Donation box stolen from Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall

The Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall along the Illinois River in Marseilles attracts thousands of visitors who want to pay their respects to military personnel killed overseas.  One visitor apparently felt like taking instead of giving back. 

A cash box for donations was stolen from the memorial last Thursday or Friday according to Marseilles City Commissioner Jim Buckingham.  The box was later found under the bridge a few feet from the water but the money was gone.

If you know anything about the theft call the Marseilles Police Department. If you took the money, Buckingham says you can remain anonymous and leave the money in an envelope it in the city hall drop box.

Investigators are looking at the donation box for fingerprints and also checking nearby security cameras.

A classic thriller opens Sunday at Engle Lane Theater

After a summer theater season of musicals, sit back and enjoy a play rich in character and dialogue. The thriller Dial M for Murder opens Sunday at Engle Lane Theater in Streator.

Larry Kelsey is the director. It’s actually his second time directing the play because he loves it that much.  He enjoys the dialogue especially when it is performed well.  He thinks his cast will do it justice.

The cast includes Greg Tullis as the husband that’s plotting his wife’s murder and Karen Lessman as the wife. You’ll also see performances by Ken Schroeder and Bill Gillespie.

You can get tickets for 15 dollars a piece through the Engle Lane box office. Performances run Sunday through next Saturday. 

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

Sandwich Fair back for another year

The 127th edition of the Sandwich Fair rolls along in its second day.  Grandstand events Thursday include harness racing and truck pulls. Its free to watch the horses but tickets for truck pulls range from $5 to $20.

The Sandwich Fair’s main attraction is Friday night with country crooner Easton Corbin. Corbin has two number one hits on his resume and was Billboard’s top new country artist in 2010.  Tickets to see Corbin start as low as $15.

Hospital in Peru getting ready for flu season

Ready or not, it’s almost flu season.  Illinois Valley Community Hospital is hosting the first of five flu clinics Tuesday, September 16 from 3-6pm at the Illinois Valley Y in Peru. They’ll host a flu shot clinic a week through October.
Flu shots are $30. You can also get a Pneumonia shot for $85.  Medicare is accepted at the clinics.

Five men arrested in Seneca drug sting

A drug bust in Seneca had five men arrested.  Seneca Police along with La Salle’s drug dog Friday paid a visit to the home of Curtis Close Jr. and Blake Lowman of Seneca. They were arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. Also arrested for paraphernalia was Nicholas Martinez of Ottawa and Jacob Didriekson of Utica. They were released with court dates.

Landon Dippel of Utica was arrested for the more serious charge of unlawful manufacture of a look-alike substance and was taken to the La Salle County Jail.