Mautino’s Biz
Rev 0
09/07

It’s a busy time for State Representative Frank Mautino, even though lawmakers aren’t in action down in Springfield.  The Spring Valley democrat, who represents much of Bureau and LaSalle Counties, says he’s been working on securing emergency funding for municipalities and school districts which are seeing their coffers run dry without their state aid.  He notes that some of the cities and districts have had a hard time just paying their workers.  Mautino, who is the Assistant Majority Leader in the General Assembly, points out that he’s also working on a bill which would regulate sludge haulers.  Right now there are no rules on how the sludge is applied and that’s created quite the stink—literally—for residents living downwind of farmland where the sludge has been laid out.

TC - LACO ROLLOVER
9/7/2010
START 6:00 A.M.

A rollover crash early yesterday morning has sent an Iowa man to the hospital.  The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office reports the wreck happened at around 3:45 A.M. on I-80, near mile marker 92.  According to deputies, 65-year-old Donald Frahm of Dunkerton, Iowa lost control of his vehicle after he lost traction on the wet pavement.  Frahm drove into the north ditch, where his vehicle rolled over at least one time.  Frahm was taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital.  There were no citations issued.  (Contributed by T-J Carson, The Radio Group)

Harvest Reminders
Rev 0
09/07

A beautiful and dry end to the summer has allowed some farmers the chance to begin their harvest ahead of schedule and a local law enforcement official has a reminder for motorists.  State police trooper Craig Graham urges drivers to be careful on the roads as they’ll be sharing them with heavy farm machinery.  He points out that the combines and tractors don’t move very fast and, more importantly, don’t stop very fast… 

NP090710GRAHAM  Trpr Craig Graham  oq: “…sees you.”  :15.8 — {bite}

The keys to keeping your trip safe, Graham says, are give the machinery plenty of space and be especially careful when passing.

I-V-C-C St. Francis Deal
Rev 0
09/07

Nursing students at I-V-C-C now have another tool at their disposal for securing a bachelor’s degree.  The college has signed a partnership agreement with Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing in Peoria.  Under the two-plus-two program, qualifying students who’ve completed 62 credit hours of pre-nursing coursework could advance to Saint Francis, where after completing 62 more hours in their nursing major they could obtain a B-S-N degree and Registered Nurse certification.  All along the way those recruited into the program would receive advisement from staff of both schools.

Negrete Arrest
Rev 0
09/03

Bond is set at a 1.5 million dollars for a rural Shabbona man charged with sexually assaulting a child.  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office reports 29 year-old Jamie Negrete is charged with six counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child and six counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Child.  According to Sheriff Roger Scott, the alleged incidents occurred between 2006 and this summer.  The allegations came to light last month when a walk-in report was made at the sheriff’s office.  At last check, Negrete remained in custody at the DeKalb County Jail.

Reopening the Vermillion
Rev 0
09/03

State Representative Frank Mautino (D) Spring Valley

The reopening of the Vermillion River could still happen this year.  That’s according to state Representative Frank Mautino, who’s been working to broker a deal between the state and Buzzi Unichem.  The Spring Valley lawmaker says all that remains before workers can begin making safety improvements to a stretch of the river, which runs through Buzzi’s property…

NP090310MAUTINO  Frank Mautino  oq: “…this year.”  :12.6 — {bite}

The cement company closed the river, which has a renowned reputation for its fishing and rafting, last Summer following a pair of drownings.  Under the deal worked out, Buzzi won’t be held liable for future incidents and the state will install signage and buoys along the river steering users to safe waters… 

NP090310MAUTINO2  Frank Mautino 2 oq: “…this fall.”  :07 — {bite}

Mautino says preparations have been made in anticipation of the work and once the deal is signed, the project can begin.  In fact, with the water level low, Mautino says now is the prime time to get it done.  As far as the deal goes, Mautino doesn’t believe either side has any major sticking issue which would prevent its passage.

Labor Day Safety
Rev 0
09/03

The Illinois State Police have some reminders to ensure this Labor Day Holiday weekend is a safe one on the roads.  Trooper Craig Graham of the district 17 office in LaSalle urges motorists to give themselves plenty of time to reach their destination.  He notes that building extra time into a schedule can take speeding and impatient driving out of the picture.  Trooper Graham also reminds drivers to remember their first task to driving their vehicle, not talking on a cell phone or texting.  In fact, there’s a new law on the books this year in Illinois which prohibits drivers from talking on a cell phone and driving through construction zones…

NP090310GRAHAM  Trpr Craig Graham  oq: “…they’re driving.”  :14 — {bite}

Graham also reminds families to make sure everyone is buckled up properly.  He adds that you’ll see plenty of troopers out on patrol this weekend, as its an all-hands on deck weekend for them.

New Bathroom
Rev 0
09/02

They’re hoping to have a new bathroom up-and-running at the Ottawa PADS shelter by the time the facility opens for the coming cold weather season.  PADS Executive Director Carol Alcorn says up until last season they only had one individual bathroom for the men using the shelter…

NP090210ALCORN  Carol Alcorn  oq: “…your house.”  :10.1 — {bite}

The new 26-by-eight-feet bathroom will have a shower stall, two sinks, urinal and bathroom stall.  The improvement at the Ottawa shelter is just a part of a larger expansion.  Last season the shelter worked with 109 individuals.  PADS expanded the facility by 18-hundred square feet, adding 12 beds and an educational room… 

NP090210ALCORN2  Carol Alcorn 2  oq: “…have space.”  :04.4 — {bite}

Alcorn says the additional space greatly alleviated the over-crowding they had been experiencing.

TC - STREATOR ARMED ROBBERY
9/2/2010
IMMEDIATE

Streator authorities are asking for the public’s help in solving a Monday evening armed robbery.  The Streator Police Department reports the incident happened at 8:00 at the Cigarette Express.  Investigators say there were two suspects, with the first suspect allegedly showing a small, black handgun.  He was wearing a dark colored hoodie and blue jeans and stood about five-feet to five-feet, five-inches, and weighed about 180 to 200 pounds, while the second suspect is reportedly about five-feet, nine-inches and weighed around 170 pounds.  Authorities say both suspects were wearing black ski masks, and left on foot in an unknown direction with an undetermined amount of cash.

Semi Rollover
Rev 0
09/02

A rollover crash involving a semi in eastern LaSalle County has injured a Colfax man.  The Illinois State Police report the crash happened Wednesday morning, just before 5:30, at mile post 99.  That’s where 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.

Real Estate Taxes Due
Rev 0
09/02

It’s pay day for LaSalle County today.  That’s because today is the deadline for property owners to pay the second installment of their real estate taxes.  If you don’t pay on time, you’ll face one-and-a-half percent penalty tomorrow.  How can you pay?  The LaSalle County Treasurer’s office reports you can drop of a check at their drop box at the Governmental Complex on Etna Road.  You can also drop those off at most all banks in the county.  Payments via credit card can also be made online.

New N-H Administrator WRAP
Rev 0
09/01

There’s a new administrator walking the halls at the LaSalle County Nursing Home.  The Radio Group’s David Kuharski has this report…

NP090110WRAP  New NH Administrator WRAP  :41.5 — {bite}

LaSalle County Board Chairman Jerry Hicks says Chris Csernus has been tabbed to replace former administrator Amjad Hussein…

NP090110HICKS  Jerry Hicks  oq: “…good candidate.”  :07.2 — {bite}

While Csernus is technically only a temporary hire, Hicks expects the full county board to officially hire him later this month, thereby removing the interim tag.  Csernus comes to the nursing home after serving in a similar capacity at Mendota Lutheran Home.  Hussein stepped down earlier this summer after less than six months on the job.  Hicks says it was mutual decision as the home was not moving in the direction that both sides would have liked.  Reporting, I’m David Kuharski

Suspicious Approach
Rev 0
09/01

Ottawa authorities have cleared up one of the suspicious incidents involving a man approaching girls.  Last month we reported that Ottawa police were looking into a pair on 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.

Perkins Canady Arrests
Rev 0
09/01

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 I-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.

Newark Fatal
Rev 0
08/31

The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the death of an Oswego man.  According to investigators, deputies were called to a fight at the Newark Municipal Park Saturday just after noon, where a car show was being held.  Witnesses told deputies that 55 year-old Ricke Lewis Van Piper had come to the show and was arguing with estranged wife when he doused his pickup truck with gasoline and lit it on fire.  Authorities say he then entered the burning truck, pulled out several edged weapons and began throwing knives at a male victim, attacking the man also with a knife in his hand.  Show participants were able to subdue Van Piper.  Both men were taken to Valley West Community Hospital, where Van Piper was pronounced dead.  We’ve since learned that an autopsy has been conducted on Van Piper and—working off of preliminary indicators—investigators don’t suspect he died as a result of the injuries he received during Saturday’s altercation.

Dog Attack Fatal UPDATE 4
Rev 0
08/31

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…

NP083110WRAP  Dog Attack Fatal UPDATE 4 WRAP  :42.2 — {bite}

Marshall County Sheriff Rob Russell says the state’s attorney’s office has asked Lisa Madigan’s office to review the attack for possible charges because in the past it has represented the owner of the three pit bulls.  In related news, Sheriff Russell noted that tests on the remains of the four dogs put down after the attack hasn’t shed any more light on possible reasons.  Last week investigators were able to rule out rabies.  Sheriff Russell says all four dogs were put down because they were the only ones on the property, and with no witnesses to the attack there was no way of knowing which dogs were involved.  He notes that a majority of the animals had blood on them.  Reporting, I’m David Kuharski

ANCHOR TAG

Seven year-old Jason Walter was attacked and killed last Wednesday while waiting for a ride to school with his mother.

TC - FARM RIDGE FATAL UPDATE
8/31/2010
START 6:00 A.M.

One of those hurt in a triple fatal crash two weeks ago west of Grand Ridge has been released from the hospital.  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 wreck 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 Black had a blood-alcohol-content level of point-two, where the legal limit is point-zero-eight.  A reconstruction report of the crash has not yet been completed.

Rt 71 Work
Rev 0
08/31

Look for delays on Route 71 between Utica and Ottawa.  That’s because I-DOT reports a two-and-a-half million dollar project is set to begin today between 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.