Family Moves Into Ottawa Habitat For Humanity House

The newest local Habitat for Humanity family has moved into their new home.

Monica Snell and her three children have partnered with the area Habitat for Humanity to move into a new home on West Superior Street in Ottawa.  In moving in, Snell agrees to pay a no-interest mortgage and help work on a future Habitat home.

The local Habitat for Humanity is now rehabbing two houses in Streator.  Dorthy Burnley and her family have been picked to live in one of the homes.  No one’s been picked to live in the second rehabbed house.

Serena Woman Hurt In Kendall County Crash

A woman and two teenage girls from the area were hurt after crashing into each other north of Newark.

Shirley Riley of Serena and two 16-year old girls from Sandwich were taken to Valley West Hospital after a Friday evening accident on Route 71.  One of the teenage girls was ticketed for running a stop sign.

Deputies didn’t say how serious the injuries were.

Ottawa Military Mom Honored By Governor

Sheila McDonald now has a new way to remember her son who was killed fighting in Iraq.  She has a Gold Star banner to put in her window.

McDonald of Ottawa was one of a dozen Gold Star moms who were given the banners yesterday as part of a ceremony in Chicago led by Governor Pat Quinn.  The last Sunday in September is Gold Star Mother Day in the United States, honoring moms who lost sons or daughters in combat.

McDonald’s son Marine Cpl. Jonathon Beatty was killed in Iraq in 2005.  The 22-year old Beatty was supposed to come home a week after he ended up being gunned down.

Run/walk planned for Oglesby

A lot of things will be going on in Oglesby Saturday, October 6 including the Second Annual Holy Family Shuffle.  The three-mile walk-run starts at 10am at the school on Alice Avenue.  Registration is $25 on the day of the race.

Oglesby celebrates Harvest Festival Saturday with the scavenger hunt, Scarecrow Scramble; a car show, and farmer’s market.  The will also be a bonfire at the Dickenson House.

Benefit planned to help former Dalzell Firefighter

A man that’s used to fighting fires is now fighting bone cancer and his colleagues would like to help him.  The Dalzell Fire Department is holding a benefit for former firefighter Dave Bernabei Saturday, October 6 from 3-11pm at the fire department.

They’re calling their effort, “Team Dave.”  T-shirts and bracelets are being sold.  There will also be a silent auction, 50-50 drawing and food.  Music will be by Ric Soens and Dewey Oxburger.

Peoria Carp Hunters featured in Animal Planet show

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) – An Animal Planet TV show featuring the acrobatic exploits of Asian carp along the Illinois River will air Sunday.

TV crews spent four days filming in and around Peoria last summer for an episode of “Off the Hook: Extreme Catches” called “Carpocalypse Now.”

The invasive species is feared because it could have a disastrous impact on aquatic life, boating and fishing if the carp migrate from the Mississippi and its tributaries to Lake Michigan. They fish are also known for leaping from the water.

In the show, host Eric Young meets the Peoria Carp Hunters, a local group that hunts the fish with bows and arrows.

Flu clinics planned for Tuesday

Have you received a flu shot yet?  You can get one during a La Salle County Health Department flu clinic Tuesday at the Streator Knights of Columbus.  The clinic is from 2-5pm.

You don’t need a doctor’s order to receive the vaccine, though children six months old through 17 years old should be with a parent.  There’s a cost for the shot.  You’ll receive a receipt to file with your insurance company.

Illinois Valley Community Hospital will also have flu clinics on Tuesday.  The first clinic goes from 8:30-10:30am at the Utica Township Community Building.  The second clinic is from 1-4pm at Illinois Valley Community College.  Flu shots at those clinics are $25.

Heroin Bust In Streator

Two drug arrests under one roof in Streator.

Members of TRIDENT along with Streator Police search a home on East Main Street Thursday and arrested Robert and Jennifer Almanza.  Robert Almanza picked up for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.  He’s accused of having heroin.  Jennifer Almanza was picked up for having cannabis and paraphernalia.

Robert Almanza was taken to the La Salle County Jail while Jennifer was released with a court date.

SUV Fire On Interstate 180

An SUV burst into flames near Princeton.

Princeton firefighters and state troopers got a call Friday afternoon around one for an SUV that had rolled into a ditch and caught fire on Interstate 180 near Route 6.  According to the NewsTribune, a passerby pulled the driver out of the burning SUV.  The driver was taken to Perry Memorial Hospital.

The driver’s name hasn’t been released.

Freedom House Names New Director

There’s a new woman in charge of a domestic and sexual violence shelter.

Rosemary Cain has been named executive director at the Freedom House in Princeton.  She’s been the interim director since April.  The Freedom House board says it picked Cain after a nationwide search.

Freedom House assists domestic and sexual violence victims in Bureau, Marshall, Putnam, Henry and Stark counties.