St. Margaret’s purchases former Sullivan’s property in Princeton

The St. Margaret’s Healthcare umbrella just grew a little bigger.

St. Margaret’s purchased the former Sullivan’s property on North Main Street in Princeton. The hospital will convert the space into a new St. Margaret’s Center for Family Health. About one-third of the building will be remodeled with the rest of the space available for in the future.

The Center will include primary care for all ages, including walk-ins for minor injuries and illnesses and obstetrical and gynecological care for women. The site will also feature digital X-rays and OB sonograms.

St. Margaret’s President and CEO Tim Muntz said St. Margaret’s goal was to improve access for patients who lived in the western portion of St. Margaret’s service area.

The center is expected to be completed by early 2016.

Outdoors Expo returns to Spring Valley this weekend

It’s an outdoor-lovers paradise Saturday at the Spring Valley Outdoors Expo.

The 2nd annual event is presented by 815Life.com and runs from 10 until 4. Besides food, raffles and live music, there will be a shooting range, free kids fishing lessons, a climbing wall and dozens of vendors. The 40-foot-tall fish tank is back by popular demand along with a dog show. All the activities are happening in downtown Spring Valley.

Rod Thorson from Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO will broadcast live from the expo starting at 9.

Weekly check of Illinois Valley gas prices

Gas prices have either held steady or even dropped a bit in the last week across the Illinois Valley.

According to GasBuddy.com, you can get gas for under $2.60 this morning in Streator and La Salle. Gas in Peru, Oglesby, Ottawa and Princeton is going for $2.63 to $2.69 a gallon while prices top $2.70 a gallon in Mendota and Spring Valley.

The average price of gas statewide is $2.94 a gallon, down six cents from a week ago.

Arrest for sexual assault of a child made in La Salle

A homeless man with ties to Peru is accused of a sex crime against a young girl.

Twenty-one-year old Cody Smith was arrested Thursday afternoon by La Salle Police on a warrant for predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. He’s accused of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old girl. The Department of Children and Family Services helped police with the investigation.

Smith was taken to the La Salle County Jail where his bond was set at $200,000.