Teens accused of crashing and ditching car in a La Salle yard

If you noticed police officers and their dog searching through your backyard last night you weren’t dreaming.  Officers say they were following two teens that crashed a car into a yard on Campbell Avenue in La Salle and ran off.

It happened at 3am Friday.  Police say a 17 year old that didn’t have a license was driving.  He’s accused of hitting a parked car before going into the yard.  Police say the teen another a 15 year old boy left the car and were caught about several blocks away at Creve Couer and Roosevelt.

The boys were arrested for obstructing police.  The 17 year old was also ticketed for leaving the scene.  They were given notices to appear.

Christmas Care Program collects toys for 480 children

Donations to a program to give toys to children in La Salle and Peru were coming in slowly.  But some last minute generosity is helping 480 children receive Christmas presents this year.

Cameron Graper of Ax Church and Hope LP says things have turned out great and they have enough toys for the parents who signed up.

Approximately 1,000 toys are being distributed Friday and Saturday.  Graper doesn’t think that’s bad considering it’s their first year overseeing the Christmas Care Program.  In past years it was managed by the United Way.  Harvest Community Church in Peru is also involved.

Police Release Name Of Semi Crash Victim

As snow started flying, an out of state truck driver crashed and died near Ottawa.

36 year old Kimberly Cooley of Arkansas was westbound on Interstate 80 just past the Route 71 exit when she drove through a concrete median. The semi went down an embankment and overturned, finally stopping on railroad tracks. Cooley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her passenger, Patricia Thompson of Indiana was taken to Ottawa Regional Hospital. She was in the sleeper cab of the semi when the crash happened.

The crash happened just before 1:30 this morning. Westbound traffic was stopped for over six hours.

Peru Drug Unit Makes Marijuana Arrest

It wasn’t a major haul, but Peru’s drug unit did make another pot bust.

Felix Fuentes of La Salle was pulled over last evening on Progress Boulevard. He was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver. Fuentes is accused of having nearly five ounces of cannabis.

He was taken to the county jail.

Blago’s Brother Unhappy With Prison Sentence

CHICAGO (AP) – Rod Blagojevich’s brother says the 14-year prison sentence given to the convicted former governor is “grossly unfair.”

Robert Blagojevich spoke to his brother this week for the first time since July. Both brothers were once indicted in the federal investigation. Jurors last year deadlocked on charges against Robert Blagojevich.

Robert Blagojevich says he broke down crying when he heard the sentence for Rod. He says his brother is dealing with the thought of prison “remarkably well” and understands that “he’s going away for a long time.” He says his brother is also hopeful about a possible appeal.