Cocaine and marijuana arrest in Ottawa

While heroin has dominated local drug arrests lately, cocaine is still an issue.

Ottawa officers along with members of Tri-Dent arrested Patrick Mitchell Thursday at his apartment on Main Street for possession of a controlled substance which allegedly was heroin. He was also picked up for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.

Investigators say Mitchell had 35 grams of cocaine and 8 grams of cannabis along with $850 in cash. He was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Streator man facing felony charges after standoff with police

The man who allegedly caused a police standoff in Streator faces two felony charges.

51-year-old Jon Collins of Streator was in court yesterday after he was arrested Wednesday morning at his home. He’s accused of threatening his wife with a gun. Collins allegedly fired shots into the ceiling and caused an over three-hour standoff with police from Streator and Livingston County along with a hostage negotiating team from Bloomington.

Collins faces felony charges of aggravated assault and reckless discharge of a firearm. He’s being held on $100,000 bond.

Plenty of college scholarship opportunities available for area students

There is help if you are trying to pay for a college education. Tri-County Opportunities Council is offering 12 scholarships of up to one thousand 250 dollars.

They’re looking for students pursuing high demand careers. The scholarships are also for low-income students and students of racial or ethnic minorities who meet the standards.
The scholarship is open to students in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam and other surrounding counties. April 18 is the last day to apply.

More information is available at http://www.tcochelps.org/

Area rivers on the rise

As expected, area rivers are on the rise after recent rain. Flood warnings are in effect for the Illinois River at La Salle and Vermilion River near Leonore.

The Illinois in La Salle is a little over 18 feet right now. It’s expected to climb two feet above flood stage by tomorrow evening.
The Vermilion near Leonore is sitting at 11 feet right now. It’s expected to rise another five feet by tomorrow afternoon.

A Flood advisory is in effect for the Illinois River at Ottawa where the stream isn’t expected to reach flood stage.

Heavy rainmaker moves out of the Illinois Valley

How’s your basement floor doing with all the rain in the last day or so?

According to the National Weather Service, an inch and a half of rain fell in Ottawa and Marseilles Thursday. Minonk had just under two inches while Peru, Mendota, Oglesby, Streator and Earlville all had between a half inch to an inch.

Basement flooding was a huge problem in Peoria where over three inches of rain fell Thursday.