U Way’s I Pull

Some five hundred people watched ten teams pull an airplane, a fire truck and a 30 ton cement truck Saturday in a contest of strength at the I V Regional Airport. It represented the kickoff of the United Way of the Illinois Valley’s annual campaign. According to Gary Halberg, chairman of the event and United Way board member, Deitz Drainage took first, Euclid Beverage of Princeton second and the LaSalle police athletic department third. Prized money was awarded. Winners were determined by adding their times across the three pulls. Ten teams had to pull the airplane thirty feet and the fire and cement trucks 15 feet each. Halberg says they hope to have a cargo jet to pull in next year’s contest.

possible injured hiker updated

Authorities are confident a call for help Saturday at Starved Rock State Park wasn’t a hoax and the person calling got assistance.  Sgt. Robert Frazier said Utica Fire Department was notified around 1pm that hikers heard someone calling for help.  About a 25 member search team, comprised of Ottawa River Rescue and fire departments from LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby, and Naplate  began a search around 1pm.  After finding no one in basically the East half of the park, the search was ended around 4:30.

Food pantry needs peanut butter and jelly

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple of school lunches that’s why the Hall Township Food Pantry is having a hard time keeping the ingredients on the shelves.

They’re hoping you can donate school lunch items like peanut butter and jelly.  Pantry Director Jan Martin says that even though schools have lunch programs, many students take their own lunch.

Donations can be brought to the pantry at the corner of First and Terry Streets in Spring Valley.

Police say a man threw a grill through a car window in Streator

Some people are hot heads and others are just plain violent.  A man in Streator is accused of throwing a grill through the back window of a car while someone was in it.

La Salle County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Christopher Mitchell shortly after midnight Saturday for domestic battery, reckless conduct and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.  Police say Mitchell knocked the phone out of the victim’s hand.

Mitchell’s being held in the La Salle County Jail.  His bond will be set by a judge Sunday.

Utica firefighters practice grain bin rescues

Every second counts when you’re trying to save someone from a grain bin accident.  Firefighters with the Utica Community Fire Protection District are sharpening their rescue skills during a class Saturday.

They’re learning how to use a rescue tube to free a person that has been trapped in a grain bin.