State grant will mean upgrades to the Putnam County Library

The Putnam County Library in Hennepin is getting some improvements.

The library has been picked to be one of the 17 libraries in the state for a construction grant. The grant for the Putnam County Library is for $50,000. The money will be used to remodel the public restrooms, and modify the curb, sidewalk and entrances to meet requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The state handed out over $700,000 in grants to 17 libraries.

Attempt at a good deed leads to a carjacking near Spring Valley

A man trying to help out a fellow motorist in Bureau County turned into a carjacking.

Back on Friday night, state troopers in La Salle got called about a crash on eastbound Interstate 80 just past the Spring Valley exit. Before police arrived, a Good Samaritan stopped to help the driver, 26-year-old Rashad Atwater of Chicago. When Atwater asked the other driver to check out his passenger, he allegedly assaulted the Good Samaritan and took his pickup.

About an hour and a half later, a trooper near Chicago noticed Atwater allegedly driving the stolen truck on Interstate 55. Atwater crashed since he was driving on the rim of the front driver side wheel. He then is accused of fleeing on foot before being caught with a handgun inside a bag.

Atwater was arrested for unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, armed habitual criminal, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving on a suspended license. He was taken to the Cook County Jail.

Troopers say the vehicle Atwater initially crashed near Spring Valley was stolen earlier in the evening while he was in Iowa.

Victim of Utica fire in critical condition

The man who was injured during Sunday’s fire in Utica has been identified as 58-year-old Roy Lance.

Lance is listed in critical condition at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

He was rescued from an upstairs apartment by Utica firefighters Robbyn Travis and Andy Brown early Sunday morning when the two firefighters pulled Lance’s unresponsive body to safety.

He was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital before being flown to Rockford.

Armed robber on the loose after a holdup in Streator

Police from across the Illinois Valley are looking for an armed robbery suspect in Streator.

At around 10:15 Monday morning, a 9-1-1 call went out about an armed robbery involving a black male at The Cash Store on North Bloomington Street. The robber got away with two bags of money and took off on foot while wearing a dark two-toned baseball cap and green safety vest.

The description also included that the man was 5’10, around 155 pounds and that he was wearing black pants and a black shirt. He allegedly displayed a handgun during the robbery.

River trip ends with a boat flying into a tree near Ottawa

A day on the river for a Sheridan couple ended with them being thrown from their boat.

Conservation Police Sgt. Hank Frazier says Michael and Rhonda Arend were on the Illinois River late Sunday afternoon a half mile from the docks when they hit a log. Their boat went airborne, ejecting them from the boat. The boat ended up in a tree.

Michael Arend was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa while Rhonda was given some tickets.

Sunday police pursuit ends near Mendota

A high-speed chase that began in Freeport ended in Mendota.

According to state troopers, Alec Pulley of Chadwick pointed a handgun Sunday morning at a Freeport police officer. The officer fired back and a chased then ensued.

Several officers chased after Pulley before he crashed into the median of Interstate 39 just north of the Mendota exit. He was taken to St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota where he was treated and released.

Pulley was arrested for aggravated fleeing and eluding, DUI and unlawful use of a weapon. Officers say they found his handgun at the crash scene.

Clean up continues after fire in downtown Utica

Orange construction barrels and yellow caution tape sit today in front of a stretch of downtown Utica.

Over a dozen fire departments responded early Sunday morning just after 3 o’clock to a fire that broke out in an apartment above Second Look Antiques. As smoke was pouring out of the apartment windows, an unresponsive man was pulled to safety. The victim was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru before being taken to St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford. His name hasn’t been released.

The state fire marshal has been called in to investigate the cause of the fire on the north end of Mill Street. The American Red Cross is also helping in the recovery.

Illinois River is on the rise

Thanks to more rain over the weekend, the Illinois River is on the rise.

The river in La Salle is expected to rise above its 20 foot flood stage Tuesday night. A Flood Warning has been issued for the Illinois at La Salle from Tuesday through Friday.

The river is expected to crest about a foot above flood stage Thursday morning so only minor flooding is expected.