Officers safely removed distraught man from bridge

Quick action by La Salle County Sheriff’s deputies and La Salle Police officers may have saved a man’s life.   Officers were called to the Shippingsport Bridge over the Illinois River Monday night for a man that was threatening to jump.

The man had one leg over a railing when officers were able to grab him as another officer was talking to him.  The man was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital to be evaluated.

Crews called to a transformer fire outside of Hennepin

A transformer fire sent black smoke into the sky over Putnam County. A transformer along side the Dynegy Power Plant near Hennepin started on fire around 10:45am Tuesday.

Hennepin Fire Chief Darryl Petersen says the fire was mostly oil burning. Granville, Standard and Magnalia Fire Departments and PC EMS also responded.  They had it under control in 20 minutes. There was damage to the transformer and surrounding equipment but the building was okay.

Woman pronounced dead after Streator home explosion

After a day of sifting through what was left of a house on Court Street in Streator, investigators are still trying to pinpoint what caused an explosion. The house burst into flames around 10:30pm Monday causing a fire that spread to neighboring homes.

A man living with his elderly mother was able to escape but his mother was not. Ethel Davison was pronounced dead after her body was found Tuesday.  An autopsy is pending.

The Streator Police Department, La Salle County Coroner’s office and the State Fire Marshall’s office are investigating.

New school year brings shiny new gym floor in La Salle

Basketball isn’t exactly in season right now but there’s plenty of excitement at Trinity Catholic Academy in La Salle for a new gym floor.

A fundraising drive began in the fall and the school has reached its $30,000 goal. The new floor and sound system were installed over Labor Day weekend.

School officials say they still could use donations for things like new backboards and putting the school name in the center of the new gym floor.

Application process begins for medical marijuana patients

Do you think you could be a medical marijuana patient? You can start the application process now.

The state is accepting applications from patients whose last names start with letters A through L. Patients whose last names begin with M through Z will have to wait until November 1st to submit applications.

You need to be at least 18 and have a signed prescription from your doctor. Symptoms that fall under medical marijuana use include: cancer; HIV; ALS and Multiple Sclerosis.