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.