Cost for bus rides going up in La Salle County

When you’re on a fixed income, every dollar matters.

Rates are going up for seniors and the disabled who use the countywide transportation system called North Central Area Transit, or NCAT. Right now it costs anyone who is at least 60 years or disabled $1 each way whether it’s a trip in Ottawa or out of town. The Ottawa City Council approved new rates charging everyone whether elderly or disabled or not 35 cents a mile per trip with a maximum fee of $5 one way.

Mayor Bob Eschbach says they need the fare increase to help pay the local match for grants. The new rates take effect October 1st.

Peru police investigating attack on Peru man

Peru Police are investigating an attack on 43-year-old Peru man that left him with serious injuries.

Police responded to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru shortly before midnight last night after the man was brought to the emergency room with apparent serious head injuries.

He was treated at IVCH before being flown to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

According to police, the victim was attacked by several men sometime last night near an apartment building in the 1800 block of May Road in Peru.

The incident remains under investigation. If you have any information, call the Peru Police Detectives or the Illinois Valley Crime Stoppers.

Peru boy life flighted to Peoria after truck vs. motorized bike crash

A 13-year-old boy from Peru was life flighted to Peoria after riding his bike into the path of a pick-up truck.

Peru emergency responders responded to the intersection of Market and Calhoun Streets on the south side of Peru shortly before 12:30 this afternoon about a pickup vs. motorized bike accident.

According to Peru police, the 13-year-old boy was riding the bike north on Calhoun when he didn’t stop or yield at the yield intersection. He drove out in front of a pickup truck driven by a 17-year-old boy from La Salle, who was heading west on Market. The investigation indicated the 13-year-old was likely using the bike with the engine on at the time of the crash.

The 13-year-old was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru and was then life flighted to OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Neither the 17-year-old pickup driver or his 16-year-old passenger from Peru were injured.

The investigation stated the crash wasn’t the 17-year-olds fault.

Chicago man arrested in Princeton Bank Robbery

One of the suspects involved in the May 28^th robbery of Centrue Bank in Princeton has been arrested.

According to the NewsTribune, 28-year-old Darryl Anthony Woods Jr. of Chicago was arrested last night by Chicago Police on a Bureau County warrant. He’s charged with burglary and robbery.

Woods was taken to the Bureau County Jail with his bond set at $100,000. An arraignment is scheduled for some time today.

Teen from Mineral is named the 2015 Bureau County Fair Queen

New royalty has been crowned at the Bureau County Fair.

Nineteen-year-old Megan Foes of Mineral is this year’s fair queen. She bested six other contestants.

The Junior Miss Queen is 13-year-old Mia Bowen of Tiskilwa. Bowen was picked from a dozen candidates.

The Bureau County Fair starts August 26th.

Burglary spree investigated in Oglesby

Before you go to bed tonight, remember to lock all your doors.

Oglesby Police are investigating at least four cases in the past week where a burglar or burglars got into unlocked homes and stole cash. Assistant Chief Mike Margis says the suspect or suspects focus on taking cash out of purses and unlocked cars. The burglaries have been in different parts of the city.

If you have money that went missing or maybe notice a door has been jarred open, call the Oglesby Police Department.

Door-to-door sales approved for Comcast in La Salle

If you live in La Salle and there’s a knock at the door, it might not be someone you expect.

The La Salle City Council unanimously approved a solicitor’s request from Comcast. The permit allows cable company employees to go door-to-door throughout the city to sell cable, internet, phone and home security products.

There was little debate about the permit, as council members said there weren’t any legitimate problems. City Attorney Jim McPhedran says Comcast has the right to get the permit since they had filled out all the paperwork correctly. He says you can always put a “No Solicitors” sign on your front door.

Comcast already has a solicitor’s permit in Peru.