Sentencing delayed for Westclox arsonist

It’ll be another week before a judge sentences the older of two teens responsible for the fire at Westclox.  18-year old Steven Gallacher was originally scheduled to be sentenced today by Judge H. Chris Ryan.  Ryan was not at court Thursday.

Gallacher could receive six to 30 years in prison after being found guilty last month of aggravated arson.  Sentencing was rescheduled for next Thursday.

The younger boy was charged as a juvenile and pleaded guilty last spring.  He’s serving five years of probation and many hours of community service.

Second Part Of Firearm Deer Season Arrives

Get ready to see a lot of bright orange clothing.  It’s time for the weekend two of the firearm deer season in Illinois.

Hunting started Thursday morning and runs through Sunday.  During the first part of the season which lasted three days, hunters in Bureau County shot down just over a thousand deer.  The count in La Salle was just under 900 while hunters in Putnam County brought down nearly 400.

A reminder if you get a deer in La Salle County, you’re asked to take it to Buffalo Rock State Park to be tested for Chronic Wasting Disease.

L-P Board Looking At Raising Property Taxes

It’s not exactly a fiscal cliff but the L-P High School part of property tax bills is headed up.

The L-P School Board Wednesday night passed a tentative tax levy where the rate per 100 dollars assessed valuation goes up from $1.84 to $1.89.  Despite the proposed increase, Superintendent Steve Wrobleski says L-P has the fourth lowest tax rate out of 26 school districts in La Salle County.

The school district wants to collect over $8.3 million in property taxes next year, nearly 400 thousand dollars more than they got in property taxes this year.

Ill. license fee for state parks goes to governor

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois Senate has approved a $2 license plate fee to improve crumbling state parks.

The plan to cut into a $750 million backlog in park maintenance and repairs now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn. He’s indicated he approves of the proposal.

It was the second go for the Senate. The measure failed in June but received a 39-11 vote in favor today.

The money would be used by the Department of Natural Resources. It was suggested as an alternative to charging an entrance fee.

A basic annual license plate costs $99.

Extended Post Office Hours In La Salle And Ottawa

Do you fear long lines at the post office this time of the year?  This should help ease the wait.

La Salle and Ottawa posts offices will be open the next three Sundays from 1 until 5.  Besides being able to mail things at those two post offices, carriers from other area towns will pick up mail Sunday and drop it off in La Salle and Ottawa to be delivered that day instead of waiting until the next day.

La Salle Postmaster Kevin Christiansen says having Sunday hours will help lighten the load during the week which should mean less waiting in line.  He says the idea of opening on Sundays came from customer feedback.

Streator Children Complain Of Stranger In SUV Offering Them A Ride

Is there another after-school creeper making the rounds in Streator?

Kids on their way home from school Monday afternoon tell police that a man driving a purple SUV approached them and offered them a ride.  The children ran and called 911.

Streator Police say they were unable to find the purple SUV described by the kids.  The driver is described as being white with a grey beard.  His SUV had distinctive flower-patterned seat covers.

If you have information, call Streator Police.