Utica looking for landscaper to spruce up tornado memorial

The memorial that remembers eight people killed in the Utica tornado needs some tender loving care.

According to the NewsTribune, the village is looking for a landscaping company to spruce up the tornado memorial along with entrance signs. Because of winter weather, the village got only a few initial bids.

Landscaping bids will now be accepted through March 24th.

Ottawa man facing sex abuse and child porn charges

Already facing a sex abuse charge, a man from Ottawa now is charged with child porn.

Daniel Mondy was indicted Tuesday on three counts of child porn. He’s accused of having sex videos of an underage child. Mondy was already charged with having sex with the underage victim.

He’s posted bond and is out of custody.

La Salle and Utica ready to go green for St. Patrick’s Day

If you time it right, you can take in two St. Patrick’s Day parades this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in La Salle starts at 1 at Bucklin and 2nd Street and will wind through downtown. Downtown restaurants in La Salle will have Irish-themed specials. Then at 5 Saturday, Utica’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will go through the village’s downtown.

Rob Edwards will broadcast from the La Salle parade on WAJK and from the Utica parade on 96.5 the Wolf.

Volunteers needed for annual spring cleanup in Peru

Do you take pride in your community? One way to show it is to keep your city clean.

The third annual Spring Litter Clean Up in Peru is this Saturday. Alderman Rodney Perez says volunteers are needed to help clean along downtown and connecting side streets. Gloves, bags, vests, and litter pick up sticks will be provided.

Clean up starts at 9 Saturday morning at the Peru Municipal Building.

Flood Warning issued for rising Illinois River

There’s a downside to all this snow melting. It’s making area rivers rise.

A Flood Warning is in effect for the Illinois River through La Salle and Peru. The river is up to 19 feet as of noon Wednesday and is expected to go over the 20 foot flood stage by Thursday morning. It’s supposed to fall back below flood stage Friday morning.

The Illinois River at Ottawa is also rising but is expected to crest about a foot below flood stage.

Peru woman indicted in fatal crash that killed elementary school teacher

A Peru woman has been indicted for driving under the influence when she caused a crash that killed a popular teacher and theater performer.

Margaret Insco was indicted Tuesday for aggravated DUI and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. She allegedly was driving impaired last September when she crashed into a truck and car on Route 251 in Peru.

57-year-old Kim Parsons of Spring Valley died in the crash. Parsons was a teacher at the time with the Streator Elementary School District and was involved with Stage 212.

Insco is in the La Salle County Jail on $500,000 bond.

Search and rescue training being offered in La Salle County

Whether it is a natural disaster or an effort to find someone, volunteers will be needed. You can be trained for search and rescue operations during a two-day class being offered through the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency.

The training is free and will be held March 21st and the 22nd Emergency Operations Center in Ottawa. It starts at 8:30 both mornings and will last 16 total hours. You need to be there both days for certification.

The deadline to register is Friday. For sign up information click here http://www.eventbrite.com/e/lasalle-county-ground-search-and-rescue16-hour-tickets-15380497482?aff=es2&rank=1