Area fire departments getting grant money for new equipment

When you’re a small fire department, any financial assistance helps.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is giving grant money to Utica, DePue and Amboy Fire Departments. Utica is getting $10,000 towards a pump and water tank, a trailer and a utility terrain vehicle. DePue is getting a $7,000 grant to buy a UTV, trash pump and hoses. Amboy’s fire department is getting a $10,000 grant for lighting, gloves and gear.

The fire departments have to match the grant amount from the state.

Two men in Ottawa facing several felony weapons and drug charges

Drugs and guns were allegedly found during raids overnight at two homes in Ottawa.

Officers first went to a home on East Superior Street Friday evening and arrested Anthony Brito of Ottawa for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Also arrested at the home was Jason Mantzke of Camden for possession of a stolen motor vehicle and aggravated possession of a firearm.

Investigators then checked out a home just after midnight Saturday on Pickwick Street in Ottawa and say they found another gun and more ammunition. A charge of possession of a weapon by a felon was tacked onto Brito’s arrest sheet.

Both Brito and Mantzke were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Home sales continue trending up in the Illinois Valley

Have you bought a house lately? Housing sales are up for the year in the Illinois Valley.

According to the Illinois Association of Realtors, 985 homes have been sold through October in La Salle County. That’s a four percent increase from last year.

Home sales are up nine percent in Bureau County for the year with 264 closed sales. In Putnam County, home sales are up nine percent with 50 homes closed on so far this year.

When it comes to prices, the median average of a sold home this year in La Salle County is $89,000. The median sale price in Bureau County is $77,000 and $118,000 in Putnam County.

Several overnight crashes blamed on slippery roads

A night of freezing rain wreaked havoc on area roads.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office responded to a three-vehicle crash just north of Route 52 near Sheridan. Earlville first responders were called out around seven Saturday morning to a car that rolled several times on a county road. At least one woman was hurt in that crash.

Soon after the Earlville crash, Mendota first responders were called out to a crash east of town.