Sexual Assault Arrest In La Salle

A man from La Salle is facing a sex crime charge.

Phalen Bertalot was arrested this week by La Salle Police on a warrant for predatory criminal sexual assault.  Officers say he committed the sexual assault at various locations.

Bertalot was taken to the La Salle County Jail.  He’s being held on a million dollars bond.

Predatory criminal sexual assault is a Class X Felony with a possible prison sentence of 6 to 30 years.

Mendota Marine Posthumously Inducted Into Local Hall Of Fame

A fallen marine is among eight people who will be inducted this year into the Saint Bede Academy Hall of Fame.

Captain Thomas Heitmann was killed September 19^th, 2011 when his helicopter crashed during training near Camp Pendleton, California.  He was a 1^st lieutenant at the time of his death and later elevated to rank of captain.

Heitmann was a Mendota native but graduated from St. Bede in 2002.  He was part of the school’s most successful football team.

Joining Heitmann in being inducted in the academy’s hall of fame this year is retired WLPO AM and FM sports director Lanny Slevin.  The ceremony is on Saturday, October 5^th.

Large Fish Kill At Lake DePue

A lot of methods have been tried to kill off Asian Carp.  A simple dose of heat seems to be as good a solution as any.

A large fish kill has taken place at Lake DePue.  Conservation officials think many of the fish floating on the lake dead are asian carp.  They were likely killed off because of too much heat and not enough rain.

Hot and dry weather limits oxygen from the lake for the fish.

Bodies Found In Pontiac Motel Were A Mother And Son

PONTIAC, Ill. (AP) – Pontiac police say a woman and man found shot to death in a motel room last week were mother and son.

57-year-old Jean Corrice and 23-year-old Tyler Friant were found dead August 20th. A third person also was shot and that victim remains hospitalized in Springfield.

Police say Corrice was living at the Palamar Motel. They say officers went to the motel for a well-being check when Corrice didn’t show up at work. They say officers found the victims along with a firearm.

Tri County Fair Continues In Mendota

Rabbits and hogs will be some of the animals featured at the Tri County Fair Saturday.  The carnival and food stands open at noon.

Truck and tractor pulls are at 11am and 6pm.  There are also fireworks, live music and a beer garden at night.

Sunday night brings the bulls and barrels bash.  The demolition derby is Monday.

Admission to the fair is free but grandstand events are extra. The fair runs through Monday at the fairgrounds in Mendota.

Concealed-carry instructor applications available

     SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois State Police say applications for training to be a concealed-carry instructor are now available.

      State police made the announcement Friday, a week before a Sept. 6 deadline to make the paperwork available for those who want to teach concealed-carry classes in Illinois.

      Those who want to apply for a concealed-carry license in Illinois must successfully complete training from an approved Illinois concealed-carry firearms instructor. Illinois concealed-carry licenses will be available in early January. Approved instructors will be listed in a state registry.

      In July, Illinois became the last state in the nation to approve a concealed-carry law. 

     Online: Applications are available at http://www.isp.state.il.us/

Toluca celebrates with bocce ball and a carnival this weekend

          If you’re a fan of bocce ball or just small town celebrations, take a ride to Toluca this weekend.  Toluca Labor Days features a local talent show for kids, food, music and a one of the largest bocce ball tournaments in the state.

          Kids’ activities being at 10:30am Saturday at the new park.  The carnival and food stands open at 5pm.  The beer garden opens at 7pm.

          Sunday brings the men and women’s bocce ball tournaments. 

La Salle man accused of trying to bust into an apartment

          There’s a reason why doors have locks.  Police officers were called to an apartment on 10^th Street in La Salle early Friday morning for a man accused of trying to get in.

          Police say they found Jeffrey Elwell of La Salle outside.  He was arrested for felony criminal trespass to a residence and resisting a peace officer.  Elwell was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Labor Day Gas Prices

Headed out on a road trip for the holiday weekend? Prices at the pump vary across the Illinois Valley.

According to GasBuddy.com, prices in La Salle and Peru have shot up nearly 20 cents a gallon in the past 24 hours.  Most stations in the La Salle and Peru area are now selling unleaded for $3.55 to $3.59 per gallon.  Gas in Streator and Ottawa has actually come down about a dime since last week now selling at just under $3.60 a gallon.

The cheapest gas in the state is in Dixon at $3.34 a gallon.

Tax Time Coming Soon

Not to bring down your excitement of a long holiday weekend but here’s a friendly reminder that property taxes are due soon.

The second installment of property taxes in La Salle County is due Monday, September 9^th.  A 1 ½ per month penalty takes effect the very next day if taxes aren’t paid.

You can pay your taxes at the treasurer’s office in Ottawa by check, mail your taxes to the treasurer or pay by credit card or automatic withdrawal from your bank account.