Two teens arrested for stealing

Police have a nosey neighbor to thank for finding two teens police think stole stereo equipment and a GPS out of a car in Mendota.
Police found Ralph Garcia and Daniel Austin of Mendota in the 1200 block of 5th Street Thursday morning after someone called about people acting suspicious.
Investigators say they found stereo speakers, a cd player, a digital camera and other things they believe were stolen out of a car.
Garcia and Austin were arrested for felony burglary to a car and possession of stolen property and were taken to the La Salle County Jail.
The investigations continues and more charges are pending.

Oglesby mayor wants Vermilion reopened to the public

If and when Oglesby Mayor Tony Torres gets to meet with Buzzi Unicem and DNR officials at the same time about reopening the Vermilion River, he’ll have plenty of suggestions.
Torres gave the La Salle County Board Thursday 11 suggestions to improve safety on the river and hopefully get Buzzi to lift their trespassing restrictions. Torres said the most important thing to do was adding fill below the dam to limit the hydraulic current. Other suggestions include: improving signage along the river; have rafting companies screen their clients for alcohol; have rafting companies show a power point to clients about safety on the river; and have a certified guide with any group that has at least one inexperienced person. Torres also wants a public access along 20 feet of the right side of the river so paddlers can get out of the river without trespassing.
None of the county board members talked about the river restriction.

School districts seek special use permits

A couple rural school districts in La Salle County may be looking to expand.
The La Salle County Board Thursday approved special use permits for Dimmick and Wallace School Districts. Dimmick has bought another eight acres of land adjoining to their school while Wallace has picked up another 32 acres.
La Salle County Environmental Services Director Mike Harsted says the districts could use the land for a number of things like parking, playgrounds or school additions.
Board member Stephen Carlson voted against the Wallace permit after Harsted told him the acquired land is good farmland.