Local businesses targeted by phone scammers

If someone claiming to be from Ameren Illinois calls demanding money hang up.  A business in Ottawa and another in La Salle received calls Monday from someone claiming to be from the utility company according to company spokesman Brian Bretsch.

He says the con artists told the businesses to put $500 on a Green Dot MoneyPak debit card and give them the pin number.  He says business owners in other parts of the state have fallen victim.  The callers target small businesses.

Bretsch says Ameren will send a letter if you’re late with your bill.  He says if someone claiming to be from Ameren demands money and threatens to turn off service, hang up and call Ameren.

I-80 traffic stop leads to drug arrests

Pulled over for speeding, two men from Arizona were arrested for drug charges.  State Police Troopers say Patrick Romolt and George Skoubis had 62 pounds of cocaine inside two backpacks in their car.

Romolt and Skoubis were stopped on Interstate 80 near Spring Valley early Sunday morning.  Police say they searched the car after smelling marijuana.  They were taken to the Bureau County jail for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Gas Leak On Southside Of Utica

No one was hurt after a gas leak evacuated Consolidated Grain and Barge in Utica.

Fire departments from across the Illinois Valley along with a hazmat crew were called to the south side of Utica around 8am Monday.  Utica Fire Chief Ben Brown says a three-quarter inch gas line was leaking. Consolidated Grain workers noticed the smell and called 911 after evacuating.

Ameren had the leak fixed and fire departments left the scene after a couple hours.

More Snow Is On The Way

Another snowstorm is on the horizon for the Illinois Valley.

Snow is expected to pay another visit starting Tuesday afternoon and continuing into early Wednesday.  Right now places like Marshall and McLean County and areas south of there are supposed to get the most snow with 6 to 8 inches possible.  Marshall County is under a Winter Storm Watch starting at noon Tuesday.

The snowfall prediction for the La Salle-Peru and Ottawa area Tuesday into Wednesday is between 2 to 5 inches.

Another Snowy Weekend In The Valley

So how much snow did you get over the weekend?

According to the National Weather Service, just over 7 inches fell in Mendota with six or more in Ottawa, Marseilles, Seneca and Streator.  Around 5 inches was measured in La Salle and Sheridan.

Pontiac had the most snow over the weekend with 10 inches.

Dresses needed for Promise Sale in Princeton

It’s February 3, there’s snow in the forecast yet many teenage girls are picking out a dress for prom.  A church in Princeton is giving area girls the chance to buy a secondhand dress for $50 or less during their Promise Sale.

Your old prom, homecoming, and bridesmaid dresses are needed.  Amy Thompson will be sorting through the dresses as they arrive.  She says all of the proceeds are being donated to the Living Works Suicide Walk and the First United Methodist Youth Fellowship.

The sale is March 1 from 9am-3pm at the First United Methodist Church in Princeton.

Donate your dress at the Apollo Theater in Princeton now through Thursday and receive a free bucket of popcorn.  Dresses may also be left at the church.

Learn more by listening to an interview with Thompson at the WLPO AM and FM news page.