Meth related charges for pair in Sheffield

Methamphetamine is more than an illegal drug; it’s a hazardous material.  A man and woman in Sheffield face meth related charges after police say they found a meth making operation in their home.

Anthony Whitmore and Katrina Robinder were arrested Tuesday after officers with TRIDENT searched their home, garage and car.

Police say the Illinois State Police Meth Response Team was called  to remove meth making chemicals and materials and to clean up the dump site.

Whitmore was arrested for unlawful possession of meth materials while Robinder was arrested for unlawful possession of meth precursors.  They were being held in the Bureau County Jail.

Christmas and New Year Day affecting some garbage routes

With any major holiday, there’s going to be garbage pickup changes.  Illinois Valley Waste Services has announced its Christmas and New Year’s pickup schedule.  They will be running routes one day behind the week of December 26^th thru the 31^st and January 2^nd thru the 7^th.

Grain truck driver ticketed for deadly accident

It’s been two and a half months since an accident that left a retired Ottawa dentist dead and another man injured.  Tuesday the man driving the grain truck involved in the crash was ticketed.

Everett Olmstead of Earlville has been charged with improper overtaking of a bicycle.  Investigators say Olmstead hit 76 year old Dr. John Harbeck and 79 year old Frank Piogott of Sheridan while the men were bicycling on County Highway 42 the morning of October 11.

Harbeck was pronounced dead at the scene while Piogott was treated for injuries.

Olmstead was given a February court date.

Two Arrested In Latest Alcohol Compliance Check

The latest underage alcohol sting at local businesses gets two women arrested.

State Police in La Salle checked on 19 businesses in Granville, Hennepin, McNabb, Mark and La Salle to see if they would sell alcohol to a teen working undercover. Brandi Pinkham of Granville and Kim Daul of La Salle were arrested for unlawful delivery of alcohol to a minor. Both were released with court dates.

Pinkham was working at Granville Big Shots while Daul was employed with La Salle Cigarette and Liquor.

Cigar Store Burglarized In La Salle

Florida is nice this time of the year. But one man from the sunshine state is accused of being in the Illinois Valley instead, breaking into a business.

Last Thursday, the owner of Frank’s Cigar Store in La Salle told police his business was burglarized. Yesterday, Thomas Cass of Florida was arrested for the burglary.

He was taken to the county jail for a bond hearing. Cass could face more charges.

Illinois Valley Ties To Livingston County Murder-Suicide

Two of the children killed in Friday’s murder-suicide in Livingston County have ties to Ottawa.

Brad Lemke of Ottawa is the father of 7-year old Ian and 8-year old Skyler Lemke. The two kids were killed by their mother Sara McMeen Friday at McMeen’s home in Emington. McMeen also killed one other child, her live-in boyfriend and herself.

The chief deputy sheriff of Livingston County says the investigation “has kind of stalled right now”. Investigators plan to talk to more family members and friends after funerals this week. All three children were found in the family’s backyard with gunshot wounds in the head.

You can hear funeral service arrangements for Ian and Skyler Lemke
on AM 1220 WLPO’s In Memoriam.

Route 178 Bridge Survey Results

If public opinion will direct IDOT on what to do with the Route 178 bridge, the answer is pretty clear.

During a November information hearing, 160 written comments were given to IDOT about what to do with replacing the bridge over the Illinois River in Utica. 108 people said to build a new bridge to the east while keeping the existing one up. Four people are against replacing the bridge completely while one person each said to just make repairs or close the Route 178 bridge completely. Not one person suggested closing the current bridge for two years while it’s rebuilt.

IDOT is planning a public hearing in the fall on next steps for the bridge.

Appeal Process Starts For Blagojevich

CHICAGO (AP) – Attorneys for Rod Blagojevich have formally begun the process of appealing the former Illinois governor’s conviction and prison sentence.

They did so in a court filing late Tuesday, notifying the U.S. District Court in Chicago that they intended to appeal to a higher court.

Blagojevich has been ordered to report to prison on March 15. Attorneys had said they planned to appeal.

The process of filing a full appeal is likely to drag on for several weeks or even months.

IVCH to open health clinic at IVCC

One of the things you leave behind in the transition from high school to college is the occasion visit to the school nurse.  Soon students at Illinois Valley Community College feeling sore throat coming on will be able to visit a nurse practitioner.

The IVCC Board of Trustees decided Tuesday night to allow Illinois Valley Community Hospital open an on-site health clinic.  It will be called “IVCH CampusCare.” They’ll see patients with upper respiratory infections and other illness along with proving Immunizations and screenings.  It’s expected to open when the hospital finds a person to work at the clinic.

InHouse Physicians of St. Charles also made a proposal but asked for a $30,000 start-up fee and a one-year guarantee of $15,000 per month.

Hearing begins for sand mine proposed for Utica

Noise, dust, and what having a sand mine next door could do to your property value are some of the concerns being discussed as officials with a sand mine make their case for setting up shop in Utica.

Illinois Sand Company is asking to have land south of the Route 6 Osage curves rezoned for mining and annexed into Utica.  The village’s planning commission Tuesday night was able to question one of the people behind the proposal, Illinois Cement President Wayne Emmer.

Emmer took the most grilling from attorney George Mueller, who is representing 28 people who oppose the mine.  Mueller asked about what the mine would do to future development and value of the homes near it.

Emmer says most of the neighbors wouldn’t have to see the operation because a 15 foot berm would be in place.  He estimates 120 to 130 trucks per shift would come and go from the mine to the Illinois Riverfront.  He says truck traffic would be limited to Route 6, East 13^th Road and a portion of North 2803^rd Road.  There would also be a well protection agreement.

Despite going for four hours, more people representing the mine still need to be questioned by the planning commission, Mueller, and anyone in the audience.  The hearing will resume Wednesday, January 4 at 5:30pm at Waltham Elementary South.