France allegedly warned of impending attack

Iraqi intelligence sent an alert to coalition countries 1 day before the Paris attacks, warning of imminent assaults by the Islamic State group. The dispatch was shown to an Associated Press reporter, and the information was corroborated by six senior Iraqi intelligence officials. It said the Islamic State leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, had ordered attacks such as “bombings or assassinations or hostage-taking” against countries at war with the group. Officials say France was among the countries warned.

French police have issued a wanted notice with a photo of a man suspected of involvement in the Paris attacks. One security official says the Belgian-born 26-year-old, Salah Abdeslam, is the brother of one of the suicide attackers who seized a Paris concert hall, and another of his brothers has been arrested in Brussels.

Ege concludes long firefighting career

The plaque for a retiring firemen is usually a golden firemen’s axe mounted on a large polished piece of wood. It was Assistant Chief’s Ege’s turn last night at the Mendota Moose Lodge. Dean Ege worked about his entire career with Mendota Fire Department, except 1 year in West Brooklyn. He joined Mendota in 1977 and went full time 2 years later.

Ege was known as an “engineer” – the guy who drives the truck and the department’s training officer. Fellow firefighter and EMT, Randy Simpson, said Ege was a believer in getting the best training for firemen in his department.

It was only about 7 hours after his Ege’s retirement, his now former firefighter family, was summoned to a barn fire northeast of the city.

Council to look a truck problem

If you drive a 18-wheeler and use the wrong LaSalle streets, the council sees you as a problem. According to the News Tribune, the city’s “Streets and Alley” committee will meet Monday night to determine new solutions to tractor-trailers clipping tree limbs and power lines. The committee meeting precedes a re-scheduled city council meeting for the 16th.

Semis are going on streets too small for them and not properly graded. Police Chief Rob Uranich, at the last meeting, said the city’s current ordinance is “extremely old” and should be reshaped to resemble ones used in Oglesby and Peru. Uranich said delivery trucks and moving vans will likely remain extempt.

Geneva couple hurt near Starved Rock

A Geneva couple were hurt late Sunday morning when their motorcycle lost control entering the “Starved Rock” curves on Route 71.   A deputy with the LaSalle County Sheriff’s office told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” news the vehicle left the roadway and hit the treeline.  Both were taken to IVCH for treatment of injuries.

France in mourning over attacks

France is in mourning as it tries to cope with the coordinated attacks across Paris that left at least 129 people dead and 352 injured. 1 of the suicide bombers has been identified from a finger recovered at the site. Some of his relatives have been questioned. Meanwhile, thousands of French troops have hit the streets and popular Paris tourist attractions are closed.

Decade long shoplifting spree ends in Chicago

A suburban Chicago couple has pleaded guilty to charges they stole millions of dollars in goods during a decade-long shoplifting spree.

Branko Bogdanov and his wife, Lela, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts of transporting stolen goods across state lines. The couple admitted in a plea agreement with prosecutors to stealing as much as $9.5 millionin goods dating to 2004.

Their 39-year old daughter, who operated in tandem with her parents has also plead guilty  to her involvement in the scheme.

Fans welcome back Lady Cavaliers

   Fans of the LP Volleyball team made noise in Sellett gym Saturday night to welcome home their girls from the State 3A Tourney in Normal. LP lost to Mascoutah and placed 4^th Saturday afternoon.

   AD Randy Gunia said it’s rare when we can witness our goals and expectations being met at the higheset state level.  These ladies and their coaches have met those goals.  Outstanding Ladies.”  

Coach Mark Haberkorn stated: “You couldn’t find a better way to end this season.   We finished second in the public league since the other two were in a private league.”

Barn catches fire near county line

    Who was out at 3:45am Sunday in the Mendota area? The answer: Mendota Firemen. Firefighters were called to a burning barn, east of I-39, on East 6^th road, about ¾ of a mile south of the county line.

   “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” news was talked with Lonnie Eisenberg, an engineer with Mendota Fire Department. Eisenberg said the 70 X 30 ft structure was completely engulfed by the time they arrived. It took 45 minutes to put the fire out with another 2 hours for mop up. There were no injuries and a nearby house was not damaged. The cause is under investigation.

   Troy Grove, Compton, Paw Paw and Earlville assisted at the scene. Peru Firemen manned the Mendota station during this call.