Two hospitalized following shooting near Mendota

A shooting outside of Mendota left two people hospitalized and another arrested.

It happened around 5:15pm Monday.  Jesus Rosas of rural Mendota has been charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm.  He was being held in the La Salle County Jail.

The injured have been taken to Rockford Memorial Hospital.  Their names and conditions have not been made available.

Police ticket a dozen for underage drinking

The pains of being under 21- a dozen teens and young adults were arrested for underage drinking after the police invited themselves to a party in Peru.

It happened early Saturday morning on Peoria Street.  Four 17 year olds along with Alexis Talbert of Peru, Monica Mackey of Peru, Jose Janica of Cherry, Katie Gallagher of Spring Valley, Robert Watson of Mendota, Everett Dearing of Compton, Amanda Pecher of Spring Valley and Dennis Miller of Princeton were sent home with notices to appear.

8 year old boy hospitalized after falling at Starved Rock State Park

Starved Rock State Park was a popular destination for families this weekend.  For a family in Cherry, it turned serious when an 8 year old fell 26 feet into Basswood Canyon.

Conservation Police Sgt.  Robert Frazier says the boy was climbing in a restricted area and fell late Sunday afternoon.  The boy was airlifted from the park to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  His condition wasn’t available, though he reportedly underwent surgery Sunday night.

Illinois State Police and members of the Utica Fire and Ambulance district also helped with the rescue.

Princeton house fire considered suspicious

Intense smoke and flames are what firefighters found when they arrived at a two-story house in Princeton.  The blaze Sunday night on South Pleasant Street drew crews from neighboring Bureau County departments.

Princeton Fire Chief John Petrakis says it took them nearly two hours to bring it under control.  No one was home when it started.

Damage is estimated at $125,000.  The State Fire Marshall’s office was called.  The cause is under investigation but it looks suspicious.

IVCC basketball star killed in Florida

An athlete who led Illinois Valley Community College’s women’s basketball team to two regional championships has died.  Shannon Washington was killed early Sunday morning in Tallahassee, Florida after being stabbed in the neck.  A person has been charged with murder in her death.

Shannon earned a scholarship to attend Florida A&M while playing for the Lady Eagles last year.

IVCC Athletic Director Tommy Canale calls Shannon’s death a horrible tragedy.

IVCC Women’s basketball coach Patrick Cinotte says “what Shannon accomplished academically and athletically in the past two years will not be forgotten.”  He plans to attend her services in Sarasota.

Offices closed for Labor Day

Enjoy Labor Day.  Most offices are closed for the holiday, and that means city councils that would have met tonight will be meeting tomorrow night instead, including La Salle and Oglesby.

Some towns will also have their garbage, yard waste, and recyclables picked up one day later than usual this week.