Reynolds replaces Edgcomb on La Salle City Council

One alderman leaves and a new alderman gets appointed to the La Salle City Council.  Second Ward Alderman Joe Edgcomb decided to quit his seat because of family and time obligations according to Mayor Jeff Grove.  Edgcomb wasn’t at the last three city council meetings including Tuesday night’s when his resignation was accepted.

Jerry Reynolds was sworn in to fill his seat on the council and in committees.  Reynolds ran against Edgcomb and lost during the spring 2011 election.  Reynolds will finish out Edgcomb’s term which last through April 2015.

Reynolds is the second alderman to be recently appointed to the council.  John Duncan the Third was appointed to take the Third Ward seat that was held by his son, John Duncan the Fourth.

Video Gaming Action Hot In Princeton

Video gaming revenues are in for November and so far they’re not creating a financial windfall for local cities and counties.

The Road Ranger in Princeton had the most gaming action last month in the listening area with over 274 thousand dollars put into the gaming machines.  The city of Princeton’s share of the profit will be a thousand dollars.  The next hottest video gaming spot was Shaker’s Lounge with over 195 thousand dollars gambled. Ottawa gets 760 dollars from the gamblers.

Elsewhere in the area, Peru gets 427 dollars from video gaming at Art Giese’s Tavern and over 200 dollars from the Illinois Valley Super Bowl.  La Salle gets 15 bucks from John’s North Star gambling revenues.  Mendota gets nearly 400 dollars from gambling at its Road Ranger and over 20 bucks from El Zarape while Ottawa gets 500 dollars from video gambling revenues at Dettore Lanes.

Ottawa Threatens To Shut Off Naplate’s Water

Water may be shut off soon to all of Naplate.

The Ottawa City Council has sent Naplate a letter saying they’ll stop offering water if the village doesn’t pay 22 thousand dollars in overdue water bills.  When Ottawa raised its water rates a few months ago, Mayor Bob Eschbach says Naplate officials refused to pay the new rates.  He says Naplate still will get a break since the city normally charges twice the rates for extending services outside city limits.

Commissioner Dale Baxter says it time for Ottawa to “stick to its guns”.

Peru man accused of child porn charges

An effort to crack down on people who have child pornography has led to a man being arrested in Peru.

Ronald Mistarz was arrested Tuesday after an investigation by Peru Police detectives and the LaSalle and Will County Sates Attorneys’ Offices.  The Channahon Police and U.S. Secret Service agents were also involved.

Mistarz is charged with three counts of aggravated child pornography and will be in LaSalle County bond court tomorrow.

Men accused of having “shrooms” in Ottawa

Psychedelic drugs aren’t as common as narcotics in the Illinois Valley but they’re out there.

Police with TRIDENT Monday arrested two men in Ottawa accused of having psilocybin mushrooms.  The arrests came after police searched Ryan Mueller’s home on Pine Street.

Mueller and Tyler Phillips, also of Ottawa, were arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and were being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Two Escape From Downtown Chicago Lockup

CHICAGO (AP) – Officers are searching for two inmates who escaped from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown Chicago.

Central District Police Sgt. Michael Lazzaro tells the Chicago Tribune that the two inmates being housed in the federal jail were discovered missing at about 8:45 this morning, a little less than four hours after they were last checked.

Lazzaro says the inmates both were wearing orange jump suits, and one was behind bars for a bank robbery.

Man Crashes Stolen Hummer In Ottawa

An out-of-control driver in Ottawa is accused of doing a lot of damage in a stolen Hummer.

Teenager Marc Robinson was arrested Monday morning after a short foot chase.  He allegedly ran from police after ditching a stolen Hummer.  Robinson’s accused of leaving the scene of two separate crashes Monday morning before hitting at least three parked vehicles and a pole outside the Columbus Street strip mall.

The homeless man was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving.  Robinson was taken to the La Salle County Jail.  More charges are pending.

Winter Storm On Its Way

There could be snow on the ground when winter officially arrives Friday.

The National Weather Service says a “rapidly strengthening” storm system will arrive Wednesday night into Thursday morning.  The latest prediction is calling for maybe a few inches locally with more as you head to the west and northwest.

Even if little snow falls, Thursday could be messy with wind gusts expected to be between 40 to 50 miles per hour.

Princeton Man Charged In NIU Hazing Death

A Princeton man is among over 20 frat members facing charges in the death of a Northern Illinois University student.

David Sailor is charged with misdemeanor hazing.  He’s accused of being part of an unsanctioned pledge party last month filled with underage binge drinking.  David Bogenberger of Plainfield was found dead at the frat house hosting the party and the coroner has said alcohol played a role.

Sailor and other frat members face academic sanctions besides criminal charges.