and announced Arukah has identified a brick-and-mortar location in Ottawa to provide mental health services to all comers.

A mental health center is coming to La Salle County. Sarah Scruggs, chief executive officer for Arukah Institute of Healing, appeared Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, before the La Salle County Board and announced Arukah has identified a brick-and-mortar location in Ottawa to provide mental health services to all comers. (Tom Collins)

A service center for individuals and families with mental health issues is coming to Ottawa.

Sarah Scruggs, chief executive officer for Arukah Institute of Healing, appeared Thursday before the La Salle County Board and announced Arukah has identified a brick-and-mortar location in Ottawa to provide mental health services to all comers.

Scruggs declined to identify where in Ottawa the facility will be located, citing privacy concerns, but said Arukah has targeted an April 1 opening and plans to expand services gradually over the next 12 to 18 months.

“This truly will fill gaps for people,” Scruggs told board members as she outlined services to be made available.

Board member says farewell

Separately, the seat on the La Salle County Board representing the Somonauk area is officially open. Beth Findley Smith made her goodbyes and her seat was declared vacant.

Chairman Don Jensen, R-Deer Park, presented the Somonauk Republican with a plaque honoring her service and then announced her seat will be open as of Friday. As previously reported, Findley Smith resigned after moving out of district. Jensen has 60 days to name an appointment.

In her farewell address, Findley Smith thanked her voters and praised her now-former colleagues, commending them for keeping partisan disputes to a minimum.

Findley Smith farewell Beth Findley Smith, who resigned from the La Salle County Board after moving out of her district, bids farewell Thursday to her colleagues. (Tom Collins)

“Serving alongside you has been a master class in dedication and service,” an emotional Findley Smith said. “My biggest takeaway from my time here is ... how well Republicans and Democrats on this board come together for the greater good.”

Smith’s seat also will have to be filled on several committees. The board approved an amended roster of committee assignments and whoever is appointed to District 4 will serve on Information Technology & Central Service, Law & Justice, Circuit Wide Probation and Safety & Health.

In other matters, the board:

  • Conferred the monthly Student Excellence Awards on Kannon Delao of Northbrook Middle School and Chase Martin of Parkside Middle School.
  • Observed a moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter
  • Next meets at 1 p.m. Feb. 13
Beth Findley Smith, outgoing La Salle County Board member, accepts a congratulatory plaque from Chairman Don Jensen (R-Deer Park) at the Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, board meeting in Ottawa. The Somonauk Republican moved from her district and had to vacate her seat.

Beth Findley Smith, outgoing La Salle County Board member, accepts a congratulatory plaque from Chairman Don Jensen (R-Deer Park) at the Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, board meeting in Ottawa. The Somonauk Republican moved from her district and had to vacate her seat. (Tom Collins)

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