Heroin Arrest At Streator Motel

A man from Streator is accused of selling drugs out of a Streator Motel.

David Evans was picked up on a warrant Wednesday for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.  A TRIDENT agent claims he was able to buy heroin from Evans in the parking lot of a Streator motel.

Evans was taken to the county jail.

Fire burns through Princeton grain bin

A grain bin fire kept fire fighters busy in Bureau County.  Crews arrived at the grain bin in Princeton Thursday afternoon to find an intense fire burning through the 20,000 bushel bin.  The fire had also spread to a nearby barn.

Fire fighters had in under control in about 10 minutes.  The intensity of the fire caused the bin to become deformed and grain to spill out.  Heavy farm equipment was brought to empty the bin.

Crews were on the scene for nearly five hours.  The property loss is estimated at $125,000.  They’re still investigating how it started.

Puntam County animal attack included in an Animal Planet TV show

An unfortunate incident in Putnam County’s history will be featured on national television Friday night.

Animal Planet is debuting a new season of their series “Fatal Attractions”.  The show is based on people who chose to live with wild animals and often are hurt or killed because of it.

The show came to Putnam County in April to film a segment about a 2003 incident where three tigers attacked their owner in rural Hennepin.  The owner was killed and deputies had to shoot two of the tigers.  A 7-year old girl was bitten at the same house the year before by one of the tigers.

“Fatal Attractions” hits the air at 8pm Friday.

Teen taken to hospital after Rt 23 crash

A portion of Route 23 south of Ottawa was closed this morning after a 17 year old boy from Sheridan reportedly swerved to miss a deer.  It happened shortly after 4am Friday.

Police say the teen was heading north when he swerved to miss the animal and instead hit a guardrail and overturned his car.  He was taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital for treatment.  His condition is not available.  The road was reopened shortly before 7am.

Police typically recommend against swerving to miss animals on the road.

Music teacher wants to win $25,000 grant for Milton Pope School

You can probably remember some of the songs you learned in your elementary music classes.  A music teacher at Milton Pope School is hoping to given her students an experience that will teach them more about music from across the globe.

Heather Francis is leading a charge to win a $25,000 grant from Pepsi to bring in Ghanian musician Sowah Mensah.

Kindergarten through 5th grade students would be part of the lessons along with choir students.  The grant would also pay for him to write a new piece of music they would be the first to perform.  12 thousand dollars would be used to buy instruments for the music room.

Francis says they need to be voted into the top 10 to receive any funding.  You can vote everyday through the end of the month by going to the Pepsi Refresh Everything website.

Utica prepares for Burgoo

It’s that time of the year again, when a village of a thousand swells to upwards of 20,000 people.

The 41st annual Burgoo Festival is from 9:30am until 5pm Sunday in Utica.  The event serves as the largest fundraiser for the La Salle County Historical Society.

The famous burgoo stew will be served up starting at ten Sunday morning.  Raynette Jones of La Salle returns for the fourth year as burgoomeister.

Gerry Hulslander of the historical society sheds light on ingredients of the pioneer stew.

Nearly 250 vendors are expected to showcase goods at this year’s festival.  Besides crafters, there’s also plenty of food and music including performances by the New Doodledorfers and L-P marching band.

With parking always an issue, there will be a shuttle running back and forth from the festival to a parking lot off I-80.