Ottawa Teen Hurt After Rollover Accident

An 18 year old Ottawa girl was taken to the hospital this morning after rolling her car.

La Salle County Sheriff’s deputies say that Amber Katrein rolled her car just before 1:30 this morning while heading east on Canal Road just outside Ottawa.  She was taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital.

Katrein was charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane use.  She was released with a court date.

County Board Changes Fees For Dog Registration

After some debate, the La Salle County Board yesterday approved new registration fees for dogs.

As an attempt to cut down on strays, the board approved a split-fee system for dog registration.  License fees for dogs not spayed or neutered were doubled in cost rising up to 20 dollars a year.  Fees for dogs that are spayed or neutered would be 10 dollars for a year.  Any dog owner 65 and over would pay half price to register neutered dogs.  Dog breeders can get an exemption to the registration ordinance for a yearly fee of 75 dollars.

Board member Randy Freeman was one of four voting against the new fees.  He says raising fees means more people dumping dogs in the country because they can’t afford having them spayed or neutered.

La Salle County Board passes budget, schedules tax hearing

A county budget that has a $10 million deficit will go into place December 1.  The La Salle County Board approved the budget Friday afternoon with little discussion.

The county expects to bring in about $69 million and while paying out about $78 million.   Jerry Hicks is the county board chairman.  He expects the county’s share of retail sales tax and a public safety sales tax to be down a million dollars from the year before.

To help cover the budget deficit, the board is dipping into its cash reserve for about six million dollars.

A truth in taxation hearing is schedule for November 30.

Police Looking For Alleged Rapist

A man from Henry is being sought for an alleged rape.

A warrant was issued yesterday for 20-year old Ryan Curran.  Marshall County prosecutors say Curran lured a 14-year old girl to his house via text messaging and raped her at his place.

As of last evening, Curran hadn’t been arrested.