The mayor of Streator has died. The Radio Group’s T-J Carson has more… (NS031010WRAP :30.9)
The LaSalle County Coroner’s Office says Ray Schmitt was taken to Saint Mary’s Hospital by ambulance from his home yesterday afternoon, and died unexpectedly at around 4:43. Authorities say a medical examination will take place to determine the cause of death. Schmitt was in his third term as mayor of Streator, first elected to the post in 1999. Funeral arrangements are pending at the Solon-Telford Funeral Home. Schmitt is survived by his wife, Donna, and their three children. I’m T-J Carson reporting…
ANCHOR TAG Ray Schmitt was 68 years old.
Hampton Arrest
Rev 0
03/10
Bond is set at 100-thousand dollars for a Spring Valley man accused of sexual abusing a 14 year-old girl. According to investigators in Peru and LaSalle, Oephia Hampton is also charged with felony solicitation to meet a child, for allegedly setting up a meeting with 13 year-old girl for the purpose of engaging in sexual relations. The 25 year-old was arrested Friday after detectives say they set up surveillance of the alleged meeting in a parking lot off of Shooting Park Road. Besides the solicitation charge, Hampton faces two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, which are class-two felonies. Authorities note they are investigating Hampton’s possible involvement with other teen girls.
Rural Somonauk Crash
Rev 0
03/10
A crash north of Somonauk late Tuesday morning has left a Hinckley woman hospitalized in Rockford. Deputies from the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office say that wreck happened just before noon on Somonauk Road, north of Pine Road. That’s where authorities say a Nissan driven by 33 year-old Jennifer Wyatt drifted across the centerline and struck a Chevrolet driven by 44 year-old Todd Bunkofske of Somonauk. Wyatt told deputies she blacked out prior to the crash. She was airlifted to Saint Anthony’s hospital in Rockford, where at last check she was listed in ‘serious’ condition. Bunkofske was taken to Valley West Community Hospital. According to deputies, the crash was the second for Wyatt in about two hours’ time. She was cited for improper lane usage and driving under the influence of drugs.
Flood Outlook UPDATE Rev 0
03/10
Flood chances in our area remain higher than normal. The National Weather Service recently issued its spring flood outlook. Meteorologists say the further north you go, the greater the flood chances. That’s because of existing snowpack. In our area, the greatest flood chances lie along the Fox River between Montgomery and Dayton. Meanwhile, flood chances are up along the Illinois River and are near normal along the Vermillion River. This all said meteorologist Bill Morris says forecasts could change for the better or worse…
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. Worse yet, investigators say the three returned to her rear porch—but ran off when she screamed again. Alonzo is charged with residential burglary and burglary to a motor vehicle. His bond is set at 35-thousand dollars. During interviews, authorities say one of the teens implicated himself in a pair of recent vehicle crimes.
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. Make a point of being on-time with that payment because the treasurer’s office says the late penalty is 25-dollars per month beginning the day after the due date. Payments can be either sent to the treasurer’s office in Ottawa or dropped off.
TC - LACO BROADBAND LINE
3/9/2010
START 6:00 A.M.
An idea to change the way private and public sectors in LaSalle County gather information was presented at last night’s County Board meeting.
Board members heard a presentation about the LaSalle County Broadband Initiative, which would build a 184-mile fiber optic backbone throughout the county and give unrestricted high-speed broadband access via a connection with N-I-U. The University’s Herb Kuryliw (cray-loo) says schools, hospitals, businesses, agriculture, and more can connect to it. Kuryliw says the 22 million-dollar project can be split amongst connected bodies. He says a decision on grant money could come in September, with expected installation of the fiber optic cable two years after that.
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…
That said, should the flu bug crop up again—Patyk says the hospital is prepared to curtail visiting. The change means that the hospital’s ‘Voluteen’ and pet therapy programs can resume.
A house fire in Princeton displaces a family. The Princeton Fire Department reports the blaze caused 100-thousand dollars in damage, and destroyed 50-thousand dollars 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. Authorities say responding fire crews found smoke pouring from the second floor, and the attic engulfed in flames. Fortunately no-one was hurt. It would take crews close to two-and-a-half hours to knock down the blaze and root out smaller, hidden ancillary fires. Providing mutual aid at the scene were crews from Wyanet and Bureau while Malden firefighters and a 10-33 Ambulance crew manned Princeton’s station.
TC - DAHL ON LT GOV
3/5/2010
START 6:00 A.M.
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.
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-thousand dollars. The college will spend over 307-thousand dollars on new wood and steel casework, lab tables, fume hood accessories and cabinets.
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. Joining the I-V-C-H ‘doc’s’ on the court will be hospital C-E-O Tommy Hobbs. I-V-C-H’s Gene Vogelgesang says the idea of a charity game tipped off on the court…
Meanwhile, Rotarians from three local Rotary Clubs will team together against the physicians. Vogelgesang notes that 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. Deputies say that’s where 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. Brummel was taken to O-S-F Saint Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford. Authorities continue to investigate.
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…
On Tuesday, proponents made their case before the court, which recently ruled that Washington D-C’s ban was unconstitutional. 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. The court could issue its ruling as soon as June.
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 Illinois State Police, 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. The vehicle’s driver, 37-year old Jesus Ramirez of Highland, California, is charged with Controlled Substance Trafficking. At last check, he remained held at the LaSalle County Jail on a 750-thousand dollar bond.
Below are pictures of the arrest provided by the Illinois State Police…
The announcement last week of the potential elimiantion of five or six teaching positions at Woodland brought the public out in force to a school board meeting last night. The Radio Group’s T-J Carson explains… (WoodWrap :34.1)
Nearly one-hundred parents and teachers voiced complaints about how the district handled finances, and a six percent salary increase that Superintendent Doug Foster received last year. Some parents went as far as to demand that Foster resign, and circulated a petition after the meeting in regards to it. The district is expecting a deficit of around 584-thousand dollars next year, based on a lack of tate funding. Foster declined to comment on his future after the meeting, but did state that he would return his raise if teachers did the same. I’m T-J Carson reporting…
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 project architects can now move forward to the design and development phase. At this point, Corcoran notes the $25-million project is on track for groundbreaking a year from now—and all of the sub- projects should be completed by 2013. Back to the conceptual designs approved by trustees last week, Corcoran calls them spectacular…
Under the plan, there will be a flaring front entrance in silver metal and the 77,000 square 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 points out that seasonal flu could still crop up between now and May…
With that said, she says H-1-N-1 vaccines are available at the health department. Barrie also urges people to remain vigilant against both bugs by containing coughs and sneezes, stay home if you’re sick and—most importantly, wash your hands in warm soapy water.
New Biz
Rev 0
03/03
A new business, looking to open shop in Mendota, gets a helping hand from the city. At this past city council meeting aldermen voted to authorize a $30,000 low interest loan for Sergio Mandujano, whose seeking to open a welding business. City clerk Emily McConville says as part of the loan, through the city’s Community Development Assistance Program, Mandujano’s business ‘Malecio Attachment’ must employ at least three full-time employees over the course of the loan’s repayment, which would be seven years.
A senior-living community firm is interested in building a development in western Mendota. Following last night’s city council meeting, the Building, Zoning and Annexation committee met to listen to a presentation from the Stough Group, which has built senior communities in Peru, Spring Valley, Princeton and Streator. Under the group’s plan, a 50 to 60-unit development would be built at the intersection of Plaza Drive and Route 34. Each unit would have one bedroom and the complex would have a community center. During the presentation Mayor Dave Boelk talked about his thoughts about Peru’s development…
Because they rely on securing federal tax credits—and would still have to apply for them for this project—construction couldn’t begin until next spring. The next step is for the planning commission to meet and rezone the land in question as ‘residential’ from ‘commercial/industrial’.
TC - OTTAWA DRUG ARREST
3/2/2010
START 6:00 A.M.
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 operating a motor home which had been stopped near LaSalle Thursday afternoon for failure to signal. During the stop, the Vienna, Virginia man admitted to troopers that he allegedly had marijuana in the rig after troopers say they detected its odor. Nowak is charged with possession of cannabis with intent to deliver. His bond is set at 100-thousand dollars.
Offender Registry Changes
Rev 0
03/02
The city of Sandwich has changed their Sex Offender Registration policies. Police chief Rick Olson says the changes aren’t in response to any threat or danger. Rather, they’re what he calls a proactive step to stay in tune with the changing registration laws…
Under the changes, registered sex offenders must re-register every 90 days, versus the once annually state mandate. All registered offenders will be charged an initial registration fee of 20-dollars and an annual registration fee of 10-dollars. Chief Olson notes the fee structure isn’t designed to be a money-maker. Rather it’s there to help offset some of the department’s expenses to maintain the registration.
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 project began last March, with crews resurfacing portions of the three-mile stretch and installing new bridges. Just as we saw last year, traffic will be rerouted to one side—this time around to the west side. I-Dot’s Don Ernat says alternate routes are set-up along routes 251, 89, 6 and I-180…
According to I-Dot, all work on the project should wrap-up by this fall.
I-V-C-C Tuition Going Up
Rev 0
03/01
It’ll soon cost you more to go to I-V-C-C. The Radio Group’s David Kuharski explains… Tuition WRAP :31.2
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-dollars and 75-cents. That said 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-dollars. I’m David Kuharski
ANCHOR TAG
The board also approved changing the fees for 182 courses and increasing the truck driver training program by 193-dollars.
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—all either class-three or four felonies. 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. Following the verdicts, Putnam County State’s Attorney James Mack said (quote) “I further hope that this verdict will give Nicole some measure of redress as she attempts to cope with the life changing consequences of the Defendant’s actions.” (end quote)
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. Investigators say no weapon was used or implied—or threats made. Later that afternoon, Spring Valley police picked up Williams and another man, who has not been charged.
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. The crew was able to make quick work of the fire, dousing it with water from a hose line. Damage estimates aren’t known however, the structure was inhabitable. In the wake of the fire, Scheri tells homeowners only fire-rated chimney assemblies should be installed and all directions should be followed.
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. MASS’s Carol Kern says the money collected will be put to use…
Collecting the most was Cathy Sterchi of Mendota Lutheran Home, who generated over 1,981-dollars. Second place went to Lincoln School principal Vicki Johnson, who collected over 14-hundred dollars. 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.
Parking Reminder
Rev 0
02/25
No doubt more snow will come this winter, and already it’s proven to be a busy season for Mendota police officers enforcing the city’s snow ordinance. Lieutenant Lonnie Kent reminds motorists that in the event of a snowfall two inches or greater no parking is allowed on city streets…
No parking is allowed for 12 hours following a two-inch snowfall. In the last snowfall alone Lieutenant Kent says officers handed out over 30 tickets and towed away one vehicle. Over the course of the winter Kent notes that several vehicles have been towed. He adds that the department recently extended the deadline for overdue tickets by ten days. But, that said, he says after the grade period, court notices will be sent out.
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.
Kiss The Critter PREVIEW
Rev 0
02/25
They’ll be puckering up for a good cause today at Heritage Manor in Mendota. That’s because the tenth annual Kiss the Critter grand finale will be held this afternoon. Catherine McDowell of Heritage Manor says the goal behind the annual event is to raise funds for Mendota Area Senior Services—or MASS.
This year they’re hoping to raise ten-thousand dollars. At last check the front-runner participant was Vicki Johnson, the principal of Lincoln School—with about $700. However, McDowell points out that participants, in the past, haven’t turned in their donations until the last minute. Whoever wins gets to plant a kiss on Daisy Mae the skunk. The event is open to the public and will begin at 2:00.
Cook Funeral
Rev 0
02/25
Pictured above is former Vice President Alben Barkley. Paw Paw native Marjorie Cook penned the song "Honeymoon Waltz", which was played at Barkley's wedding. Mrs. Cook passed on over the weekend. She'll be laid to rest today.
A native Paw Paw woman, whose love of music touched the life of one of the United States’ vice presidents, will be laid to rest today. 94 year-old Marjorie Cook, who lived in both Paw Paw and Earlville, passed away this past Saturday in Arizona. While some may remember her for her teaching or piano-playing, what you may not know is that she published several musical compositions. In fact her song “Honeymoon Waltz” gained notoriety after it was featured at the wedding of then Vice President Alben Barkley, who was the only V-P to marry while in office. Following her funeral at Rollo Congregational Church, Cook will be laid to rest at Precinct Cemetery in Earlville.
The red ink in the state aid portion of district 289’s accounting books has grown larger. Earlier this month we reported that the grade school district was owed more than a half-of-a-million dollars in state aid payments. As of late last week, Superintendent Marcia Burress says that figure had swollen to nearly 650-thousand dollars. The administrator notes it could easily get worse before it gets better…
Burress notes that the district has reserves to cover the shortfall, however it will go only so far if the state’s fiscal crisis continues. Because of the looming prospect, the board of ed last week voted to implement new fees and make staffing changes.
Zeal Arrest
Rev 0
02/24
An Ottawa man is accused of burglarizing multiple vehicles. The Ottawa Police Department reports officers were called to Daniel Zeal’s residence Saturday afternoon. While there, they say they noticed several alleged stolen items in the 20 year-old’s room. As it turns out, investigators say the items—including I-D and credit cards—belonged to people whose vehicles had been burglarized over the weekend. He’s charged with Burglary to Motor Vehicle, which is a class-two felony. His bond is set at 30-thousand dollars.
Edible Car
Rev 0
02/24
How fast is your food? The faster it is—the better. The Radio Group’s David Kuharski explains… Edible Car WRAP :38
The fifth annual Edible Car Contest will be held at midday today. The goal, according to the college’s Dorene Perez is to show students that engineering is fun and allows them to be creative. Student teams will compete in a number of categories including—of course—speed, design, and creativity. The healthier it is, the better for some students who will be competing in the category nutritional value. Last year, 90 students and 7 staff members duked it out on 23 teams. The winner was the Magic School Bus, constructed of a spaghetti squash and potato wheels.
ANCHOR TAG
If you’re curious, last year’s fasted entry was the Noodle Wagon.
