Cellphone theft reported at La Salle County Republican headquarters

A theft at the La Salle County Republican Headquarters office has a woman from Naplate facing a felony charge.  Traci Turnquist was arrested Thursday by Ottawa Police officers for felony theft.

Police say the investigation began Tuesday when a woman reported that her cellphone was missing from the office on Columbus Street.  Turnquist was taken to the La Salle County Jail with her bond set at $10,000.

Wind company is requesting permits for the Walnut area wind farm

Plans to build 150 turbines in a wind farm in Bureau County are apparently moving along. Geronimo Wind Energy, LLC announced Thursday that they have applied for more conditional use permits for the Walnut Ridge Wind Farm.

Walnut Ridge has been under development for several years. The wind farm had already asked for and received conditional use permits for approximately 150 turbines, but had to ask for new permits after the zoning rules changed.  The company says they’ll be able to use newer technology than with the old permits.

The Bureau County Board first considered the permits in 2008.

Bureau County Sheriff candidates make their cases before the election

When you call for the police in Bureau County, there’s a good chance a Bureau County Sheriff’s deputy will arrive. Longtime Sheriff John Thompson is soon retiring and you’ll be choosing his successor next Tuesday.

One choice is Democrat Jim Reed, who is currently a sergeant with the department. Reed says it’s his 24 years with the department that puts him in a position to make a great sheriff.

Your other option is retired Princeton Police Deputy Chief Allan Beaber. Beaber says he has the administrative experience necessary to be a sheriff.  Beaber, a republican, was with the Princeton Police Department for 36 years, spending the last 13 years as the deputy chief.

Both Beaber and Reed say it would be important for the sheriff to strengthen the relationships the sheriff’s department has with the police departments in the county.

Learn more by listening to interviews available at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO News Page.

County clerk extending hours for early voters

No matter how busy your schedule is, there’s plenty of time to vote in the upcoming election.

The La Salle County Clerk’s office is staying open until 6:30 Thursday night for early voting. They’ll be open Friday from 8 until 4:30, Saturday from 8 until noon and Sunday 1 until 4. Thursday is also the last day you can apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to you.

Absentee voting in person is open through Monday at the clerk’s office.

Comcast business office closing in Peru

If you drop your monthly bill off at the Comcast office in Peru, you need to start making other arrangements.

The office on Marquette Road is closing Thursday. Four employees are losing their jobs but over a dozen technicians will still work out of Peru. Mayors in the Illinois Valley petitioned for the office to stay open but to no avail.

Besides over the phone, online or a check in the mail, you can also pay your Comcast bill at Hy-Vee, Walmart and Check Into Cash.

Investigation ends into a double murder with La Salle County ties

A man who committed suicide before La Salle County deputies could arrest him has officially been blamed in a double murder.

Dwight Police Chief Tim Henson says Joseph Sipple of Morris murdered Donna Denker and her daughter Kelli at their home in Dwight in mid-June. He considers the Denker investigation over.

Two weeks after the Denkers were found, Sipple shot and killed himself near Sheridan as deputies were trying to arrest him for stolen property. Investigators say he stole a gun that he used to kill the Denkers and himself.

Dwight’s police chief says test results last week showed DNA from the Denkers was on Sipple’s shoes.

Peru church helping less fortunate children worldwide

A church in Peru is opening its doors to try and help children in need across the globe.

Grace Bible Fellowship is a collection site for “Operation Christmas Child”. It’s a charity that asks for your help in filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and notes of encouragement. The worldwide goal for “Operation Christmas Child” is to help ten million children.

You can drop donations off at Grace Bible Fellowship in Peru between November 17th and the 24th. The charity has set up a way for you to track what country eventually receives your shoebox donation.