Patrols stepped up along Vermilion River

The Vermilion River near Oglesby is a popular recreation spot during the summer, especially the July Fourth weekend. But if you head down to the river with the intentions of rafting and fishing, you risk being ticketed.
The river is not a public body of water and one of the property owners is taking extra steps to keep people from trespassing.
Buzzi Unicem, or Lone Star, has posted more signs in an effort to keep people from trespassing on land and the river.
David Rifkind with Lone Star says the current river condition is unsafe. As recently has last week, a woman from Dekalb and a teen from Oglesby drowned in the river.
Rifkind says sheriff’s deputies will be patrolling the area. They’ve also contacted local boat rental companies.
Sgt. Robert Frazier with the Illinois Conservation Police says you can still use the river at Matthiesen State Park.

Peru and Streator fireworks set to music

Looking for a fireworks display to watch?
Head down to Water Street in Peru Friday night. 99-3 WAJK and AM 1220 WLPO’s JC Phillips will be broadcasting live from Water Street starting at seven. This year’s fireworks display will be synchronized to music. You can listen along by turning your radio to 99-3, WAJK FM.
Streator’s fireworks Saturday night will also be set to music you can hear on 99-3, WAJK FM. You can watch from Streator High School’s football field.
Other places to see displays Saturday night: Hennepin’s riverfront, Ottawa’s Illinois River front, and in Princeton at Zearing Park.
Your last chance for Independence Day fireworks is Sunday night in Utica at Memorial Park.

Suspected drug dealers arrested in in Ransom and Streator

A drug bust in Ransom lead to one in Streator.
Investigators with the drug enforcement team Trident says they found four pounds of marijuana, digital scales and drug paraphernalia after searching James Warren’s home Wednesday morning.
Warren was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.
That afternoon, they went to Zack Haar’s home in Streator, where they say they found 11 Alazopram pills and cash. Haar was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.
A woman also living there, Elizabeth Shinkey, was arrested for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a notice to appear in court.
Haar and Warren were taken to the La Salle County Jail.