Convicted murderer being sought after by Streator Police

A man who did time for murder is wanted by Streator Police.

The Streator PD sent out a statement saying 69-year-old Richard Hellerman failed to register with police once he was let out of prison last month for murder. He’s wanted now on a warrant for failing to register as a violent offender.
Investigators say Hellerman is white, six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair.

His whereabouts are unknown to police. If you have information call the Streator Police Department.

Regional dispatch center planned for La Salle, Peru and Oglesby

La Salle, Peru and Oglesby are separate towns but they’ll soon share a 911 dispatch center.

The state is giving $1.5 million to build a regional dispatch center that will take calls for police, fire and ambulance for Peru, La Salle and Oglesby in one building. The center will be in Oglesby but city officials aren’t saying exactly where just yet.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei said “this is big”, promising substantial savings with the consolidated dispatch center. He hopes any potential telecommunicator job losses would be through attrition.

Oglesby Mayor Don Finley hinted this could just be the start of the cities working together and sharing costs and services. La Salle Mayor Jeff Grove echoed those thoughts.

Governor Pat Quinn was planning to attend Friday’s announcement but was unable to fly in due to the fog.

Streator Republican trying to unseat Democrat Mautino

Repairing Illinois’ economy is a priority for both of your choices for state representative. Though, the candidates don’t agree on how that should be achieved.

Democrat Frank Mautino has been the 76th District state representative since 1991. He says the most important job for the General Assembly  is to continue to stabilizing the economy. Mautino says the General Assembly’s second priority is getting final resolution to the pension issue.

Jerry Long of Streator is challenging Mautino. Long says the first job for lawmakers should be restoring the state’s credit rating. He thinks to do that, they will need to cut waste and fraud.

The 76th District includes La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties. Learn more about the candidates by listening to interviews available at the Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO News Page.

Scarecrow Days in Princeton will include a helicopter candy drop

Ottawa isn’t the only town in the Illinois Valley who loves scarecrows.

Scarecrow Days in Princeton includes activities in and around downtown on Saturday. Main Street will be lined with decorated scarecrows and businesses will offer up deals. There’s a costume contest and parade in Soldiers and Sailors Park along with pumpkin races.

Later in the afternoon there will be kids games and a candy helicopter drop and fireworks at Hundred Acres Orchard.