Lengthy investigation leads to misdemeanor drug charges

A long investigation into drugs in Princeton left two men arrested but only for minor marijuana related charges.

Timothy Sours of Princeton and Daniel Kuhnert of Dover were pulled over Thursday in Princeton by a Bureau County Sheriff’s Deputy. Police say Sours had marijuana in the car and Kuhnert had marijuana in his home. Both were given notices to appear.

The area drug fighting team, TRIDENT, was involved in the investigation.

Infamous drug dealer gets arrested in Streator after an alleged fight

One of the leaders of the infamous “Da Hittaz” drug gang in La Salle County is in trouble again.

On Wednesday morning Streator Police got a call about a fight. They arrested Clarence Merritte of Chicago for battery and criminal damage to property.

Merritte was paroled from prison in February after serving over five years for the class X felony of criminal drug conspiracy. He was among a group called “Da Hittaz” that were arrested and sentenced in 2008 for running a drug ring between Chicago and the Illinois Valley.

The leader of the group is Clarence Merritte’s brother Calvin. He’s expected to be let out of prison in 2018.

Illinois Valley gas prices continue trending down

Driving anywhere for the weekend? The lowest gas in the Illinois Valley is in La Salle and Peru.

You can get unleaded in La Salle and Peru from between $2.51 to $2.57 a gallon. Stations in Oglesby are selling gas for $2.55 a gallon while the going rate at most places in Princeton, Ottawa, Spring Valley and Utica is $2.59 a gallon. Mendota and Streator is at the higher end with gas going for between $2.69 to $2.74 a gallon.

The statewide average is $2.77 a gallon, down eleven cents from a week ago.

Spring Valley gearing up for lighted holiday parade

After the sun sets in Spring Valley, Santa’s Workshop will come alive with lights.

You can bundle up your family for the annual lighted Santa Parade Saturday. The parade leaves from Hall High School at 6pm and will follow St. Paul Street to City Hall.

Earlier in the day, you’ll be able to choose from a variety of cookies and candies at the Spring Valley United Church of Christ Cookie Walk. It runs from 7:30am until 12pm on East Erie Street.

A day of “holiday magic” planned in Marseilles

Santa and Mrs. Claus are planning to drop by Marseilles Saturday.

The city’s 4th annual “Holiday Magic in Marseilles” event runs from 10am until 2pm. A holiday parade will start at 10:30am near the elementary school and make its way to the labor hall on Main Street. There’s no entry fee if you want to be in the parade.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will then host a meet and greet in the labor hall from 11am until 1pm. There will be kids activities, crafts, cookie decorating and food and beverages.