Evening crashes blamed on icy roads

Icy roads have sent a number of cars into ditches or into other cars. Starting just after 4pm Monday Peru Police and Fire Departments began receiving calls.  In one crash, a utility pole was damaged.

It was not long after that they were called to a crash on Shooting Park Road near Parkside School.  It would be one of several accidents on that stretch of Shooting Park Road.

Accidents were not limited to Peru. There was a report of an overturned car on the exit ramp to Route 351 from westbound Interstate 80.

Driver taken to a local hospital following I-39 semi crash

A driver was injured after two semis crashed on Interstate 39,  It happened just after 10:30am Monday north of Mendota.

State Police say Eva Davis of Glasford was heading south on when her truck and trailer went through the median and into the northbound lanes, hitting an oncoming semi.

Both trucks and their trailers ended up in the ditch. Davis wasn’t hurt but was ticketed for improper lane usage.  A 61-year-old St. Louis woman driving the other truck was taken to a local hospital. Her name and condition were not been made available.  The crash was being investigated by the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstructionists.

Congressman Kinzinger says the U.S. needs a better approach for fighting ISIS

Keeping a job in Washington, DC isn’t easy, even if you’re the Secretary of Defense. Chuck Hagel announced Monday that he’s stepping down.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger, a Republican, is happy with move. Kinzinger says ISIS remains an existential threat to U.S. security, and the country needs a more robust and determined approach to drive the terrorist forces from their strongholds.

Republicans who take control of the Senate next month have also been extremely critical of President Barack Obama’s foreign policy.

Hagel will stay on until his replacement is in place.

Teens arresed for possession of stolen property in Ottawa

Police had tickets for three teens they stopped over the weekend in Ottawa. 18-year-old Kaleb Miller of Rushville and a 15-year-old boy from Ottawa were arrested for possession of stolen property Saturday on West Jefferson Street.

The 15-year-old was also arrested for burglary and curfew. A second 15-year-old boy was ticketed for curfew. The younger boys were released with juvenile referrals while Miller was given a notice to appear.

La Salle County inmate dies after being found hanging in his cell

A man  in the La Salle County Jail for drugs was found hanging in his cell.

38-year-old Jason Watson of Streator tried hanging himself with a bed sheet November 16 according to La Salle County Sheriff Tom Templeton. Watson was found alive and was rushed to St. Elizabeth Medical Center before being flown to Peoria. He was pronounced dead at St. Francis Medical Center three days later.

Templeton says an investigation was done and all the proper procedures were followed by jail staff.

Watson was arrested November 5 for allegedly dealing heroin while living at the Streator Housing Authority complex.

Police and firefighters busy responding to weather-related crashes

It didn’t take long for the snow to cause crashes.  Just after 8:30am Monday, Putnam County paramedics and Magnolia firefighters were called to a rollover on Route 89 north of Route 18. At least one person was checked out.

A few minutes after that, Walnut paramedics were called to a two-vehicle, crash on Route 40 near the Bureau and Whiteside County line. At least two ambulances were called.

There was also a rollover without injuries near Sheffield among other minor crashes across the Illinois Valley.

Fill the Mayflower helps restock food pantry shelves

The Illinois Valley has come through once again in helping the less fortunate.

Well over five thousand pounds of food was collected at Saturday’s “Fill the Mayflower” at the Peru Hy-Vee. You helped fill a Mayflower truck with 366 bags of groceries. Shoppers also donated a couple turkeys and nearly $200 in cash.

Everything collected benefits the Illinois Valley Food Pantry in La Salle. The food will help restock the pantry’s shelves for their Christmas meal distribution.

Park in La Salle offers a drive-thru Christmas light display

It might be too cold to let your kids play at La Salle Rotary Park but you can still drive them out there to see the Christmas lights. About 45 lighted scenes will be set up throughout the park.

The displays include a nativity scene, a race car, a musical theme and more. Each is sponsored by a local business. The displays can be enjoyed from your car.

The displays will be lit during a ceremony at 6:30 Friday.

Accumulating snow possible in the Illinois Valley

Snow is expected to help usher in the new but shortened work week.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the western part of the Illinois Valley including Bureau and Putnam Counties. Rain will eventually change to snow with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation possible.

Roads could become slick and gusty winds Monday night could cause blowing and drifting snow.

Ottawa and Streator both planning holiday lighted parades

This is your lucky weekend if you’re a fan of lighted holiday parades.

Ottawa’s annual Festival of Lights Parade is Friday night starting at 6. After the parade, Santa will help city officials light up Washington Square.

On Saturday it’ll be time to “Light up Streator”. During the day Saturday there will be a holiday market with over 50 vendors. Once the sun goes down there will be a lighted parade and lighting of City Park. Many Streator businesses will get in on the holiday fun by offering deals until midnight Saturday.