Walnut boy accidentally shot

Walnut police say a young boy is getting treatment at a hospital after he was accidentally shot in the leg Saturday morning. Walnut police chief Tom Ptasnik said his officers and the Bureau County K-9 unit responded at 11:10am to a Walnut home. The injury is not life threatening. Ptasnik’s release did not mention the boys age, name or address.

Larose man dies after becoming trapped in a grain bin

Once you fall into a grain bin, it’s hard to get out. A 71-year-old man died after becoming trapped in a grain bin near Lacon.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call around 2:30pm Friday. Firefighters from Lacon, Sparland and surrounding fire departments spent about 45 minutes cutting holes in the side of the bin before they could reach William “Lee” Vogel of Larose. Vogel was pronounced dead by the Life Flight team that had landed at the property.

Investigators say Vogel had had worked with the property owner on and off through the years.

Streator Robbery suspect being sought

A blue eyed man in a camo coat. That’s how Streator police describe a man who robbed Streator Community Credit Union at 302 North Park Saturday morning. In their release, Streator police said an employee reported the robbery about 9am and said the suspect fled on foot. A search of the area by police found nothing.  Police said the crook’s face was concealed except for his eyes when he approached a teller demanding money. No weapon was mentioned or displayed, however, the employee handed over an unknown amount of money.

If you have any information regarding the incident, you’re asked to call Streator Police. The Sheriff’s office and the FBI have joined the investigation.

Career building workshops offered at IVCC

You don’t have to become a full-time college student to build career skills. Illinois Valley Community College is offering free career development workshops this semester.

The workshops will be every Wednesday from 12:15-12:45pm in the Community Technology Center in Oglesby. The workshop will also meet once a month at the Ottawa Center campus.

You can even bring your lunch to the workshops. Registration is encouraged, but is not required.

Bald eagles take the spot light at Starved Rock State Park this weekend

Get your binoculars and head to Starved Rock State Park to learn about bald eagles and other raptors. The 18th Annual Bald Eagle Watch Weekend is Saturday and Sunday at the Illinois Waterway Visitors Center, Starved Rock Lodge and Starved Rock State Park.

Park officials say you may not spot as many eagles this year because it’s not as cold, but you could see a few.

You can also learn more about large birds during the raptor and birds of prey demonstrations. The programs run from around 10am until 5pm both days.

For more information on the Bald Eagle Watch Weekend click a link posted on the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

Numbers of Illinois households on food stamps still rising

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – State figures show the number of Illinois households on food stamps continues to rise.

The Illinois Department of Human Service says there were 1.07 million households enrolled last month in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. That’s up 20,000 from the previous month and is the highest level since at least 2010.

The department says the total number of Illinoisans on food stamps jumped by 37,500 in December, to 2.08 million. That’s the highest since 2.15 million people statewide were participating in the program in June 2013.

Some 60,000 Illinoisans were added to food-stamp rolls last year.