Memorial Day begins with La Salle Police dealing with alleged armed and suicidal man

If you wondered what all the commotion was on the east side of La Salle just after midnight Memorial Day, it was for a suicidal man with a gun.

La Salle Police were joined by members of the State Police, Oglesby PD and La Salle County Sheriff’s Office in dealing with a 49-year old man threatening suicide with a shotgun. The man was eventually talked into being taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru without incident.

He faces possible weapons charges. The man’s name wasn’t released.

Lawmakers start final week of spring session with a lot to do

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – While you may have the day off, your lawmakers are headed back to Springfield. Legislators return to the Capitol for their final week of the spring session with much of the heavy lifting still to do.

The biggest remaining issue before lawmakers as they reconvene is approving next year’s budget.
As part of those debates legislators also must decide whether to make Illinois’ temporary income tax increase permanent rather than letting it roll back as scheduled in January.

They also could vote on whether to set aside $100 million to help build Barack Obama’s presidential library in Chicago.
Saturday is the last day of the session.

Starved Rock State Park can become too full?

Officials at Starved Rock State Park weren’t kidding around when they thought thousands upon thousands of people would show up at the state park this weekend.

A listener of Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO called Sunday afternoon to say his wife was turned away at the Starved Rock entrance because the park was at capacity. No one was available to take a call from WLPO at the park.

Starved Rock’s Natural Resources Coordinator Jolyn Wise had predicted over 30 thousand people to spend time at the park over the holiday weekend.

Rain returns to the Illinois Valley

It could be a rainy week ahead in the Illinois Valley.

If you have outdoor plans Memorial Day, keep in mind there’s a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. While some storms could have lightning and heavy rain, there’s no severe threat.

The chance of showers and storms continues on Tuesday thru Thursday. High temperatures this week will stay in the upper 70s to low 80s.