Rockford murder suspect in custody

   If you are following the story about a man accused of killing a man in Rockford and then a woman at rest stop near PawPaw,  2 Chicago TV stations, Rockford and Beloit police confirm Terence Doddy was taken into custody today around Noon.  NBC 5 says Rockford police say Doddy was apprehended on Highway 81 west of Beloit.

Ottawa Savings and Twin Oaks Savings Banks to merge

Customers of Twin Oaks Savings Bank will soon be the customers of Ottawa Savings Bank. Ottawa Savings Bancorp MHC announced Monday that Twin Oaks would be merging with Ottawa Savings.

If you have an account or loan at Twin Oaks you will become a client of Ottawa Savings.

Ottawa Savings President and Chief Executive Officer Jon Kranov says the merger should benefit their shareholders and customers. Kranov will remain the President and CEO. Twin Oaks President Craig Hepner will become the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

The merger should be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. The Twin Oaks banks in Marseilles will become Ottawa Savings bank branches.

Trial reenactments, music and fireworks planned in Hennepin

Independence Day in Hennepin is more than a party with fireworks – it’s a step back in time. The village is celebrating the 175^th Anniversary of the Putnam County Courthouse along with their traditional July Fourth activities.

Village Board member Quentin Buffington thinks everyone will enjoy reenactments of a trial in which Abraham Lincoln was an attorney.  The reenactments are at 1:30pm and 2:30pm Friday at the Putnam County Courthouse. Local actor John Redshaw will be playing the part of Lincoln. 

The courthouse will be the backdrop for The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra when they perform at 6pm.  They’ll be followed by the Craigs. In between concerts there will be a golf cart parade featuring decorated golf carts. You’ll also find food booths and a beer garden. The fireworks start at 9:30pm on the riverfront.

Learn more by listening to an interview that’s available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Streator Police warn of phoney newspaper ad

You can only be at one place at a time which is why Streator Police are calling a newspaper classified ad a scam.

The police department says its received several complaints of a scam that was ran as an ad in the Times Newspaper. The ad is for a caregiver who would be available to start July 8th. People who responded say that someone calling themselves “Jerry Cole” responded and wanted to meet them at different locations in Streator at the same time on Monday.

Streator Police are saying if you did respond to the ad, don’t meet this person.

St. Mary’s shuts down maternity unit earlier than first planned

There won’t be any July 4th babies born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator.

The hospital’s maternity ward is closed as of Thursday. Initially the hospital had said their maternity unit wouldn’t close until later this month.

St. Mary’s CEO John Flanders says the closure is based on limited access to doctors who deliver babies in and around Streator. Flanders says they’re directing expectant moms to other area hospitals including St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Troopers gearing up for busy holiday weekend

If you’re hitting the road for the holiday weekend, have a good time without breaking the law.

State Police in La Salle say they will have extra patrols in areas that in the past have had DUI crashes. They’re also planning road side safety checks throughout the Illinois Valley looking for drunk drivers and anyone not wearing a seatbelt.

According to IDOT, the average DUI arrest costs $16,000 when you factor in fines, fees, insurance, work loss and legal fees.

Debris still being cleared at Starved Rock State Park

Cleanup continues at Starved Rock State Park after damage from Monday night’s storms.

Crews Thursday will be cleaning up debris at Starved Rock Lodge and on various trails. All interior trails and parking lots from the park to Route 71 are closed. Trails are open on the east end of the park.

Starved Rock Lodge and the visitor’s center are both open but the boat ramp and main parking lot along the Illinois River remain closed.

Trails at Buffalo Rock and Matthiessen State Park’s are all open.

Accused double murderer still on the run

The manhunt continues for a Rockford man wanted for two murders, one of which happened just outside Paw Paw. A nationwide search is underway for 36-year-old Terence Doddy. Rockford Police believe Doddy killed 37-year-old Todd Hansmeier of Rockford early Monday morning and stole his car.  Hansmeier’s car was found Tuesday night at the Interstate 39 rest stop near Paw Paw.

That is where police believe Doddy attacked and killed 44-year-old Tonya Bargman of Monticello. Surveillance video then showed Doddy leaving the rest area in Bargman’s 2013 Nissan Altima. Troopers think he headed back north from the rest area. Doddy is considered dangerous and shouldn’t be approached. If you have information about the murders, contact 911.