Buckets of rain fall across the Illinois Valley

As predicted, it rained a lot Friday across the Illinois Valley.

According to a weather spotter in Princeton, 5.7 inches of rain fell from Friday morning thru the evening. Over 3 inches of rain was measured in La Salle with two inches falling in less than an hour. Just short of two inches of rain was measured at the WLPO studios in Oglesby.

The rain caused flash flooding in parts of La Salle and in Mendota where a stretch of Route 251 had to be closed. Friday’s storms did produce a tornado near Frankfort in Will County.

While no injuries have been reported, the twister caused roof and tree damage.

Fun with Legos overshadowed by theft at the La Salle Public Library

A lot of kids have fun at the La Salle Public Library’s Legomania event.

Unfortunately, three children apparently tried to ruin it for everyone.
Library officials say during their first ever “Legomania” event, three children stole Legos. The act was caught on camera by the library’s security cameras.

If the Legos are returned to the library by Wednesday, they’ll consider the matter closed with no questions asked. If the blocks aren’t returned, the library says the children won’t be allowed to participate in future Lego events.

The next Legomania event is next Wednesday. A Facebook message from the library says staffs will evaluate how to watch over the gathering so Legos aren’t stolen again.

Spring Valley man accused of dozens of burglaries

A three-county burglary spree could be over after the arrest of a Spring Valley man.

Thirty-three-year-old Mason Hass of Spring Valley has been arrested for numerous felony charges. According to the La Salle Police Department, over the last several months around 30 business, residential and car burglaries were reported throughout La Salle, Bureau and Marshall Counties. After several interviews and the search of a home in Peru, investigators executed a search warrant in Spring Valley, leading to Hass’ arrest.

He is being held on $100,000 bond. Hass was on parole after being convicted and serving prison time for residential burglary in La Salle County back in 2012.

According to the La Salle P.D., additional charges may be pending and more arrests could be made with the burglaries.