Man charged with aggravated DUI for crash near Oglesby

A year and a half after a crash that killed a woman from Oglesby, someone’s being charged.

Luke Raley of Spring Valley was formally charged Tuesday with two counts of aggravated DUI.  He made an appearance in La Salle County Court this morning.

Raley was on Route 251 north of Apple Press when police say he crash with an oncoming car in November 2008.

82 year old Elsie Porter and 84 year old Marion Turri were treated for injures at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  90-year old Josephine Porter of Oglesby died the day of the crash. Raley was treated and released at Illinois Valley Community Hospital.  At the time, he was arrested for driving in the wrong lane.

Raley will be back in court June 24.  He’s being held in the county jail.  He faces felony drug charges in Bureau County for an unrelated investigation.

Streator sets up tornado cleanup hotline

Storm clean-up is a phone call away in Streator.  The city has created a tornado cleanup hotline for people to request cleanup assistance.

When property owners call, they’ll be asked to say what type of help they need.  Those requests will be coordinated with city workers or volunteers.

The hotline will be open seven days a week from 8am until 5pm.  The number is 773-275-3137.

Teen drowns in Vermilion River in rural Streator

An afternoon in the Vermilion River turned deadly for a teen from Saunemin.  Investigators say 17 year old Randal Slown was with his family and friends Wednesday afternoon when he had been jumping from the Manville Bridge inot the river in rural Streator.

Livingston County Coroner Michael Burke says Slown went under and didn’t come up.  Ottawa River Rescue, the Reading Fire Department, and Streator EMT tried rescuing the boy.  He was pronounced dead less than two hours later.

An autopsy has been ordered.

Man Seriously Hurt After Attempted Suicide In Starved Rock

The man who tried killing himself yesterday at Starved Rock State Park is being treated at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Conservation Police aren’t giving out his name but say he’s 47 years old and from Palos Heights.  His injuries are considered serious.

He was found unresponsive in an SUV parked at the guest parking lot of Starved Rock Lodge by a maintenance worker.  An officer busted out the passenger’s side window to reach the man.  Officials say a helium tank hose was running and all the windows were up in the SUV.

The incident happened just after noon Wednesday and brought out a Hazmat crew.

http://ping.fm/p/ql2T9 – Hazmat call at Starved Rock

Boy Scouts Descend On Ottawa

The Boy Scouts of America Homecoming celebration in Ottawa kicks off today.

To mark the scouts 100^th anniversary, Boy Scout troops from all over are arriving in Ottawa setting up camp sites at Friendship Village.   They’ll be hiking the 16-mile long W-D Boyce Trail today. They’ll meet at the Salt Well off of Route 71 for a short re-dedication ceremony.  The hike ends at W.D. Boyce’s gravesite in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.  Boyce lived in Ottawa and is credited with forming the scouts.

You’ll find events for everyone downtown Friday and Saturday.  To participate, you would need to buy a wristband at the Masonic Temple either Friday or Saturday.

Homecoming events will include  soap box derby, crafts, hiking, and bird of prey demonstration.