IVCC presents “Xanadu”

A musical that uses the music of Electric Light Orchestra while poking fun at a 1980’s movie staring Olivia Newton-John comes to the stage at St. Bede Academy.

“XANADU – The Musical” is actually being performed by the Illinois Valley Community College theater department.

Vocal Director Norman Engstrom is Zeus, Emily Hanck is Kira, complete with an Australian accent and roller skates and, Andrew Loebach is Sonny.

Due to construction at IVCC, the musical is being performed at St. Bede Academy’s Little Theatre.  Performances are at Fridays April 19 and 26, Saturdays, April 20 and 27 and Sundays, April 21 and 28.

You can reserve tickets for $15 by calling the college.

LP and Hall Students take first place at IVCC writing competition

Writing is a talent.  A few local high school students received praise for their works during the 2013 High School Writing Competition. It was held last month at Illinois Valley Community College.

LP High School’s Katlyn Gealow won first place in the essay writing contest.  Second place went to Yesenia Castro of Hall High School.  Third place went to Robert Henry of LP. 

Hall High School’s Drew Lechner won first place in the journalism competition.  LP’s Nadia Valentine of took second and Ottawa High School’s Clayton Conness earned third. 

Winners receive scholarships through the IVCC Foundation. 

Woman accused of selling heroin in Princeton

Undercover drug cops purposely try to look like the average Joe.  It apparently worked during a drug bust in Princeton.  Police with TRIDENT arrested a woman from Bureau after she allegedly sold heroin to an undercover officer outside of a business in Princeton Thursday.

Lauren Ferrari was arrested for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and was taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Jimmy Tyron Brown of Chicago was ticketed for misdemeanor cannabis possession and was released after posting bond.

Guns Stolen From Oglesby Home

While a man in Oglesby was at work, he says someone broke into his home and stole several guns.

Oglesby Assistant Police Chief Michael Margis says two handguns and two shotguns were stolen during the burglary in the 400 block of North Columbia Avenue.  Officers got the theft call around 9 last night.

If you have information, call Oglesby Police or Crime Stoppers.  Margis says the stolen guns are legally registered.  He says at least one gun was loaded.

Meth Arrest In Spring Valley

A Magnolia man is in trouble for meth.

Spring Valley Police say they pulled Daniel Price over yesterday afternoon for having a loud muffler.  He was eventually arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.  They say he was selling meth.

Price was also picked up for possession of cannabis.  He was taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Illinois River Rising Slowly

A Flood Warning continues for the Illinois River but the stream isn’t expected to get as high as previously thought.

The forecast is the for the Illinois River at La Salle to rise to or slightly above flood stage tomorrow morning but then start to recede.  The water’s not expected to get high enough to affect parking and the boat launch at Starved Rock.

A Flood Advisory is also in effect for the Illinois at Ottawa with the river expected to rise near flood stage tonight.