Follows friend and falls

Unfortunately, falls and accidents have begun in our state parks. An Atkinson woman may be celebrating her birthday in a hospital after a fall Saturday at Starved Rock. Sgt Robert Frazier is with the Conservation Police. He said 19-year old Danielle Stogdill followed a male friend down the side of Owl Canyon just before 3pm, but slipped and fell forty feet. Gary Gbur, Utica Fire chief said 15 paramedic and rescue personnel repelled down and carried the two out. Stogdill was lifeflighted to St. Francis Hospital.  She’s in fair condition. Frazier said the 21-year old Travis Ashley of Geneseo will be cited with unlawful climbing and being in a restricted area. Stogdill could face charges as well.

Stretch of I & M Canal tow path to reopen Sunday

Partly sunny with warm temperatures- sounds like great weather for visiting a state park.  Make a trip to Buffalo Rock Sunday and you’ll be able to use parts of the park that had been closed because of safety issues triggered by a shooting range.

Closed portions of the park will temporarily reopen tomorrow.  That includes a five mile section of the I and M Canal between Buffalo Rock and Utica.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller says they’re doing it because of a delay and temporary restraining order placed on the Buffalo Range Shooting Park.

A judge earlier this month issued an order preventing the shooting range from opening for the season.  A hearing was scheduled for Monday, but that’s been delayed.

Miller says the trail could be closed again if there are more safety concerns.

Two face gun related charges in Mendota

What do drugs and guns have in common?  Maybe something.  A man in Mendota faces a felony gun related charged after an investigation by the Mendota Police Department and the drug team TRIDENT.

Lauro Carlos turned himself in on a warrant Friday for unlawful sale of firearms by a liquor licensee.  He’s free after posting bond.

Also arrested was Gerardo Sarabia of Mendota.  Police say he turned himself in Friday on a warrant for illegally selling a firearm.   Sarabia is free after posting post.

Man killed by train in Morris, identity unknown

A death investigation in Morris has police turning to you.  Grundy County Coroner John Callahan and the Morris Police Department are hoping someone can help them figure out the name of a man who died after being hit by a train late Friday evening.

It happened near the Liberty Street crossing.  The man was white with dark hair wearing black nylon sweat pants, a Morris Redskin tee shirt, a gray sweatshirt and tennis shoes.  He didn’t have an ID.

If you have information call the Morris Police Department.

Mendota man accused of sexual abuse

Sexual abuse charges for a 70 year old man in Mendota.  Donald Knuth of Mendota turned himself in Friday on a La Salle County warrant for two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Police say the arrest came after an investigation by them and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Knuth is free after posting pond.