Leave your truck running and it may not be waiting when you get back

One minute a man was filling up his truck with gas and the next minute someone was driving off with his truck.

That’s the scenario that played out Wednesday morning at Beck’s in La Salle. A customer left his truck running and doors unlocked at the gas pump when another guy is accused of seizing the opportunity to hop in and steal the truck. There was video of the suspect who police think is a man in his 20s, wearing blue jeans and a black and gray coat.

Police say the truck was last seen going west on Route 6. The stolen truck is a 2005 red crew cab Ford F150 pickup.

Streator firefighters get early call about dryer fire

At least one family in Streator is in the market for a new dryer.

Streator firefighters went out to 403 South Everett Street Wednesday morning for a dryer fire. Everyone in the one-story house got out okay and firefighters had the fire out in about five minutes.

Firefighters brought the burnt dryer out of the house and were able to keep fire, smoke and water damage to a minimum in the house.

Convicted murderer wants new trial in La Salle County

Facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison, a Dayton man wants a new trial.

Forty-nine-year-old William Horman was found guilty earlier this month of beating to death Ottawa truck wash owner Robert Dowd. He will be sentenced next month and could get up to 60 years.

Earlier this week the public defender’s office filed paperwork asking for a new trial. The claim is there were errors made before and during Horman’s trial.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says the appeal for a new trial is just a formality.

Health improving for Illinois Valley pastor involved in crash

Nearly two weeks after getting seriously hurt in a crash, a Spring Valley pastor is on the mend.

Rev. Robert Spilman’s condition has been upgraded to good. The 68-year-old is being treated at OSF St. Francis Medical Center.

Back on Thursday, March 17th, Spilman was in a two-car crash on Route 6 in Bureau County and flown to the Peoria hospital. Other pastors from around the Peoria Diocese have filled in for Spilman at the Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Spring Valley.

State representative using spring break to meet voters

Before ignoring the next random knock on your door, you may at least want to check to make sure it isn’t the newest member of the General Assembly.

Democrat 76th District State Representative Andy Skoog of La Salle has been spending part of his Easter Break back in the Illinois Valley, knocking on doors to hear what’s impacting voters. He says the budget stalemate in Springfield has been most frustrating part of his first few months in office.

Skoog along with other state lawmakers will get back to work April 4th. He faces an election challenge in November from Republican Jerry Long of Streator.

Streator mayor named to OSF hospital board

With OSF running the medical show in Streator, it makes sense to have Streator representation on an OSF hospital board.

Streator Mayor Jimmie Lansford and Streator-based surgeon Dr. Caner Celeboglu have been named to the St. Elizabeth Medical Center board. The board has 11 other members.

Streator became aligned with OSF after they took over the old St. Mary’s Hospital and opened an outpatient clinic called OSF Center for Health-Streator. The clinic is considered a satellite office to the OSF hospital in Ottawa.

Fundraiser in La Salle to bring awareness to Multiple Sclerosis

The Illinois Valley Legion Against Lesions is hoping to do for multiple sclerosis what Cops4Cancer has done for cancer.

Jacci Pavy was diagnosed with MS 5 years ago, and her daughter got the same news the next year. She found an opportunity to help herself and others in some hardship after a car accident:

Their 3rd annual charity event is at the LaSalle Knights of Columbus from 4 to 11 this Saturday. Tickets include a buffet-style dinner and live entertainment. They are $15 in advance and $20 on Saturday.

Pavy says the event raised $10,000 in its first year and more than $17,000 last year. You can get tickets by calling 220-0983.

For more information click Illinois Valley Legion Against Lesions

Leaf burning set to begin same week in Peru that La Salle maintained its burn ban

Don’t expect Peru to enact an across the board burn ban anytime soon.

Mayor Scott Harl says the city’s public services department only took three burning complaints last year. He says that’s not enough to change their burning policy. Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says his department was involved in 58 burning complaints last year but only a handful led to tickets.

Leaf burning season kicks off Friday in Peru and runs through May 31st. You can burn between 10 and 4 but can’t burn on Sundays and Mondays. The open burning in Peru is only for leaves, burning of anything else is not allowed.

A second leaf burning “season” in Peru runs October 1st through November 30th.

Spring Valley gearing up for annual walleye tournament

You’ll see more boats in the Illinois River this weekend, but what you might overlook is how that’s part of one city’s efforts to make the most of their natural resources.

Spring Valley boasts a boat launch that is great for fishermen, like those competing in the 30th Annual Illinois Valley Walleye Classic. But Debb Ladgenski, the Economic Development Director for the city, says that’s just one of many natural features the city has. Spring Valley is also planning an outdoor expo to draw people to the city later this spring which is sponsored by 815-Life.

Profits from this weekend’s tournament will go back into a number of river projects. Each team pays $400 to get into the tournament with payouts as high as $6,000 to the winners.

Rural King officials make pitch for ping pong ball drop

If you’ve been following the story about a ping pong ball drop planned at Rural King in Peru, it looks like it’s a go.

The manager and assistant manager of the Peru store met with city council members Monday to explain that the drop from a helicopter will be in the back parking lot where employees park. The area will be roped off and the helicopter will be at a height that is approved by federal regulations.

When first told about the ping pong ball drop last week, Mayor Scott Harl and a few other council members were concerned to say the least. Now Harl says he’ll personally be there April 30th to meet the Rural King CEO and says “it should be a nice little event for Peru.”