Eight men from Walnut facing burglary and other charges

In a village of around 1,500, eight guys calling Walnut home are accused in a burglary ring.

Teenagers Daniel Johnson, Zachary Miller, Austin Macquairre, and Andrew O’Toole all were arrested for burglary. Derek Benevento is charged with burglary, residential burglary and possession of a stolen firearm while Patrick Cater is facing burglary and residential burglary charges. Riley Michael was arrested for unlawful use of weapons and burglary while Tommy Cain was picked up for residential burglary.

Deputies think they could be responsible for nearly a dozen burglaries in Bureau County and maybe others in surrounding counties. The sheriff’s office has found several things stolen including televisions, guns and ammunition.

La Salle officials not totally sold on Kaskaskia improvements

When is a crane parked next to a dumpster considered progress? When it involves the Kaskaskia Hotel in La Salle.

La Salle City Inspector Chris Covert says work is being done on the garage at the Kaskaskia along with pipe repairs over office space. He also has noticed some movement with the cooling units which could signal roof work over the kitchen area. Despite this, Covert says the hotel is at a “tipping point” where things like foundation repairs and exterior brick work need to be done or else the whole building has to come down.

Mayor Jeff Grove says until they see all code violations addressed, they will continue to take Kaskaskia owners to court. The next court hearing is November 13th.

Apparent suicide in La Salle park remains under investigation

What was going through a man’s mind before he decided to take his life in a very public setting?

La Salle Police were called around 7:15 Monday morning about an apparent suicide at Pulaski Park. Police Chief Rob Uranich says a man in his 20s was found dead on the east side of the park near the park’s large shelter.

The La Salle County Coroner will eventually release the victim’s name. Uranich doesn’t believe there’s any foul play surrounding the death. Just as a precaution a crime scene technician from the state police responded to the park.

He wouldn’t say how the man committed suicide.

Police think Ottawa man was dealing heroin near a city park

See something suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police. That’s what helped lead Ottawa Police to take an alleged heroin dealer off the streets.

Detectives began tracking Keith Griglione thinking he was dealing heroin from his home near Kiwanis Park. On Friday night, officers made their move and arrested Griglione after he drove away from Central School. The Ottawa drug dog led officers to allegedly finding four grams of heroin on Griglione.

He was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and taken to the county jail. Griglione needs $100,000 to get out of jail.

Home invasion reported near Marseilles

Details are sketchy so far about a home invasion in Marseilles and a burglary of the Norway Store.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office right now is only saying that a home invasion occurred overnight in the rural Marseilles area. They’re not offering any other details.

Deputies are also investigating a break-in to the Norway Store in Norway. Investigators say entry was made by a burglar or burglars and anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office.

Leftover rain from Patricia will impact the Illinois Valley

What’s left of Hurricane Patricia could drop a decent amount of rain on the Illinois Valley.

Rain from the storm is expected to start falling Tuesday during the afternoon with up to a half inch of new rain possible. The persistent showers will continue into Wednesday.

After the rain moves out, cooler temperatures move in with a high temperature Thursday around 50.