Police release “crackdown” numbers

From December 19th to January 4, Peru police stepped up patrols on area roads. They were looking for intoxicated drivers as part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over holiday crackdown. Deputy Chief Bob Pyszka said during that time, officers made 4 DUI arrests and handed out 7 seat belt citations. The enforcement was funded federally through IDOT.

Houston burglar fails big time

Authorities say a man’s plans to break into a Houston store fell through, after he crashed through the ceiling and landed in front of police.  Houston police say the man climbed a tree and onto the roof of a Family Dollar store early Sunday morning, then managed to break a hole in the roof and enter the building.
But after making his way into the store, the man fell through the ceiling just as a police officer arrived in response to a call about a potential burglary.  KHOU-TV reports that the officer ordered the unidentified man to stay on the floor. The man was later arrested. Authorities believe the man was trying to steal cigarettes.

Helicopter crash takes Marines’ lives

The Marines Corps has identified 2 pilots killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Southern California.
The Marines said Sunday that Capt. Elizabeth Kealey and 1st Lt. Adam Satterfield died from their injuries in the crash Friday at the 29 Palms Marine base. The pilots were the only 2 people onboard the UH-1Y Huey helicopter.
Lt. Col. James M. Isaacs, commanding officer of their squadron, says both were outstanding officers and talented pilots.
Kealey, 32, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, was commissioned in 2005 and had earned several awards and medals. She was deployed once in Afghanistan. Satterfield, 25, of Oldham, Kentucky, was commissioned in 2011 and supported training operations in Southern California.  Both pilots were based at Camp Pendleton.

Newspaper counts licenses given to illegals

More than 85,000 immigrants living in the U.S. illegally now have Illinois driver’s licenses under a new state program. The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises reports the tally comes after the first full year that the program has been in place in Illinois. The $30 licenses are valid for three years and may be used only for driving.

Suspect sought in Credit Union robbery

Streator police are asking for the public’s help in tracking a blue eyed man in a camo coat. The unidentified man is alleged to have robbed the Streator Community Credit Union at 302 North Park around 9am Saturday. Streator police are saying an employee called shortly after 9 to report the robbery and said the suspect fled on foot. Police searched the area but found nothing.

The press release said the crook was clever enough to cover his face – except his eyes – when he demanded money from the teller. No weapon was displayed or mentioned, however, the teller handed over an undetermined amount of money.

If you have information on this robbery, call Streator Police. The Sheriff’s office and the FBI are investigating the crime, too.

35th Illinois Valley Bridal Show Sunday

There are many steps to an official wedding day…but, if you’re a bride-to-be, you can take several of them Sunday at our 35th annual Illinois Valley Bridal show. Doors open at 11 at the Peter Miller Technology Center at IVCC.
A Style show unfolds at 2pm. Several nice prizes will be awarded including $500 to a pre-registered bride to spend on a “Bridal Elegance” gown. Another bride will win $500 to spend at any of 55 sponsors at the show. Any anyone can sign up to win one of 6 sets of weddings bands from J-V-L Jewelry.

You can register at the door if you haven’t already. The Bridal show is sponsored by stations “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO”, 99-3 WAJK and 96-5 The Wolf.

Rain and snow mix expected Sunday

It appears the most snow the Illinois Valley will see Sunday is about 2 inches – and that’s south of I-80, according to the National Weather Service. A mix of rain and snow is spreading over the area from northwest to southeast. NWS says moderate snow may develop by late Sunday morning around Streator and on east. North of I-80, according to the
Weather Service will see about 1 inch of snow.