Woman accused of selling drugs near school

Felony drug charges for a woman accused of selling crack-cocaine near a grade school in Ottawa.
Michelle Henry of Ottawa was arrested Monday afternoon at Fisher and Madison Streets after police say she sold what they believe was crack-cocaine to someone working with the police investigators.
Henry’s charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a class 2 felony. The charge could be made more severe because it happened near Lincoln School.
She’s being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Local Dispatcher Accused of Rape

A dispatcher with the Streator Police Department faces a sex charge in Wisconsin.

42 year old Kevin Yuhas was formally charged last week with 2nd degree sexual assault of a child. He’s being held in the Juneau County Jail which is near Wisconsin Dells.

The alleged victim in the sexual assault is a 14 year old boy. He apparently lives next door to a seasonal trailer owned by Yuhas. The alleged incident happened late last month.

Old Wal-Mart Now Elementary School

In about six weeks time, crews have taken an abandoned Wal-Mart in Ottawa and made it into a school for 5th and 6th graders.

Teachers at Central Elementary School will be able to see the temporary school for the first time tomorrow morning. Students will step foot in the building for the first day of classes on August 26th.

The cost of turning the old building into temporary classrooms is around a million dollars with FEMA picking up 75 percent of the cost. The district has leased out the building thru December of 2011.

Deadly Railroad Crossing Getting Improvements

The Illinois Commerce Commission recently put out a revised plan to make railroad crossing improvements across the state and the crossing along East 23rd Road is getting automatic flashing signals and gates. The cost is around 254 thousand dollars.

82 year old Ben and his wife 81 year old Marilyn Rasmusen of Leland along with their 9 year old granddaughter Elizabeth were killed July 13th when their car was hit at the intersection by an Amtrak train. Two other children were injured.

Debate Goes On In La Salle Over Chamber Membership

Can a city council member who belongs to the chamber of commerce vote on whether or not the city should also belong to the chamber? That’s question La Salle’s attorney will be researching before the aldermen will finally be able to decide if the city will continue to be part of the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

The city’s membership expired in July. It’ll cost 13 thousand dollars to renew for another year. The council put off voting on the question at their July 27 meeting, saying they wanted to hear from IVAC officials and the city’s economic development director Don Alesky.

The council got their wish last night. Barb Koch, IVAC Executive Director, told the council they were there to help and assist and would La Salle a fair shake when it comes to development. Alesky told the council he would work with the chamber but he was prepared to proceed without them if that’s how the council votes.

When it came time for voting, the alderman were mixed. If Tom Ptak, Demetrio Salazar and John Lavieri have to pass because they’re members of IVAC, the no’s would have it and the city would not continue with the chamber. It’s unclear if the three IVAC members will have to pass on their votes. The council plans on having that questioned answered and another vote at their next regular meeting.

Rutland Man Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver

A Rutland man is dead, a Minonk man seriously hurt after they apparently were hit by a drunk driver.

According to the state police, 49 year old John Stevenson of Rutland was pronounced dead Sunday night at Graham Hospital in Canton after he and Gary Baker of Minonk had stopped on the shoulder of Route 9 near Canton to get stuff that fell out the back of their pickup. While doing that, Thomas Hedden of Canton saw the two guys and slowed down, only to be rear-ended by Kimberly Chaney of Lewistown. Chaney than crashed into Stevenson, Baker and their truck.

While Stevenson was killed, Baker is at St. Francis Medical Center last listed in critical condition. Chaney and her passenger were treated and released.

Chaney was arrested for DUI and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

La Salle’s IVAC membership remains uncertain

Can a city council member who belongs to the chamber of commerce vote on whether or not the city should also belong to the chamber? That’s question La Salle’s attorney will be researching before the aldermen will finally be able to decide if the city will continue to be part of the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
The city’s membership expired in July. It’ll cost 13 thousand dollars to renew for another year. The council put off voting on the question at their July 27 meeting, saying they wanted to hear from IVAC officials and the city’s economic development director Don Alesky.
The council got their wish Monday night. Barb Koch, IVAC Executive Director, told the council they were there to help and assist and would La Salle a fair shake when it comes to development.
Alesky told the council he would work with the chamber but he was prepared to proceed without them if that’s how the council votes.
When it came time for voting, the alderman were mixed. If Tom Ptak, Demetrio Salazar and John Lavieri have to pass because they’re members of IVAC, the no’s would have it and the city would not continue with the chamber. It’s unclear if the three IVAC members will have to pass on their votes. The council plans on having that questioned answered and another vote at their next regular meeting.Mn