Tropical Storm Isaac could bring rain to northern Illinois

Right now Tropical Storm Isaac’s effects on the Illinois Valley is the price of gas.  In a few days, the storm will make things rainy.

Rain from Isaac is expected to start falling in northern Illinois Friday night and continuing thru Saturday.

Jamie Enderlen with the National Weather Service in Chicago predicts just how much rain will fall.

Despite the potential for heavy rain, Enderlen doesn’t think Isaac will mean severe weather for the Illinois Valley.  There’s also a chance it could move so slow that it dies out even before reaching northern Illinois.

If several inches of rain do fall, Enderlen says it won’t be enough to end the drought.

Listen to an interview with Enderlen at the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Peru bank robbery suspected indicted

A man accused of robbing a Eureka Savings Bank branch in Peru has been indicted.  A grand jury Tuesday indicted Vernard King of Peoria and Oglesby for aggravated robbery.

King was arrested last Wednesday at home on Zinc Street in La Salle, one day after investigators believe he robbed the bank in Peru.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says King is also a person of interest in a July bank robbery in Peoria.

King remains in the La Salle County Jail with his bond at $750,000.  He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow.

No Change Of Venue In Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Ottawa Firefighter

A wrongful death lawsuit against an Ottawa firefighter will be decided in La Salle County.

Circuit Judge Eugene Daugherity denied a motion by lawyers of Ken Cusick to move his case out of La Salle County because of publicity making it hard to pick a fair jury.

The sister of Tracy Cusick filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Ken Cusick after a coroner’s jury found that his wife Tracy’s 2006 death was a homicide.  For years Cusick’s death was ruled an accidental drowning.  Her body was exhumed and new tests were done showing she was a victim of foul play.  Ken Cusick was the only adult around when his wife died.

The next hearing in the Cusick lawsuit is September 27^th.

Doctors Say Savio Fell Instead Of Being Murdered

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) – A second forensic pathologist has testified for the defense at Drew Peterson’s trial, saying he believes the former cop’s third wife died in an accidental fall in her bathtub.

Dr. Vincent DiMaio told jurors Tuesday that a combination of factors may have led Kathleen Savio to slip and hit her head. He says the tub’s bottom was slick and oils used by her as she bathed made it even more slippery.  Earlier Tuesday, Dr. Jeffrey Jentzen testified that a gash on Savio’s head and bruising on her side were telltale signs of a fatal slip and fall.

Savio’s body was found in her bathtub in 2004, and her death was initially ruled accidental. It was reclassified a homicide only after Peterson’s fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, disappeared in 2007.

Parade, Picnic And Statue To Honor Streator Labor Leader

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is honoring a long time labor leader from Streator.

Quinn has declared Sunday “Reuben G. Soderstrom Day.” It will be devoted to the man who was president of the Illinois AFL-CIO for 40 years.

A parade is planned in Streator at noon. A statue will be unveiled and dedicated in Streator City Park after the parade. It will stand in a plaza which will display 14 bronze tablets featuring quotes from Soderstrom’s speeches. The statue is based on a 1920’s photo with Soderstrom and President Franklin Roosevelt.

Soderstrom was born in 1888. He led the Illinois AFL-CIO from 1930 until his death in 1970. He also served in the House of Representatives in the 1920s.