Local food pantry distributes Christmas meals to 544 families

Some families have roast beef and others have ham for Christmas.  More families will have something to eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas thanks to donations to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

Christmas meal supplies were given to nearly 1,600 people Saturday at the pantry in La Salle.  Donna Hess, the executive director of the pantry, says that’s about 544 families. 

The pantry will be closed for the holiday and reopen January 2. 

Driver Runs Away From Deputies In Streator

La Salle County deputies kicked off their Christmas Eve with a chase.

Deputies are still looking for Jose Martin Castillo after they say he crashed into concrete barriers Tuesday morning in Streator and was able to run away.  He’s wanted on several charges including reckless driving.  His two passengers also tried running but were caught.

Elizabeth Moncevalles of Streator was wanted on a La Salle County warrant for failing to appear in court.  She was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

The other passenger Sergio Montoya of Streator was released with no official charges.

Crash In Spring Valley Involves Handful Of Children

A crash in Spring Valley involved a seven-year old girl being sent to the hospital.

Juan Arana-Salinas of DePue lost control of his SUV Saturday when trying to pass Antonio Madrigal also of DePue.  Arana-Salinas slid on Route 29 and hit a guardrail before clipping Madrigal.

Arana-Salinas had four passengers ranging in age from 3 to 12 years old.  A 7-year old girl was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital.  Everyone else refused treatment.

Arana-Salinas was ticketed for driving without a valid license and failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Illinois Valley Pretty Much Assured Of A White Christmas

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas prepare to have your dream come true.

On top of the snow that’s already on the ground, another 1 to 3 inches is possible Christmas Eve night into Christmas morning.  The snow is expected to mainly fall between midnight Tuesday and 9am Christmas morning.

There could be blowing snow in some places with wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour while the snow is falling.  On the positive side, the high temperature Christmas day will be near 30.