Bureau County Farmer Faces Gun Charge

A farmer in Bureau County is accused of threatening a seed company salesman with a gun.

Deputies were called out Wednesday to a farm in rural Wyanet owned by Brian Hochstatter of rural Sterling.  Investigators say Hochstatter called out a representative from Syngenta Seeds and Ag View FS to look at his corn for possible root worm damage.  When they told him there was no damage to his crop, Hochstatter allegedly pointed a gun at the Syngenta employee.

Police say they found a gun in an outbuilding on the property and arrested Hochstatter for aggravated battery.  He posted bond and was released from jail.

Ground breaking for Eakas expansion Friday in Peru

You’ll see construction beginning soon at the Eakas Plant in Peru.  The company that makes plastic car components will nearly double in size after a new production line is added next year.

A ground breaking ceremony is at 2pm Friday.  Eakas officials say the expansion is costing $35 million and will create 25 new jobs.

For their part, Peru will also be spending money to make sewer upgrades.

The new line is scheduled to begin production at the end of next summer.

Bank In Bureau County Robbed At Gunpoint

The town of Ohio is usually a quite and uneventful place, but not Thursday.  Investigators with the FBI and the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department are looking for a man that held up Citizen’s 1^st State Bank Thursday morning.

The man was described as white and in his late 20’s.  He was wearing all black and left on foot.

The robbery affected Ohio Schools.  Both were placed on partial lockdown and parents were asked to pick up their kids after school.

Arrests Pending In Ottawa Graffiti Case

It was only a matter of time.  Ottawa Police say they have three people in mind that they think are behind the recent graffiti outbreak.

Officers are finalizing charges with the state’s attorney’s office so they haven’t released the names of the three suspects.  Police Chief Brian Zeilmann says they should get warrants out later today.  When they do, they’ll arrest three men in their late teens.  One of the teens is still in high school.

Over 15 spots have been spray-painted in the past month including a water tower, the First National Bank, Miskell Law Center and Roxy Cinemas.

Historic City Park Needs Fall Cleaning

Washington Park is the arguably the centerpiece of Ottawa.  City officials want your help in keeping it clean.

The city is having a volunteer work day this Saturday to clean the park.  You’re asked to bring your own tools like rakes and clippers.  Everyone is meeting at the park at 9.

Refreshments will be provided.

Days Are Numbered For Some Area Post Offices

The process of closing some area post offices is moving ahead.

The United States Postal Service sent letters this week to people in Van Orin announcing a public meeting to talk about closing the village’s post office.  The meeting is October 18^th at 6 o’clock inside the Van Orin Gospel Church.

Back in July, the postal service released a so-called post office study list where stamps and flat-rate packaging would be done at village stores instead of post offices.  On the potential closure list in La Salle County were post offices in Cedar Point, Dana, Leonore, Rutland, Troy Grove, Triumph, and Wedron.  Bureau County post offices on the chopping block are in Bureau, Arlington, Seatonville and Van Orin.  In Putnam County, Magnolia, Mark and Standard post offices could close.