Three million dollars bond for a Streator man accused of murder

Murder and attempted murder charges have been filed against a Streator man.

Fifty-eight-year old David Stayton was in Livingston County Court Tuesday to hear all the charges against him and find out that he needs $300,000 to get out of jail. Stayton is accused of shooting and killing 73-year-old Sam Murphy at his house in rural Long Point on Sunday.

According to the Bloomington Pantagraph, Stayton went to Murphy’s house to talk to a woman he lived with and that Stayton allegedly had a relationship with. When Murphy refused to let Stayton in, Stayton shot and killed him.
Stayton is then accused of shooting at the woman inside the home. She was eventually able to get out of the house okay.

A tactical team arrested Stayton and he was then taken to the La Salle County Jail where he remains. The shooting victim is related to a Livingston County employee so Stayton is in Ottawa to avoid any kind of conflict of interest.

Test results could lead to felony charge in Route 6 collision

One week after the fatal crash that killed Kari Ryan of Peru, no formal charges have been filed yet against the other driver.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says they are waiting for blood alcohol test results to come back from St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. That’s where Dale Hancock of Coal City was treated after a head-on crash last Wednesday with Kari Ryan.

The initial accident report by the state police said Hancock crossed into Ryan’s lane of traffic. However it remains to be seen if he was driving under the influence at the time of the

Airport manager in Peru says fireworks could work at his venue

The Peru fireworks will probably have a new spot next summer, but where is still up in the air.

The Peru Parks and Recreation Board last night heard from Chuck Studer with the Illinois Valley Regional Airport about the possibility of having the 2016 fireworks at the airport. Studer says it certainly is a possibility, but the city would have to submit an application to the state at least 90 days in advance, and it would probably be best if the application was sent in 5-6 months ahead of time.

Studer says even though the city owns the airport, regulations say the airport must be paid if it hosts a non-aeronautical event. The cost is figured out by a “fair market rent.”

The Parks and Rec Board made it clear they are just weighing their options and haven’t decided on a spot yet for next summer’s fireworks.

Annual “Boo” Milby Memorial Run/Walk returns to La Salle

Do you know someone with Alzheimer’s? The stats say you probably do. One out of every three seniors die from Alzheimer’s in the United States

You can do your part to help the fight against Alzheimer’s at the 8th annual “Boo” Milby Memorial 5K Run/Walk in La Salle this Saturday. Peg Gonet is a board member with the Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Group. She says all the money raised at the 5K Run/Walk stays in the Illinois Valley.

The 8th annual “Boo” Milby Memorial 5K Run/Walk starts at 8 Saturday morning at Northwest School in La Salle.

For more information click Boo Milby 5K

The feds thinking of shrinking Interstate 180 down to two lanes

Do you think Interstate 180 is busy enough to need four lanes? There’s talk of reducing it to two.

According to the NewsTribune, Congressman Adam Kinzinger told the Putnam County Board that the lane reduction has been brought up. The Republican says he’s against the change.

Putnam County Board President Duane Calbow wants to look at ways to prevent the change, saying downsizing I-180 would impact the marketability for economic growth.

Streator man accused of trying to steal construction materials from Peru school

An alert neighbor is credited for stopping a burglary in Peru.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says a person living next to Northview School called police Monday night about a suspicious car and someone loading things into that car from the school construction site. Officers showed up and eventually pulled over 38-year-old Thomas Mullady of Streator on Route 251.

He was arrested for burglary after allegedly having copper wire and other construction materials in his car. Mullady is expected to have a bond hearing today in La Salle County Court.