Mendota returning to normal after train derailment

Efforts continued Saturday to reopened a train crossing in Mendota that was closed following the derailment of a freight train. 12 cars of the freight derailed Friday afternoon.  It was hauling coal.  No one was hurt.

The crossing at Route 34 was closed for about an hour Saturday.  The Fifth Street crossing was to reopen Saturday afternoon.

Utica Arson Suspect Still In Colorado

A man who is being called a “person of interest” in a Utica house fire hasn’t been charged with anything yet.

26 year old Zachery Barron was found Tuesday in Colorado after being deemed suicidal and a missing person by La Salle County Sheriff’s deputies.  La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says Barron is still in Colorado and hasn’t been charged.  He says the arson investigation continues.

Barron’s home on North 2803^rd Road east of Utica burned to the ground Monday morning.  Investigators say they found footprints and bicycle tire tracks outside the home that led to the road.  Some personal items were found outside the house apparently belonging to Barron.

Firefighters Called To Westclox Building For A Report Of Smoke

The former Westclox plant isn’t a small building, but it only took a small, smoldering fire to fill a large portion of the building with smoke.

The Peru Fire Department was called to an area of the building behind S and S Tool and Die after someone reported smoke around 6:30am Friday.

Firefighters found a section of wood flooring that had apparently been smoldering overnight.  It was put out in about 30 minutes but it took several hours and a lot of fans to air the building out.

They believe it started while a crew was removing piping from the ceiling the night before.

New Food Contract Should Mean Thousands In Savings

The La Salle County Nursing Home is getting a new, cheaper food service provider.

The county board has agreed to hire Healthcare Services Group out of Pennsylvania to provide food service for 440 thousand dollars a year.  The cost could go up or down based on the number of people staying at the home.

Nursing Home Administrator Chris Csernus says the new food company should cost 75 to 100 thousand dollars less than the current food provider.  He says dietary aides and cooks working at the nursing home now will be incorporated into the new company.

The county is locked into the new company for 120 days.  After that, they can terminate the contract with at least 90 days notice.

Man accused of selling heroin in Streator

A suspected heroin dealer in Streator has been arrested.  Investigators with TRIDENT searched a home in the 800 block of Everett Street Wednesday because they had reason to think the man living there was selling drugs.

Casey Rideout was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver heroin.  Police say they found heroin during the search.

Rideout was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Investigation in Peru leads to drug charges for Princeton woman

An investigation into drugs in Peru has left a woman from Princeton facing a list of charges.

Police say they stopped Jessi Kierski as part of a surveillance operation and narcotics investigation Thursday night on May Road.  Police say she had what they believed was heroin, marijuana, and a large amount of drug paraphernalia.

Kierski has been charged with felony unlawful possession of a controlled substance, heroin and the lesser charges of possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia, attempting to obstruct justice, resisting arrest, and possession of hypodermic syringes or needles.

She was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Students prepare for La Salle County Spelling Bee

Area grade school students will be feeling the pressure of competition when they meet at Ottawa High School Saturday  for the 51^st Annual La Salle County Spelling Bee.

37 students will compete for a $200 cash prize and the chance to represent La Salle County at the Grand Finals in Peoria next month.

The Bee starts at 9am.  Students should arrive by 8:30am.  Anyone can watch the spelling bee.  Admission is free.

Alex Keene of Wallace Elementary was last year’s winner.

Dixon 1st-day postmark available for Reagan stamp

DIXON, Ill. (AP) – A new Ronald Reagan “forever stamp” was dedicated Thursday in Reagan’s boyhood home of Dixon. It celebrates the centennial of the late president’s birth.

The stamp art by Bart Forbes of Plano, Texas, depicts Reagan during his second term as president at his ranch near Santa Barbara, Calif.

Collectors have 60 days to order the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may buy the new stamps at any post office, affix them to envelopes addressed to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to the postmaster in Dixon.

The address is: Ronald Reagan Stamp, Postmaster, 405 W. 2nd St.,Dixon, Ill. 61021-9998.

The Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail with the special postmark.

10 students to compete for Mr. LP title

The only pageant that includes the categories superfan and beach wear returns to Matthiessen Auditorium Saturday  night.  The Third Annual Mr. LP has 10 boys competing while at the same time raising money for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry and Special Olympics.

Other categories include talent, formal wear, and charity fund-raising.

It’s sponsored by the LP Student Council.  It’s $3 to get in.  Doors open at 6:20pm with the contest starting at 7pm.