Tune in for the latest news and weather from WSPL News Director T.J. Carson every weekday morning on the half hour from 6 to 9, and at 10, 11, and noon.
Have a news tip or idea you think would make a great story, e-mail T.J. atnews@theradiogroup.net.
Streator Establishs Fee Structure for Farm Stands
(posted 9/2/2010, 8:13 A.M.)
The city of Streator now has established fees for farm stands and transient merchants in the city. The new measures were approved at the August City Council meeting. The rates for farm stands are $15 for a weekend, $35 for a month, and $200 for six months, while transient merchants have a $200 per month fee for each place of business. City Manager Paul Nicholson says it is more fair than the previous fee structure.
Nicholson says though that he does not necessarily anticipate more farm stands to go up, citing a low number of farm stands that operated this summer, along with the public farmer's market in the city park, which is not subject to fees.
Vehicle and Tools Stolen from Pontiac Business
(posted 9/2/2010, 8:12 A.M.)
Pontiac Police are reporting an incident of a stolen vehicle from this past weekend. Authorities say they were called to Superior Landscaping at 1:15 A.M. Sunday for the incident. Police say they learned that someone had entered the building and stole a 2006 white Ford F250, a Craftsman tool box with many hand tools in it, a Stihl 141-inch chainsaw, and a case of socket sets, between 11:00 A.M. Saturday and 1:15 A.M. Sunday. Authorities say Dwight Police located the vehicle prior to Pontiac Police being called, and located the F250, which was abandoned, near the Aldi warehouse. Authorities say the owner of Superior Landscaping was called, who went to the business, found the other items missing, and filed a report. Authorities say the tools have yet to be recovered, and the incident is under investigation.
Second Installment of LaSalle County Real Estate Taxes Due Today
(posted 9/2/2010, 8:11 A.M.)
It’s pay day for LaSalle County today. That is because today is the deadline for property owners to pay the second installment of their real estate taxes. A 1.5% penalty will take effect tomorrow if payment is not in by today. The LaSalle County Treasurer’s office says payment can be made by dropping off a check at their drop box at the Governmental Complex on Etna Road, or dropping them off at most banks in the county. Payments via credit card can also be made online.
Colfax Man Injured After Semi-Truck Crash Wednesday
(posted 9/2/2010, 8:10 A.M.)
A rollover crash involving a semi in eastern LaSalle County has injured a Colfax man. Illinois State Police report the crash happened Wednesday morning, just before 5:30, at mile post 99. Troopers say a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer was heading east when it left the road to the left in the construction area, through an uneven shoulder and into the ditch. Before coming back onto the highway, the rig rolled over. The driver, 52 year-old Michael Petersen was treated and released at Morris Hospital.
Streator Crimestoppers Asking for Public's Help After Monday Armed Robbery
(posted 9/1/2010, 11:42 A.M.)
Streator Crimestoppers is asking for the public's help in solving an armed robbery from Monday evening. Authorities say the incident occurred at Cigarette Express, at around 8:00 P.M. Authorities say there were two suspects, with the first suspect allegedly showing a small, black handgun and was wearing a dark colored hoodie and blue jeans. Authorities say the first suspect was a male, that was about 5 foot to 5 foot, 5 inches, and weighing about 180 to 200 pounds, while the second suspect is reportedly 5 foot 8 inches to 5 foot 9 inches, and weighing around 170 pounds. Authorities say both suspects were wearing black ski masks, and left on foot in an unknown direction. Authorities say the suspects got an undetermined amount of cash. Anyone with information is asked to call Streator Crimestoppers at 672-9000.
Streator Firefighters Fight Two Different, but Similar, Car Fires
(posted 9/1/2010, 8:18 A.M.)
Streator firefighters responded to two different, but similar, car fires on Monday. Authorities say the first was called in at 4:12 P.M. at the corner of Elm and Bloomington Streets, and the second occurred at 10:10 P.M. on the 1500-block of North Bloomington Street. Authorities say it took 20 minutes to put out each fire. Authorities say the cars involved in both cases with both 2000 Dodge Stratuses. Authorities say the fires occurred as the vehicles were being driven down the road, and officials say the fires are not suspicious.
Streator Man Arrested on Sex Charge Warrant
(posted 9/1/2010, 8:17 A.M.)
A Streator man remains in the LaSalle County Jail this morning after being picked up on a county warrant for a sex charge. Authorities say 20-year-old Michael Welch was arrested last Friday, on a failure to register as a sex offender charge. Authorities say Welch allegedly failed to register as one at an employment he had. Authorities say Welch was unable to post the $20,000 bond, and was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
LaSalle County Nursing Home Hires New Interim Administrator
(posted 9/1/2010, 8:15 A.M.)
There is a new administrator at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. The Radio Group’s David Kuharski has more…
Ottawa Police Clear Up One Incident Involving Girls
(posted 9/1/2010, 8:15 A.M.)
Ottawa authorities have cleared up one of the suspicious incidents involving a man approaching girls. Last month, Ottawa police stated that they were looking into a pair of incidents, one on the north side and the other on the south side, where two girls were approached by an older man. Ottawa Police Chief Brian Zeilmann says in one case, the man came to authorities and explained what had happened. According to the chief, the man says he mistook the girls for his neighbors which use his trampoline. However, the public is being asked to help clear up the other suspicious incident. Anyone with more info is asked to call Ottawa police.
Dwight Man Injured in Two Vehicle Accident Monday Morning
(posted 9/1/2010, 8:12 A.M.)
A Dwight man was taken to the hospital after a two vehicle crash Monday morning. The LaSalle County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened at around 6:47 A.M., on North 17th Road at East 27th Road. Authorities say a vehicle driven by 57-year-old Steven T. Leikness of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin had reportedly pulled out into the intersection, in front of a vehicle driven by 32-year-old Mark Seibert of Dwight. Authorities say both vehicles collided in the intersection. Seibert was taken to Saint Mary's Hospital, while Leikness was uninjured, and received a citation for failure to yield at intersection.
Two Men Arrested on Drug Charges After Interstate 80 Traffic Stop
(posted 9/1/2010, 8:09 A.M.)
Two men charged with dealing drugs remain in custody following a traffic stop last week. The Illinois State Police reports troopers pulled over a vehicle Friday evening for speeding on Interstate 80 outside of LaSalle. Working off of probable cause, authorities say troopers searched the vehicle and found a baggie of cocaine in the glove box. Both of the vehicle’s occupants, 39 year-old Keith Perkins of Summit and 27 year-old Timothy Canady of Davenport, were arrested and charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Canady was also charged with possession of cannabis. Perkins’ bond was set at $100,000, while Canady’s bond was set at $150,000. Both are in custody at the LaSalle County Jail.
City of Streator Updates Road Repair Program
(posted 8/31/2010, 7:42 A.M.)
The Streator City Council approved an updated road program at their special meeting last week. The road program lays out which streets in the city need repairs and when they will get repairs. City Engineer Jeremy Palm says the big change was moving the reconstruction and overlay of the 700 to 1100 blocks of Madison Streets to next year, instead of 2013. Palm says the street was in dire need of work.
Palm also says the 700 and 800 blocks of Wilson Street and the 100 block of Colorado Street was shifted to 2013. The cost each year of the road program does not exceed $350,000.
Injured Victim from Fatal Farm Ridge Crash Released
(posted 8/31/2010, 7:41 A.M.)
The injured victim still in the hospital after a triple fatal accident in Farm Ridge Township two weeks ago has been released. Officials at Saint Francis Hospital in Peoria say 17-year-old Cody Black of Streator was released over the weekend. The two other victims from the August 15th crash, 17-year-old Adam Renner of Streator and 19-year-old Anthony Schumacher of Streator, were released soon after the crash. The crash killed the driver, 49-year-old James Black of Grand Ridge, and two passengers, 16-year-old Brittany Burash of Grand Ridge and 18-year-old Robert Eccleston of Streator. The LaSalle County Coroner's Office says James Black had a blood-alcohol-content level of 0.2, where the legal limit is .08. County officials also say a reconstruction report of the crash is not complete yet.
Possible Charges in Fatal Dog Attack North of Varna
(posted 8/31/2010, 7:39 A.M.)
The state attorney general’s office has been asked to review last week’s fatal dog attack north of Varna. The Radio Group’s David Kuharski has more…
Seven year-old Jason Walter was attacked and killed last Wednesday while waiting for a ride to school with his mother.
Two Arrested After Car Burglary Incidents in Pontiac
(posted 8/31/2010, 7:38 A.M.)
A 20-year-old Odell man and a 27-year-old Marseilles man were arrested last week on burglary to motor vehicle charges. Pontiac Police says Randal Olson of Odell and Frankie Digilio of Marseilles were arrested on burglary from motor vehicle charges on August 24th. Authorities say they were charged with crimes involving two vehicles parked on the 200-block of East Water Street, occurring at around 10:00 P.M. on August 23rd. Authorities say a 1999 white Ford Taurus had a wallet with business cards in it, a notepad, a checkbook, a pen, various papers, and a black notebook stolen from inside it, where all the items have since been recovered. Authorities say Olson and Digilio were also charged with attempted burglary for allegedly attempting to burglarize a 2006 silver Dodge Caravan.
Work Begins Today on Route 71
(posted 8/31/2010, 7:37 A.M.)
Delays will begin today on Route 71 between Utica and Ottawa. IDOT says a two-and-a-half million dollar project is set to begin today between Illinois Routes 178 and 23. Under their plan, the surface of the over ten-mile stretch will be milled off and resurfaced. Len Trovero Construction of LaSalle was awarded the project. All work should be done by this December.
City of Streator Modifies Its Disaster Plan
(posted 8/30/2010, 8:19 A.M.)
The Streator City Council approved changes to the city's disaster plan at a special meeting last Tuesday. The plan's changes were discussed by Mayor Jim Lansford, Fire Chief Tom Risley, and Public Works Director David Fussell, with Lansford saying the changes were a direct result of the experiences of the June 5th tornado. Lansford says a majority of the plan fell into place, and performed well, but could be improved on.
The changes include updating the call list, and when the city declares a disaster declaration, with Lansford saying the declaration would be made faster, with the city council ratifying it later on. Lansford says the command center worked 'extremely well' during the tornado.
Enrollment Numbers At Streator High Causing Concern
(posted 8/30/2010, 8:15 A.M.)
This year's enrollment at Streator High, coupled with the past few years, has district heads concerned. This year's enrollment, according to Assistant Principal Nick McGuirk, is 934 students. He says at this point last year, the district was projecting to have an enrollment of 988. McGuirk says it is difficult to center on a factor for the drop, but says job losses in Streator, along with population numbers plays a role.
McGuirk says a dip in enrollment numbers were expected, but expects a bottom out in the 2013-14 school year before a spike after that. He says attendance and enrollment numbers are important, because those are tied to state funding for the district.
Halvorson Changes Campaign Heads
(posted 8/30/2010, 8:14 A.M.)
With over two and a half months to the election, Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson has made a move as to who runs her campaign. Halvorson let go campaign Manager Travis Worl on August 17th, and recently hired Julie Merz to the same position. The Crete Democrat says it was about 'making changes', and that the move was not about her.
Halvorson says the recent flap over her campaign questioning the military record of her opponent, Adam Kinzinger, was not a factor in the switch. The Kinzinger campaign says the move puts her party's priorities over the district's, citing Merz's previous role as a Special Assistant to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
New Trends Developing at IV PADS Shelters
(posted 8/30/2010, 8:12 A.M.)
Two new trends cropped up during this past cold-weather season at the IV PADS homeless shelters. The Radio Group’s David Kuharski has more…
