Easter Seals Telethon moving to Skydive Chicago

For a fundraiser to last 35 years, it has to evolve over time.

The annual telethon for Easter Seals of La Salle & Bureau Counties is moving to Skydive Chicago this May. Taking advantage of the new venue, there will be a “jump for kids” where if you raise at least $500 towards the telethon, you can do a tandem jump for $50. There will also be food, music, kid’s activities, and raffles.

This year’s fundraising goal is $76,000. Over 500 children are helped each year by Easter Seals of La Salle & Bureau Counties.

Oglesby prepping for major water main and road project

There’s a planned water shutoff that will effect part of the main drag in Oglesby.

The shutoff is Wednesday from 7 until 5 on Walnut Street between Magnal and Field Avenue. That’s just east of Mr. Salsas.

The city plans to replace more than a thousand feet of water main along Walnut Street this year. They’re also looking to resurface the road.

Driver hits parked car and Dollar General building in La Salle

Another business in La Salle has been hit by a vehicle.

La Salle Police and Fire Department went out to Dollar General Sunday morning after a driver hit the south side of the building after hitting a parked car. The driver, Bonnie Harkins of La Salle along with a passenger were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital for treatment. She wasn’t ticketed. Officers say only minor damage was done to the store.

Earlier this month a driver crashed into the front of Casey’s General Store.

Threesome from Iowa arrested after police called to Kohls in Peru

A shoplifting call in Peru turned into something a lot bigger.

Peru Police got a call about a retail theft at Kohl’s late Sunday afternoon. They ended up arresting Dakotah Antrim and Deena Russell of Davenport, Iowa for burglary and possession of burglary tools. Arrested along with them was Robert Oberlander of Clinton, Iowa for possession of cannabis and paraphernalia and being a fugitive from justice. He was wanted on two warrants in Iowa.

All three were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Firefighters raise thousands for childhood cancer research

Over 40 people, many of them local firefighters have freshly-shaven heads.

Ladd, Peru, Utica and Oglesby firefighters along with people tied to Carus Chemical raised $9,700 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. A total of 41 shavees lost their hair and raised money for childhood cancer research on Sunday.

This was the seventh year firefighters agreed to shave their heads at Senica’s Oak Ridge in La Salle.

Oglesby man wins big at the Home Garden & Lifestyle Show

Another successful Illinois Valley Home Garden & Lifestyle Show is in the books.

A crowd of around 700 checked out dozens of vendors yesterday at Celebrations 150 in La Salle. John Lopatic of Oglesby stopped by and is the winner of $4,000 to spend like cash at any of the shows sponsors.

Rod Thorson made the announcement on Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO.

IVCC looking to help small business owners

Would you like to start up your own small business or maybe are struggling to get the word about your existing business? Illinois Valley Community College wants to help you market your product.

IVCC is hosting a workshop called “Small Business Marketing” from 8:30 until 10:30 next Tuesday morning at the Oglesby campus. A business specialist with the Illinois Small Business Development Center will teach you about marketing opportunities and how to utilize them.

The cost of the workshop is $40. You can register by calling IVCC.

House fire sends several Illinois Valley fire departments to the scene

Several fire departments battled a house fire between Grand Ridge and Streator.

The initial 9-1-1 call went out around 8:30 Sunday night about a chimney fire that spread into a two-story home’s attic. The Grand Ridge Fire Department was first to respond and quickly asked for help from Streator, Seneca, Leonore and Marseilles Fire Departments.

Nobody was injured in the fire.

Marseilles man arrested for stabbing in Streator

A weekend stabbing victim in Streator is expected to survive after being flown to Peoria.

Several officers responded Saturday morning to a stabbing call on West 2nd Street in Streator. The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office says a 21-year-old man was found inside a home with multiple stab wounds.

He was flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says the wounds are superficial meaning they are not life-threatening.

Accused in the stabbing is 19-year-old Curtis Smith of Marseilles. He was arrested for felony aggravated battery and taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Spring-like weather settling in over the Illinois Valley

For the first time since the calendar changed to spring, there will be weather to match the season for an extended period of time.

High temperatures Monday through Thursday will be in the 60s. Friday and Saturday will be back in the 50s but Easter Sunday could be back around 60 for a high.

There’s a chance of rain Wednesday through Friday of this week but Easter weekend should be dry.