Dekalb County store owner arrested during a federal crackdown

A tobacco store owner in Sandwich has been taken down as part of a nationwide synthetic drug bust.

Altaf Dandia of Naperville was arrested Wednesday on a federal warrant for Conspiracy to Defraud the U.S. and Violation of the Controlled Substance Act. He’s accused of selling synthetic cannabis at his store in Sandwich called Main Stop, Inc.

Investigators say they found multiple packages of synthetic cannabis in the tobacco shop. The Drug Enforcement Administration worked with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office in making the arrest.  Dandia was taken to the DeKalb County Jail.

La Salle County Board looking at million dollar flood wall for county nursing home

After having to evacuate the county nursing home three times in the last five years because of flooding, the La Salle County Board is looking to build a levee around the property.

The board is applying for a $450,000 state grant to build a flood wall along the Illinois River on the southside of the nursing home extending to Dee Bennett Road. They will also put up a removable retaining wall on Dee Bennett Road.

The total cost is just over a million dollars so the county would be spending $636 thousand of its own money budgeted in the nursing home fund. They’re also paying North Central Illinois Council of Governments fifteen hundred dollars for submitting the grant application.

Nursing Home Committee Chairman Gary Small says they’ll probably find out if they get the grant in November or December so construction of the nursing home levee couldn’t start until 2015.

Ladd man accused of using dead man’s checks and stealing silver

A handyman is accused of stealing checks and silver from the home of a dead man.

Brandon Holt of Ladd faces four counts of forgery and one count theft over $500. Holt was arrested Wednesday after Peru Police investigated the death of an elderly man who hadn’t been seen in weeks.

Police say Holt had done handy work for James Aitken.  Aitken’s body was found in his home May 1. His death wasn’t considered foul play though he had been dead for a while.

Bolt was taken to the La Salle County Jail. More charges are pending in Bureau County where he allegedly used some of the stolen checks.

Traffic delays expected with bridge inspection in Ottawa

A so-called routine inspection will make getting in and out of downtown Ottawa a hassle next week.

Starting Monday, state workers will be inspecting the Route 23 bridge over the Illinois River in Ottawa. The inspection will last through Wednesday.

During the inspection, one lane in each direction will be closed to traffic. Needless to say you should expect delays.

Flaggers will be near the bridge directing traffic.