Big pot bust on Interstate 80

A man from Asheville, North Carolina may be stuck in the Bureau County Jail while his Panthers play in the Super Bowl.

Daniel Fisher was pulled over Thursday for allegedly speeding on Interstate 80 west of the Spring Valley exit. A drug dog showed up and according to investigators, led them to finding 20 packages containing 20 pounds of pot.

Fisher was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver. He was taken to the jail in Princeton.

Spring Valley woman an apparent victim of a “ruse burglary”

Be careful who you let inside your home.

An elderly woman in Spring Valley is the apparent victim of a ruse burglary. On Thursday afternoon, the elderly victim says a Hispanic man approached her house on East Fifth Street saying he worked for the city and was testing for acid in the water. The victim allowed the thief inside her home where he proceeded to run water, do a walk through and leave after a few minutes. After he was gone, the victim noticed jewelry missing.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man with a stocky build wearing a dark stocking cap and gray coat and jeans. If you have information, call the Spring Valley Police Department.

Remember city workers have city issued ID cards that they should show you before entering your home.

Gas prices in the Illinois Valley among the lowest in the state

The price at the pump continues to head down in the Illinois Valley.

You can now get gas for $1.29 in Ottawa which is tied for the cheapest in the entire state. Unleaded in Peru and Ladd is down to $1.31 with stations in La Salle and Utica selling gas for $1.35 a gallon. Mendota is at the high end in the Illinois Valley with $1.55 gas.

Statewide, the average price of unleaded is $1.62, down eight cents from a week ago.

Marseilles Police warn about new scam

Another week means another scam going around.

The Marseilles Police Department was called Thursday night that a scammer went to a house saying he was a city water department employee named Jeff. He told the victim he needed to inspect their pipes and shut their water off.

Remember that all city of Marseilles employees have an ID card and are supposed to show it before coming into your house. Call the police if you have any doubts.

Syphilis cases are on the rise in La Salle County

Earlier this week, you heard about scabies becoming a health issue in the Illinois Valley. Now there are concerns about the spread of syphilis cases.

The La Salle County Health Department has seen a spike in syphilis cases. There were eight cases of the sexually transmitted disease last year compared to just one case in 2013. Syphilis cases are also trending higher statewide and nationally.

Groups who should be routinely tested for syphilis include: pregnant women; anyone having unprotected sex with multiple partners; or having a partner who has tested positive for syphilis or other STD’s. There are no over the counter drugs to cure syphilis.

The average time between getting infected and seeing the first symptoms is three weeks.

Black & White Ball returns to help Illinois Valley children

It’s time to dress “to the nines” and raise money for children in the Illinois Valley.

The 7th Annual Black & White Ball put on by the Starved Rock Regional Center for Therapy and Child Development, formerly the Easter Seals is Saturday, February 20th. The goal this year is to raise $30,000 which will stay local and help over 500 kids with things like speech development and physical therapy.

Tickets are $100 a person and black ties are actually optional. A ticket gets you dinner and drinks plus you can enjoy live music and raffles.

For more information about the Black & White Ball at Senica’s Oak Ridge in La Salle, click Black & White Ball

Lead concerns closes Midland Elementary School for rest of year

Movers are needed today in Lacon.

Due to potentially hazardous lead paint being found inside and outside the Midland Elementary School in Lacon, kindergarten thru 4th graders will be moved to the middle school in Sparland for the rest of the school year. Fifth graders will be shifted from the middle school to the high school in Varna.

School officials hope to have the transition of schools ready by Tuesday. Classes at all three schools in Midland have been called off since last Thursday.

If you can help with moving equipment and supplies out of the elementary school to the middle school, meet today at noon at the school in Lacon.