Tri County Fair opens in Mendota

This weekend could be your last chance to enjoy a funnel cake and caramel apple on a warm summer night.  The Tri County opens Friday at noon at the fairgrounds in Mendota.

Bingo is at 3pm.  The carnival opens at 6pm with unlimited rides for $10 tonight.  There’s also the demolition derby at 7:30pm.  Parking and admission to the fair are free but some events charge a cover.

The fair runs through Monday.

Second installment of real estate taxes due next week

Don’t spend all of your money during the long weekend.  The second installment of La Salle County real estate taxes are due Wednesday.

You can pay property taxes by credit card, bank withdrawal or by writing a check to the “La Salle County Collector”.  There is a convenience charge if you pay by credit card.

Late payments will be charged a 1.5% penalty beginning next Thursday.

Man hospitalized after Illinois River accident

A day after his pleasure boat hit a barge on the Illinois River, a man from Dwight remains hospitalized in critical condition.  Police believe Leo Ehman had been drinking before the crash Wednesday afternoon east of the Starved Rock Lock and Dam.

Police say Ehman’s boat hit the barge three times as the barge was entering the locks.  He’s being treated at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

LST to be on display in Henry for Labor Day weekend

You can visit a piece of American history while it’s docked in Henry for the Labor Day weekend.  An LST has traveled from Evansville, Indiana to Henry.

It’ll be open for tours from 9am-5pm Friday through Tuesday.  Bill Greek is one of the people responsible for bringing it to town.  He says they have many groups of students visiting the ship Friday and Tuesday.

You’ll find the ship docked on the Illinois River at the foot of the Route 18 bridge.   Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and $20 for families.  They will also have scrapbooks on display at the Henry American Legion.

Felon accused of sexual abuse

A man serving time in prison for burglary and theft convictions faces a new charge.  A grand jury Tuesday indicted Shayne Roberts of Ottawa for aggravated criminal sexual abuse.  Roberts is accused of having sexual contact with someone younger than 17 in May of 2009.

Changes in store for area Red Cross offices

The people you would call after calling 9-1-1 during a disaster or fire are making some changes to the area they serve.  The Red Cross office in Peru will soon be responsible for disaster response in all of La Salle County.  As it stands, Streator has an office and the Ottawa area is covered by the Bloomington office.

Sarah Stasik is the executive director of the Peru office.  She says the change happens Saturday.  She says it will be more work in the first few years but she believes they’ll be able to handle it and pick up more volunteers.

With the closing of the Streator office, a part-time employee will be loosing their job.