Drug arrest near Utica leads to an arrest in Chicago

More than 100 pounds of marijuana and thousands of dollars were found during an investigation that began as a traffic stop near Utica.

Robert Krohn of Fortuna, California was stopped Saturday by the Utica Police Department and arrested for cannabis trafficking after police say they found 15 pounds of marijuana and cash.

The investigation continued Sunday when drug officers in Chicago arrested Joshua Kahan of Chicago for conspiracy to commit cannabis trafficking.  Police say that he had marijuana and $16,000 in cash.

Police say they also found 100 more pounds of marijuana at another home in Chicago and more cash.

Wash. man gets life for 1957 slaying of Ill. girl

CHICAGO (AP) – A Washington man convicted in the 1957 slaying of a 7-year-old Illinois girl has been sentenced to life in prison.

Judge James Hallock sentenced 73-year-old Jack McCullough at a hearing Monday in Sycamore, the small community where Maria Ridulph was abducted and killed in December of 1957.

McCullough was convicted in September after a trial in which prosecutors contended that McCullough, then a 17-year-old named John Tessier, approached Ridulph and another little girl outside Ridulph’s house. Prosecutors say McCullough abducted and killed Ridulph after the other child ran home.

McCullough was arrested last year in Washington state after some people came forward with information that linked him to the slaying. They included members of McCullough’s family.

Alleged Peru Drunk Driver Hits Car, Mailbox And Fights With Police

A homeowner needs a new mailbox after a crash blamed on a drunken driver in Peru.

John Mason Jr. was pulled over last evening on 27^th Street for leaving the scene of a crash involving a parked car and mailbox.  Officers say he put up a brief struggle so he was arrested for obstructing a peace officer along with DIU, leaving the scene of an accident, and criminal damage to property.

Mason Jr. was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Judgement Day Coming For Dwight Prison

The official death blow to the Dwight Correctional Center could come this Wednesday.

Governor Pat Quinn plans to ask a judge Wednesday morning for permission to close the women’s prison in Dwight.  A judge in Alexander County has an injunction in place to keep Dwight open but lawmakers last week affirmed the governor’s veto of funding for the prison.

Over 300 people work at the Dwight women’s prison including dozens who live in La Salle County.

Honoring Vets In Marseilles

This Saturday morning, over 700 wreath laying ceremonies will happen simultaneously across the country.  One of those places is in Marseilles.

The Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial is the site locally to honor veterans during the “Wreaths Across America Day”.  Seven wreaths will be put at the wall in Marseilles to honor the Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA.

The Wreaths Across America idea started over 20 years ago when were laid in Arlington National Cemetery.

IVCC Transitioning To Spring Semester

As one semester ends at Illinois Valley Community College another is almost ready to begin.

Tuition for the Spring semester at IVCC is due by Wednesday night at 7.  If you fail to pay up, you could be dropped from classes.

If you receive some type of financial aid like loans or grants, make sure to contact IVCC no later than Wednesday night so your classes can still be reserved.

Spring semester at IVCC starts January 14^th.

Thousands Made From Crundwell Auctions

DIXON, Ill. (AP) – Online auctions of items belonging to former Dixon comptroller Rita Crundwell have raised more than $275,000.

Items were seized from the Florida property after Crundwell was charged with embezzling $53 million from Dixon. That auction ended Friday and included a farmhouse-style kitchen table with eight chairs. It sold for more than $10,700.

The U.S. Marshals Service reports another auction for her Dixon assets ended this weekend and included a grand piano that sold for more than $4,000. There were more than 10,000 bids placed between the two auctions.

The Marshals Service also is selling her two Dixon homes and ranch and the Florida home.