Oglesby man arrested after an infant was injured

Injuries to a two-month-old baby has its father facing a charge of domestic battery. Jacob Sprostan of Oglesby was arrested Tuesday night.

Oglesby Police Chief Jim Knoblauch says they were made aware of the baby’s injuries after the child was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley and the police were notified. The child was flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Its condition was not available.

Sprostan is being held in the La Salle County Jail.  Knoblauch says the charge could be upgraded by the La Salle County States Attorney’s office.

Truck driver ticketed after crash near Princeton

One crash led to another crash near Princeton. Illinois State Police Troopers say a semi-trailer tipped over after a semi rear-ended another trailer around 5:30am Wednesday on Interstate 80.

The crash involved three trucks.   No one was hurt but one of the drivers, David Blacher of Bedford Park, was ticketed for following too closely and not slowing down to avoid a crash.

“The Rainmaker” brings comedy and love to Stage 212

If you have ever tried to be a matchmaker for your son or daughter, you’ll enjoy a comedy that opens this week in La Salle.

“The Rainmaker” is about a family that’s dealing with a drought and a single daughter. Ellen Marincic is the director.  The daughter is played by with Zoe Clover, the father is played by Andy Decker. DJ Haun and Ryan Ziegler play the brothers.

Performances are this weekend and the following at Stage 212. Tickets are $15.  Learn more about the play and the cast by listening to an interview that’s up at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

Voter turnout solid across the Illinois Valley

Over half of registered voters in the Illinois Valley voted this time around.

Voter turnouts in Bureau and La Salle County’s were 53%. Putnam County had a voter turnout of 62%.

Many of you took advantage of absentee or early voting. La Salle County had nearly four thousand early or absentee votes. Bureau County had over a thousand early and or absentee votes while Putnam County had just over 300.

Kinzinger wins another term in Congress

As expected, Republican Adam Kinzinger will be going back to Washington D.C. for at least another two years.

With a majority of the precincts counted, Kinzinger has 70% of the vote in the 16th District Congressional race against Democrat challenger Randall Olsen of Ottawa. Kinzinger says its humbling to win by the margin he did.

Olsen was a relative unknown in the race. He’s a former nuclear cardiology technologist.

Spelich wins La Salle County Treasurer’s race

There’s going to be a new name in La Salle County government. Republican Jim Spelich received 58 percent of the vote yesterday to defeat Democrat Jared Hicks in the race for county treasurer.

Spelich will take over for the retiring Don Lamps, whose guidance he plans to use.  He plans to first meet with his staff to see what works and what needs to be improved.

Hear an interview with Spelich at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

 

Mautino carries narrow lead over Long

Trailing by about 350 votes, Republican Jerry Long isn’t ready to give up his effort to unseat Democrat State Representative Frank Mautino.

There are grace period voting and absentee ballots that still need to be counted.  Long believes each ballot counts and says

a race this close is not something you can easily give up on.

Mautino isn’t calling himself the winner but says he feels good about the numbers.

The 76th District includes La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties along with two precincts in Livingston County.  Hear more reactions from the candidates by listening to interviews available at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO News Page.

Reed wins Bureau County Sheriff’s race

A man who is familiar with the Bureau County Sheriff’s Department will be the next sheriff. Jim Reed, who is currently a sergeant with the sheriff’s department, beat retired Princeton Police Deputy Chief Allan Beaber in the race for sheriff.

Reed will take over for the retiring Sheriff John Thompson. Reed is from Arlington and has been with the sheriff’s department for 24 years.

La Salle County Sheriff Tom Templeton will keep his job after easily defeating Rodney Hampton.

Republicans pick up two seats on the La Salle County Board

You might be getting new representation on the La Salle County Board. Voters in several county board districts put their support behind the challenger.

Most notably was in District 22, County Board President Jerry Hicks, a democrat, was beaten by Republican Ernest Mike Weiss. Weiss received 54% of the vote.

In District 14, Republican Tina Busch beat Democrat incumbent, Joe Panzica with 51% of the vote.

In District 20, Democrat newcomer Thomas Thrush beat Republican Arratta Znaniecki with 52% of the vote.

In District28, Republican Norman Sedlock beat Democrat Bob Jakupcak with 51% of the vote.