Water restrictions, boil order lifted in Spring Valley

If you live in Spring Valley and your car is looking a little dirty or your lawn is looking a little brown, you are now free to use water for both again.

The city-wide water restrictions that had been in effect for several weeks in Spring Valley have been lifted. Water samples that had been taken to the local lab came back with the all-clear.

Also, a city-wide boil order that had been in effect since Tuesday has also been called off.

Construction to begin soon on 251-Bottom Road intersection

It looks like the Illinois Department of Transportation heard your concerns.

Nate Sell with the IDOT office in Ottawa said construction begins August 31^st on the infamous and much-maligned Route 251 and Ben Samek – otherwise known as Bottom Road – intersection.

Sell said construction includes creating an off-set right-turn lane that will shift the southbound 251 lane to the west. According to Sell, cars turning left from Bottom Road onto 251 will be better able to see oncoming traffic.

Advanced Asphalt out of Princeton will be doing the work. Sell said construction should be completed by mid-to-late November.

Red-tailed hawk shot down near Earlville

The Department of Natural Resources could use your help in finding out who illegally shot a red-tailed hawk.

The hawk was found earlier this week injured by the Indian Creek north of Earlville and was taken to the Tri-County Veterinarian Services in Earlville.

Unfortunately, the vet couldn’t save it and had to euthanize the hawk. According to the vet, it was the fifth hawk shot and killed this summer between Plano and Mendota.

If the person who shot the hawk is found, they would face felony charges.

The DNR is investigating the incident. If you have any information, call the DNR or the Tri-County Veterinarian Services.

Standard man arrested for allegedly breaking into pro shop, crashing during escape

A Standard man is in trouble after allegedly breaking into the pro shop at a golf course and then crashing during his escape.

A call came into the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office shortly after 6 Wednesday morning about someone breaking into the pro shop at Edgewood Park Golf Club and taking some stuff.

A half hour later, the Sheriff’s Office got another call about a car in the ditch on Morel Road near Magnolia. When deputies got on the scene, they noticed several golf-related items in the car.

The driver, Jacob Theobald, was charged with burglary of the pro shop, illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor, illegal possession of alcohol by a minor, zero tolerance, driving on the shoulder and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Theobald was taken to the Putnam County Jail.

Three Chicago men facing forgery charges in Spring Valley, La Salle

Several businesses in the Illinois Valley were victims of counterfeit bills yesterday afternoon.

Spring Valley Police arrested Javonte Roberson and Jamie Smith of Chicago and John Sharp of Cottage Grove at the Spring Valley Casey’s after the men had allegedly passed fake $100 bills at Angelos Restaurant, Jimmy Johns, Dollar General, Valley News and Casey’s.

Before getting arrested in Spring Valley, the men had tried passing fake bills in La Salle and Peru, including at Mickey’s Massive Burritos and Debo’s Ace Hardware.

Sharp was charged with two counts of forgery and Roberson was charged with one. They were both taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Smith is facing multiple forgery charges and was transferred to the La Salle Police Department.

The Spring Valley Police Department is still investigating the incident.