Ottawa woman accused of home burglaries

Charges have been filed following an investigation into two burglaries which took place in Ottawa earlier this month.

Kari Kathamegos of Ottawa is accused of two counts of residential burglary stemming from two break-ins that occurred last week in the area of Post and Fremont St.

Her bond is $50,000.

Well known burglary allegedly strikes again with Spring Valley businesses

Once a burglar, always a burglar. At least that seems to be the case for Michael Shan of Spring Valley.

Shan who has been convicted and done time twice already for burglary, faces new burglary charges. He was arrested Thursday night on three counts of burglary. Shan is accused of burglarizing M&D Resale, Mean Metal Guns and Valley Coin and Pawn within the last month.

Arrested alongside Shan was Ashli Ciesielski of Spring Valley. She was picked up for possession of stolen property and possession of heroin.

Both were taken to the county jail in Princeton.

State budget crisis cutting back hours for important Illinois Valley agency

The state budget standoff continues to hit social service agencies hard like the Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living.

IVCIL will be closed more around the holidays this year than in the past because of state funding issues. The non-profit in La Salle will be closed from November 23rd thru the 27th and December 24th and 25th and from the 28th thru the first of the year. About a month ago, IVCIL started closing Thursdays at noon and closing all day on Fridays.

IVCIL helps people with disabilities to reach their independence. They offer help in Bureau, La Salle, Putnam, Marshall and Stark Counties.

Illinois Valley gas prices surge below two dollars a gallon

If you’re looking for something to be thankful about, how about lower gas prices?

Gas in Peru has dropped all the way down to $1.77 a gallon. You can fill up in Streator and Utica also for under $1.80 a gallon. Mendota is at the higher end with unleaded going for $1.99.

Prices haven’t been this low in the Illinois Valley for years. Going back to November of 2012 for instance, gas was $3.29 a gallon in La Salle and Peru and $3.49 a gallon in Ottawa and Streator.

The statewide average price of gas has gone done 17 cents in the past week.

Prison awaits Oglesby woman who admitted stealing over a million dollars from her employer

Years of embezzling money from her employer has an Oglesby woman looking at hard time behind bars.

Fifty-seven-year-old Connie Steinbach has been sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to theft of over a million dollars. She is eligible to get out early for good behavior which could mean she’ll spend less than four years in prison.

Steinbach was arrested last November for stealing over a million dollars while working at JB Contracting in La Salle. The embezzlement happened over a six year period.

Steinbach has to pay all that stolen money back as part of restitution. La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says she’s already been able to come up with about $500,000 by cashing in retirement funds and using insurance coverage. Steinbach and her family also gave up a truck that was bought with the stolen money.

Her daughter, Ashia Kolodziej of La Salle is accused of taking part in the scheme with her mom. She is out on bond after coming up with $5,000.

Major snowstorm heads for the Illinois Valley

Ready or not the first snowstorm of the fall and winter season is coming.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from late this evening thru mid-Saturday afternoon. A rain and snow mix late this evening will change over to all snow Saturday morning and continue into Saturday afternoon. When all is said and done, snow accumulations could be between 4 and 8 inches.

Even after the snow ends, it’ll be miserable with blustery conditions and bone chilling temperatures with a low Saturday night in the single digits.