At last check, a Spring Valley man charged with burglarizing a home Saturday morning remained held at the Bureau County Jail. The Spring Valley Police Department reports 19 year-old Herbert Alonzo was arrested a block away from the alleged burglary Saturday morning. Investigators say a woman living at a home in the 100-block of East Seventh Street awoke to find Alonzo and two teens in her kitchen. According to authorities, the trio fled out the back door after the woman brandished a kitchen knife and yelled.
Tax Season
Rev 0
03/09
The LaSalle County Treasurer’s Office reports the 2010 tax season has begun. That’s after mobile home tax bills were sent out yesterday. The due date for the Mobile Home Local Services Tax is May 11th. If you’re late the late penalty is 25-dollars per month beginning the day after the due date.
Restriction Lifted
Rev 0
03/09
I-V-C-H has lifted its visitor restrictions. Last fall, Illinois Valley Community Hospital put into place restrictions of visitors under the age of 18 in hopes of preventing the spread of swine flu to patients and workers. However, the hospital’s Debbie Patyk says the virus appears to be sporadic and most of the respiratory viruses medical workers are seeing aren’t influenza.
A house fire in Princeton displaces a family. The Princeton Fire Department reports the blaze caused $100,000 in damage, and destroyed $50,000 of contents. The American Red Cross has been called in to help the family of three, who had been renting the Putnam Street home at the time. Meanwhile, the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
TC - DAHL ON LT GOV
3/5/2010
START 6:00 A.M.
State Senator Gary Dahl (R) Granville
State Senator Gary Dahl says this isn’t the first time the state has tried to eliminate the Lieutenant Governor’s office. The Granville Republican says an attempt was made last year, but didn’t go anywhere after it was killed in committee. Dahl believes the post itself may not be necessary, but he describes the process to eliminate the position this time around as ‘politics as usual’. House Speaker Michael Madigan proposed eliminating the office after democrat Scott Lee Cohen, took himself out of the race after abuse allegations came up against him. (Contributed by T-J Carson, W-S-P-L Radio, Streator)
Lab Remodel
Rev 0
03/05
Look for an I-V-C-C lab to get a facelift soon. That’s after the school’s board of trustees voted to spend over a half-million dollars to remodel the Building-A biology lab this summer. At their past meeting, trustees approved Vissering Construction’s bid of $526,000.
B-Ball Charity Game
Rev 0
03/05
Pick your side, and help a good cause—as I-V-C-H doctors and Rotarians lace up their sneakers and square off in a charity basketball game tonight at Peru’s Parkside School. I-V-C-H’s Gene Vogelgesang says there will be no admission charge, however donations will be accepted—which will be split between the Illinois Valley Food Pantry and the I-V-C-H Foundation. Tip-off is at 6:30.
Authorities continue to investigate the death of a 15 year-old in Putnam County. According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, rescuers responded to a report of an unresponsive 15 year-old girl in Hennepin. Details surrounding the incident remain sketchy, however we do know that the teen was rushed to Saint Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley where she was pronounced dead. As we learn more information about this story we’ll pass it onto you.
Fatal Rollover UPDATE
Rev 0
03/04
A Shabbona man has died, after authorities say he lost control of the S-U-V he was driving midday Wednesday. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports the rollover happened just after noon on Perry Road, east of Anderland Road when a Chevy Blazer driven by 61 year-old Larry Johnson went into the ditch and overturned. A passenger in the vehicle, 70 year-old Paul Brummel of Shabbona, told deputies just before the crash Johnson slumped over.
Halvorson Second Amendment
Rev 0
03/04
A local congresswoman believes the case was made to extend a U-S Supreme Court ruling overturning a ban on handguns in Washington D-C to Chicago. 11th Congressional District Representative Debbie Halvorson—who represents much Bureau and all of LaSalle Counties—is an ardent backer of overturning Chicago’s ban on handguns. The freshman lawmaker believes the court can only reasonably rule that if the ban isn’t constitutional in D-C, than—it has to be applied nationwide.
Ramirez Arrest
Rev 0
03/04
Jeez, these chairs seem a little heavy. That’s what state troopers said after stopping a truck outside of Utica Tuesday morning. According to the I-S-P, authorities discovered 36 pounds of cocaine allegedly hidden in false compartments in five restaurant chairs after the truck they were stored in was pulled over for speeding. At last check, the driver, 37-year old Jesus Ramirez of Highland, California, remained held on a $750,000 bond.
Below are pictures of the arrest provided from the Illinois State Police…
Close to one-hundred parents and teachers let their feelings be known at last night’s Woodland school board meeting. Much of the criticism from the public focused on Superintendent Doug Foster, with concerns about a six percent salary increase he received last year and the district’s handling of finances. An effort is underway, calling for his resignation. After the meeting, Foster did not comment about his future at Woodland when asked. He also stated that he would give back his six percent salary increase if teachers also gave back salary increases. The district recently announced that five or six teaching positions would have to be cut to reduce an estimated deficit of $584,000.
I-V-C-C C-T-C UPDATE
Rev 0
03/03
They’re making headway on designing the new Community Technology Center at I-V-C-C. College president Doctor Jerry Corcoran says the $30-million project is on track for groundbreaking a year from now—and all of the construction and post construction should be completed by 2013. Back to the conceptual designs approved by trustees last week, there will be a flaring front entrance in silver metal and the 77,000 foot building will be topped by a clear story of glass.
Below are pictures of the conceptual design for the new C-T-C…
Flu Not Gone…
Rev 0
03/03
Don’t let your guard down just yet when it comes to flu prevention. While Jennie Barrie of the LaSalle County Health Department says H-1-N-1 hospitalizations have been waning and it appears we’ve passed the peak, it’s possible the ailment could pop up again. That goes for seasonal flu, which Barrie notes has been fairly quiet this winter. Barrie urges people to contain coughs and sneezes, stay home if you’re sick and—most importantly, wash your hands in warm soapy water.
Ottawa Police have arrested two men on felony drug charges. Investigators say the two men arrested were 19-year-old Ricardo Hebron of Chicago and 18-year-old Efrem Pryor, who authorities say has given addresses of Ottawa and Columbus, Ohio. Hebron and Pryor were arrested Saturday by narcotics detectives, after they allegedly delivered purported crack cocaine to a person working with authorities. Both were taken to the LaSalle County Jail on the Class Two felony charge of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, crack cocaine. Hebron’s bond was set at 50-thousand dollars, and Pryor’s bond was set at 30-thousand dollars. (Contributed by T-J Carson, W-S-P-L Radio, Streator)
Nowak Arrest
Rev 0
03/02
State troopers seize ten pounds of marijuana and arrest an east coast man following a traffic stop on I-80. According to the Illinois State Police, 34 year-old Kevin Nowak was pulled over Thursday afternoon for failure to signal when the Vienna, Virginia man admitted to troopers that he allegedly had marijuana in his motor home after authorities detected its odor.
Offender Registry Changes
Rev 0
03/02
The city of Sandwich has changed their Sex Offender Registration policies. Police chief Rick Olson says the move isn’t in response to any threat. Rather, he calls them proactive steps to stay in tune with the changing registration laws. Registered sex offenders must now re-register every 90 days, versus the once annually state mandate. All registered offenders will also be charged an initial registration fee as well as an annual registration fee.
It’s yet another sign of spring…road construction. I-Dot reports the idle I-80 project between Spring Valley and Peru will come back to life beginning today. The over 16-point-seven million-dollar contract began last March, with crews resurfacing portions of the three-mile stretch and installing new bridges. By week’s end traffic will be rerouted to one side—this time around to the west side. Detours are set-up along routes 251, 89, 6 and I-180.
I-V-C-C Tuition Going Up Rev 0
03/01
Tuition at I-V-C-C will be going up soon. The board of trustees at Illinois Valley Community College recently approved raising the combined tuition and universal fee rate by six-dollars this summer, to $75.75. While going up, college officials believe I-V-C-C’s tuition will still be among the lowest—if not the lowest—across the state. To give you an idea about how this rate hike will affect a full-time student, students enrolled in 15 hours next fall will see their tuition rise by $90.
Kereta Guilty
Rev 0
03/01
The sentencing hearing for a Princeton man convicted in a D-U-I injury crash will be held next month. That’s after the jury returned ‘guilty’ verdicts Friday morning in the case involving Richard Kereta. The 43 year-old was charged with multiple counts of D-U-I, Driving While Driver’s License Revoked, Aggravated D-U-I, and Aggravated Reckless Driving. It was back on November 30th 2007 when authorities say 17 year-old Nicole Engelbreht was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle driven by Kereta, who had been driving under the influence of alcohol.
TC - WOODLAND CLEARS UP
3/1/2010
START 6:00 A.M.
Woodland officials are responding to claims made by the Woodland Education Association, the teachers’ union, regarding contract negotiations. In a press release, school officials say the president of the W-E-A is making ’self-serving facts’ to try and hide from the public and W-E-A members what they have been saying in private negotiations. They add those statements are about the negotiation of repayment of overpayment of salary. Officials say the W-E-A alleges that the board of education held up signing a collective bargaining agreement, because the board made the agreement contingent upon an unrelated agreement. According to district officials, that is false, and they say separate agreements were drafted, and says the union attempted to agree to a new collective bargaining agreement without provisions on repayment. Woodland officials are trying to receive back over 217-thousand dollars that was overpaid from 2004 to 2008. (Contributed by T-J Carson, W-S-P-L Radio, Streator)
An arrest has been made following an alleged robbery Wednesday afternoon in LaSalle. Bond is set at 30-thousand dollars for Johnny Lee Williams, who remains held at the LaSalle County Jail. He is charged with ‘Robbery’, which is a class-two felony. According to the LaSalle Police Department, the incident happened Wednesday afternoon when Williams allegedly made off with an unknown amount of cash from a couple in the 800 block of First Street.
Spring Valley Fire
Rev 0
02/26
Firefighters in Spring Valley battle a chimney fire Wednesday evening. Fire chief Gene Scheri says a younger family living in the 200-block of West Dakota alerted rescuers after spotting smoke coming from the wall around their chimney. Chief Scheri says around ten firefighters and an engine responded to the scene, and they were able to make quick work of the fire, dousing it with water from a hose line.
Critter Kissing
Rev 0
02/26
This year’s Kiss the Critter grand finale featured a cornucopia of animals and generosity from the community. In the end, over 82-hundred dollars was raised in the tenth annual fundraiser for MASS, or Mendota Area Senior Services. While Heritage Manor residents got to see an alpaca, duck, dog and more—Cathy eventually puckered up and gave Daisy Mae the skunk a kiss.
Two men are in custody following an alleged strong-armed robbery in LaSalle Wednesday afternoon. The LaSalle Police Department reports two black men allegedly robbed a couple of an unknown amount of money in the 800-block of First Street just after 1:30. While details surrounding the incident remain sketchy investigators say a weapon was not involved.
TC - THREE VEHICLE ACCIDENT
2/25/2010
START 6:00 A.M.
A three-vehicle crash late yesterday afternoon sends multiple people to the hospital. The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office reports the wreck occurred at around 5:00 on Route 18, west of East Seventh Road. Authorities say 40-year-old Anthony Rhodes of Streator lost control of his vehicle on an ice covered road, and struck a vehicle driven by 37-year-old Amy Spears of Streator. That’s when authorities say Rhodes’ vehicle struck a third vehicle driven by 56-year-old John Spealman of Wataga. Rhodes, Spears, and Spears’ two children, ages 10 and five, were taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital. The crash remains under investigation. (Contributed by T-J Carson, W-S-P-L Radio, Streator)
Rural Shabbona Crash
Rev 0
02/25
Investigators continue to look into a wreck east of Shabbona, which sent two to the hospital. According to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened Wednesday evening when a vehicle driven by 58 year-old Keith Anderson of Shabbona lost control on the snow-covered road and struck a pickup truck driven by 37 year-old Brian Muetze–also of Shabbona–nearly head-on.
An Ottawa man is accused of burglarizing multiple vehicles. The Ottawa Police Department reports officers were called to Daniel Zeal’s residence Saturday afternoon on a separate matter. While there, they say they noticed several alleged stolen items in the 20 year-old’s room—including I-D and credit cards—belonged to people whose vehicles had been burglarized over the weekend.
Edible Car
Rev 0
02/24
How fast is your food? They’ll be eating their edible vehicles at I-V-C-C today. That’s because the fifth annual Edible Car Contest will be held at midday today. Student teams will compete in a number of categories including—of course—speed, design, and creativity. If you’re wondering, last year’s winner was the Magic School Bus, constructed of a spaghetti squash and potato wheels. Of note, it wasn’t the fastest—but it took three other categories.
Bond is set at two-million dollars for a Massachusetts man accused of trafficking marijuana. The Illinois State Police reports a trooper pulled over a rental truck driven by 40 year-old Hung The Truong Sunday on Route 251 in Peru. After smelling the odor of marijuana, investigators say they discovered close to 103 pounds of marijuana hidden in a box spring and hide-a-way couch.
Below are pictures taken from the arrest provided by the Illinois State Police…
Flood Outlook
Rev 0
02/23
You know Spring is just around the corner when the National Weather Service begins talking about flood outlooks. This year, forecasters say there’s a slightly above normal chance for flooding this spring. Chicago National Weather Service Hydrologist Bill Morris says the forecast is based on snowpack and tributary river levels, which are running high.
Looking for more info about the flood outlook? Click on the graphic below…
TC - STREATOR P2D2
2/23/2010
IMMEDIATE
Streator residents will soon have their own prescription pill drop-off program. The city’s P-two-D-two program will kick off next Thursday with an event at the Streator Police station lobby, where the drop-off box will be located. The goal of the program is for citizens to drop off unused or unwanted medications for proper disposal. Illinois American Water’s Karen Cotton says she hopes people make a change, noting that flushing medications down the toliet is not safe anymore, and says the drop-off box is an easy method to dispose of medications. Mayor Ray Schmitt, Illinois American Water officials, and others will speak at next Thursday’s event. (Contributed by T-J Carson, W-S-P-L Radio, Streator)
TC - MILITARY ACADEMY NOMINEES
2/23/2010
START 6:00 A.M.
Rep Debbie Halvorson (D) Crete, 11th Cong District
Two local men, one from Ottawa and the other from Morris, have been nominated to the United States Naval Academy for the 2014 class. The two join 13 others in the other branches of the military as nominees of Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson. They are Joseph Finn of Ottawa and Trevor Boers of Morris. They were selected by the Crete Democrat in consultation with the Service Academy Interview Board. (Contributed by T-J Carson, W-S-P-L Radio, Streator)
