Peru man dies after single-car crash

A one-car crash in rural La Salle County killed a man from Peru. Investigators say 47-year-old Thomas Bergen was heading west on North 33^rd Road around 6:42am Wednesday when he went off the road and rolled several times.

Bergen was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash is being investigated by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Department and Coroner’s Office.

Man accused in Putnam County burglary arrested in Ottawa

A search of an apartment in Ottawa turned up items investigators say were stolen in Putnam County. Richard Young was arrested Tuesday evening after officers from the La Salle County Sheriff’s Department, Ottawa Police Department and Putnam County Sheriff’s Office searched his place on Route 6.

Young was arrested for felony theft and was being held in the La Salle County Jail with his bond set at $100,000.

La Salle County Sheriff Tom Templeton says Young is suspected in several burglaries that happened in La Salle County too.

Comedy mocking North Korea to be shown in Ottawa

After some flip-flopping by Sony Entertainment, a movie that upset North Korea will be shown in theaters Christmas Day. “The Interview” is a comedy about the CIA trying to have the leader of North Korea killed.

You won’t have to drive to a big city to watch it. The Roxy Cinemas in Ottawa will have showings throughout the day.

Area unemployment rates continue to decline

Fewer people are relying on unemployment in the Illinois Valley when compared to last year.

La Salle County unemployment was 7.9 percent last month, a nearly three-percent improvement from November 2013. Bureau County’s November unemployment rate was 7.2 percent, a two percent decline from the same time last year.

Putnam County unemployment in November was 7.1 percent, a three-percent improvement from the same time last year.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the Ottawa-Streator Area unemployment rate improved from 10.6 percent in November 2013 to 7.7 percent this November. Jobs were gained in transportation-warehousing and professional-business services.

Small fire in Tonica caught in time

A household in Tonica can add a new couch to their Christmas shopping list. Firefighters Tuesday were called to a home on Elm Street for a couch fire.

The people had it out before the firefighters arrived. It appears that the fire started in a waste basket next to the couch. The couch and a small area of the floor were damaged.

Rain and snow predicted for Christmas Eve

Traveling to visit your family could take longer this Christmas Eve, especially if you’re heading east or towards Chicago. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 12pm until 9pm Wednesday for the Chicago area and counties east of La Salle.

La Salle County had been included but was removed after the forecast changed overnight.  Rain and a little snow remains in La Salle County’s forecast.