Early returns are out for archery deer season

It’s been a tough last few weeks for deer in Illinois.

Over 8,800 deer have been killed during the first dozen days of Illinois’ archery deer season. That’s about 200 more deer killed than at this point last year.

So far in La Salle County, bow hunters have brought down 148 deer compared to 121 deer killed so far this season in Bureau County. Putnam County bow hunters have taken out 54 deer.

La Salle County’s kill total is 10th statewide. Archery deer season lasts into January.

More lotto winners in Illinois will have to wait their prize

Remember the uproar about lotto winners in Illinois not getting paid? There’s still no budget which means even more winners are getting “IOUs.”

Beginning Thursday, all winners over $600 will have payments delayed until a budget is passed. Before it was anyone who won over $25,000 had to wait for their cash. Danny Chasteen of Oglesby won $250,000 and is still waiting to collect.

Lotto officials think their check writing account is now exhausted and they have no legal authority to replenish the funds.

State promises bike path across new bridge in Utica

Cyclists rejoice, you’ll soon have a protected bike path from Dee Bennett Road across the river to the entrance of Starved Rock State Park.

According to the NewsTribune, the state has agreed to include the bike path into plans of replacing the Route 178 bridge. There will be a concrete wall and fencing to protect cyclists from traffic and from potentially falling into the river. The village will be responsible for the cost of fencing.

The hope is that construction of the new bridge will start next year.

Trident nabs alleged Mendota heroin dealer

The heroin supply in Mendota has taken a hit.

Members of the Mendota Police Department and the drug group Tri-DENT arrested 26-year-old Tara Wiskur Wednesday night at her house. She was picked up for delivery of a controlled substance. Wiskur allegedly sold heroin to an undercover informant several times.

She needs $100,000 bond to get out of the La Salle County Jail.

La Salle City Council passes “Cupcake Ordinance”

Do you or someone you know sell baked goods like cupcakes out of your own house? There are rules you have to follow.

A new state law was passed last year making it legal, but the law only takes effect after the city you bake and sell in approves it. That’s why La Salle approved a “cupcake ordinance” Monday night so the city is now in compliance with the law.

Under the law, you can sell baked goods made in your home kitchen as long as you don’t make more than $1,000 per month, the food isn’t potentially hazardous, and buyers of your baked goods know that it was made in a home kitchen.

The so-called “cupcake law” came to light last year after a county health department near St. Louis shut down a pre-teen girl’s cupcake operation because she wasn’t license. The girl was baking and selling to raise money for local fundraisers.

Pennsylvania duo appear in court after setting off brief manhunt in La Salle

If you’ve been following the story of an Interstate 80 traffic stop turned manhunt, the two brothers in trouble showed up in La Salle County Court today.

Thirty-five-year-old Andrew Smith is charged with aggravated fleeing and eluding, obstructing justice and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. His old brother Jeremiah Smith is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and obstructing justice.

At about 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, members of the drug team Tri-Dent stopped an eastbound Nissan Versa on I-80 near Ladd. Andrew Smith allegedly sped away and led police on a chase through Peru and into La Salle. Due to a blown tire, the brothers ditched their car in downtown La Salle before swimming across the I & M Canal near Lock 14.

They were eventually caught in a field shortly before 5 o’clock and taken into custody without incident.

One month countdown begins for Taste of Home Cooking School

If you’re looking forward to the next Taste of Home Cooking School, it’s now only a month away.

The show is Saturday, November 14th at LP High School. You’ll be able to learn new recipes while watching them prepared on stage by Culinary Specialist Guy Klinzing. Before the show, you’ll have a chance to meet people selling home items and get lunch.

VIP tickets are 30 dollars, premium seats are 20 dollars and general admission is 12 dollars. The gourmet ticket package which included a premium seat and an autograph session with Guy has sold out.

You can buy tickets here Taste of Home tickets

Vandals leave teacher’s memorial in pieces

Unfortunately here’s another example of how low some people can go.

A marble bench that’s outside Midland High School honoring former teacher Art Englebrecht was vandalized Sunday night. Pieces of the bench were broken off.

Englebrecht was an Agriculture teacher with the Sparland and Midland School Districts for over 35 years. Two years ago some of his former students donated money to pay for the memorial after he passed away.

If you have any information about the vandalism, call the Midland District Office.

Amtrak train smashes into a wide load trailer in northern La Salle County

An Amtrak train on its way from Mendota to Chicago made an unscheduled stop Tuesday afternoon.

The train filled with 179 passengers and 13 crew members smashed into the trailer of a semi carrying an oversized load. The crash happened along Route 34 west of Somonauk.

Deputies think the semi driver, 58-year-old Brian Barthel of Minnesota was crossing the tracks when the crossing arms came down while his trailer was still on the tracks. The oncoming train couldn’t avoid hitting the backside of the trailer.

One passenger on the train was looked over at Valley West Hospital.