Red Cross helps family after trailer fire near Norway

A trailer fire near Norway has destroyed a family’s home and belongings.  A man passing by the trailer called in the blaze just before 1:30pm Friday.

Serena Fire Chief Rodney Reese says the man had to be treated for smoke inhalation after trying to enter the home.

A woman and her child weren’t home, but several cats and dogs were.  Firefighters were unable to save them.  The fire left the home and its contents a loss.  The cause is being investigated but it looks to have started near the water heater.

Volunteers with the Illinois Valley Red Cross are helping the family receiving food and clothing.

Teen taken St. Francis Medical Center following crash in Putnam County

If you were following the story of the crash on Route 26, police say the driver was a 16 year old Granville girl.  The accident happened shortly after 4pm Friday at the Coffee Creek Bridge.

Police say the girl lost control and hit the guardrail before her car caught on fire.  The girl was taken to Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton and later transferred to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  Her name or condition weren’t made available.

La Salle County saw 23 civil unions since June 1

Did you attend any wedding this year?  Maybe you watched a civil union ceremony instead.

Since civil unions became available June 1 in Illinois many same-sex and heterosexual couples have chosen to make their relationship legal.

As of this week, there had been 23 civil union licenses taken out in La Salle and four in Bureau.  Nobody applied for a license in Putnam County.

Woman drives down enbankment in La Salle, gets arrested for DUI

An overnight crash in La Salle left a woman a little too close to a set of railroad tracks.  Police believe Katherine White of La Salle had been drinking before she drove her SUV down an embankment and onto railroad property along Canal Street.  It happened shortly after 2am Friday.

Firefighters had to remove White from her car.  She was treated for injuries at Illinois Valley Community Hospital and was arrested for DUI and improper lane usage.  More charges are pending.

Two More Arrested In La Salle Cigar Store Burglary

Two more people have been arrested in the burglary of Frank’s Cigar Store in La Salle.

Back on December 20th, Thomas Cass of Florida was picked up for two counts of burglary. Yesterday, a 17 year old girl from La Salle was arrested as well for two counts of burglary and Bradley Sadnick of La Salle was also arrested for burglary in relation to Frank’s Cigar Store. Both were taken to the county jail with ten thousand dollars bond.

Investigators think the trio could be responsible for a burglary in Peru also.

Ottawa Man Accused Of Stealing Donation Jar

A frequent customer of an Ottawa gas station may not be welcomed back after allegedly being caught stealing.

James Poggi of Ottawa is accused of stealing a donation jar from Casey’s General Store in Ottawa. The jar had 60 to 90 dollars in it. The money was going towards treatment for a 2-year old with leukemia.

Police say Poggi was caught on surveillance stealing the jar and that he was a frequent customer at Casey’s. They weren’t able to get the money back after Poggi said he bought groceries with it.

He’s been indicted for felony retail theft. Bond was set at 25 thousand dollars.

Backseat Seat Belt Law Opinions Differ

Do you ever wear a seatbelt while riding in the backseat? It’ll become state law Sunday.

Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill this year requiring everyone on the road to buckle up. The law currently requires back-seat passengers who are 19 and under to wear seat belts.

District 17 State Trooper Craig Graham supports the change. He says as seat belt use goes up, crash deaths go down.

Exemptions from the law would be if you’re riding in the back-seat of a taxi, school bus, ambulance or driving a mail truck. Also anyone with a physical problem making it difficult to wear a seat belt is exempted.

State Representatives Frank Mautino and Pam Roth voted against the proposal as did Senator Sue Rezin.