Fire destroys a shed oustide of Ladd

A car and a couple of lawn tractors are a few of the things destroyed in a metal shed fire along Plank Road. The Ladd Fire Department was called to the blaze shortly after 7am Wednesday and arrived to find the building consumed by flames. Ladd Fire Chief B.J. Liebe says the roof collapsed soon after they arrived so they were left fighting the fire from the outside. Several area departments assisted. It’s unclear what started the fire. The building’s owner had already left home before the fire was reported.

Class X felony charge for Mendota man accused of having cocaine

A lengthy investigation in Mendota has left a man facing a Class X Felony drug charge. Humberto Samano of Mendota is accused of having 165 grams of cocaine.

Officers with TRIDENT searched his home Monday. Samano was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine. He’s being held in the La Salle County Jail with his bond set at $2 million.

Oglesby newcomers exlpain their reasons for mayoral runs

The April election presents options for voters in Oglesby. Voters can chose from incumbent Mayor Don Finley and challengers David Blair and Tod Misener.

Blair says lowering Oglesby’s high property taxes is his top priority. Being so close to Starved Rock State Park, he thinks the city can do a better job of attracting tourists and increasing sales tax revenue.  Blair has never held a political office and considers himself to be the underdog.

Tod Misener is running out of his concern of taxes. He was upset with the city council for increasing property taxes after voters approved a sales tax increase.  Misener says the mayor and council are failing in most areas.

Misener is on the Oglesby Ambulance Board.

Learn more about the candidates by listening to interviews available at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

Swimming pool issues leading to the possibility of a rec center in Ottawa

Plans are moving ahead to possibly build a recreation center in Ottawa.

The Ottawa City Council is committing up to $15,000 towards a feasibility study to see if makes sense to build a community rec center. Ottawa High School and the Ottawa YMCA have pledged to pay for the rest of the study which could cost up to $45,000.

A rec center is being brought up because the swimming pool at Ottawa High School is closed due to structural issues. The pool is over a hundred years old and school officials think it could cost over a million dollars to fix it.

Popular restaurant in La Salle closing later this year

A longtime dining staple in the Illinois Valley is closing.

Monari’s 101 in La Salle announced on their Facebook page that they will be closed as of April 1st. The restaurant is in its 51st year of operation but the Monari’s are planning to retire.

If you have a gift card to Monari’s, you should use it by March 31st. The building along 1st Street is for sale.

Rep. Kinzinger says Obama ignored that there is a divided government in State of the union address

The State of the Union speech put hundreds of Democrats and Republicans in one room, but it didn’t put them in agreeance.  The man in Congress who represents La Salle County much of northern Illinois says that you heard nothing new from President Barack Obama Tuesday night.

Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger says Obama ignored that there is a divided government and continued to push for spending money on big government.