Man Allegedly Involved in LaSalle Truck Theft Used to Dealing with Police

One of the people allegedly involved with stealing a pickup from a LaSalle gas station is no stranger to police.

The Countryside Police Department yesterday took 31-year old Ronald Catalanello Jr. from LaSalle, and 27-year old Alleece Sartori into custody. Before allegedly taking off in the Ford F-150 a man had left running at the Beck’s in LaSalle, Countryside Police say the two stole from a nearby Target.

This will be Catalanello’s second time dealing with police in the past 6 months. He was indicted last December for Possession of Heroin and Aggravated Battery. The two are currently being held in Countryside.

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Annual Fundraiser Brings in the Bucks to Fight Multiple Sclerosis in the Illinois Valley

Cancer wasn’t the only cause that brought in tens of thousands of dollars in donations over the weekend.

The “Illinois Valley Legion Against Lesions” had their 3^rd annual charity event Saturday night, and as of this morning the event raised more than $21,000. By comparison, the event raised about $27,000 total in its first 2 years. The IVLAL was started by Jacci Pavy and her husband to help people in the Illinois Valley who are fighting multiple sclerosis.

In a statement on the group’s Facebook page, Pavy called this year’s event a “incredible journey” and “humbling experience.”

Nearly 50 employers signed up for annual IVCC Job Fair

Fine tune the resume and practice those interview skills. The 25th Annual IVCC Job Fair is Thursday, April 21st.

Nearly 50 companies have signed up to be at the job fair and they’re looking to hire. If you’re looking for a job, come dressed for success and bring several copies of your resume.

The job fair runs from 10 until 2. For more information click IVCC Job Fair

Budget crunch impacting live music in Oglesby

While municipal band concerts are free for you to enjoy, they are not free to the city’s playing host.

According to the NewsTribune, Band Director Larry Butkus made a plea to the Oglesby City Council Monday night for money to keep the band concerts going. Butkus says when he’s asked when their next performance is, he can’t say.

A show can cost nearly $5,000 and as of now the city council has only set aside $2,000 for the music. Mayor Don Finley was sympathetic to the band but doesn’t seem eager to take money away from somewhere else in the city to support the band concerts.

There used to be upwards of five band concerts a year in Oglesby but last year there were only two.

Police still looking for suspect in Peru Mall robbery

You’re help is still need in solving a robbery outside the Peru Mall.

Nearly a week after a woman says she was jumped and robbed in the mall’s parking lot, Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says the robber has not been caught. In fact Bernabei says they’ve had very few leads. Making things tough is the mall doesn’t have outside surveillance.

Last Wednesday night the victim was walking to her car along with her husband. As the woman opened her door, a man described as being black, 5’10 with a slim build wearing a black hoodie and black pants came up from behind and grabbed her purse off her shoulder. The robber allegedly ran with the woman’s purse to an orange or red pickup, possibly a Chevy Avalanche.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Peru Police Department at 223-2151.