State Settlement May Mean Money for Owners of LCD Electronics

Do you know someone who always has to have the latest gadgets? If you or someone you know was among the first to get an LCD TV or other electronics, you may have overpaid and might be able to get some money back.

Some makers of LCD products have agreed to pay $104 million dollars to Illinoisans to settle a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. According to Madigan, “These companies illegally conspired to fix prices for LCD screens.”

To be eligible, you had to have bought a device with an LCD screen between 1998 and 2005 from Sharp, LG Display, Hitachi, Epson, or Chi Mei Innolux. The most you could get ranges from $270 for a TV to $20 for a small screen device. You have until October if you want to file a claim.

You can click here to get more information on the settlement and how to file a claim.

Master Gardeners Give Lessons to Help Your Garden and Give Families Food

We’re already starting to feel some of the April showers. And if they have you thinking about planting some May flowers, some Master Gardening award winners can help you out.

The Marshall-Putnam Master Gardeners are holding an A to Z Vegetable Gardening class for anyone interested in gardening, regardless of experience. The free class is Thursday at the Hennepin Library and starts at 6:30.

In addition to teaching classes, the master gardeners also give seeds and planting equipment to food pantries in Marshall and Putnam counties. They then work with families that get the supplies, teaching them how they can grow their own vegetables.

Infamous drug dealer runs into trouble in Streator

One of the leaders of the infamous “Da Hittaz” drug gang in La Salle County is in trouble again.

On Tuesday afternoon Streator Police pulled over 32-year-old Clarence Merritte of Chicago. Merritte was arrested for driving with a revoked license.

Merritte was paroled from prison in February of 2014 after serving over five years for the class X felony of criminal drug conspiracy. He was among a group called “Da Hittaz” that were arrested and sentenced in 2008 for running a drug ring between Chicago and the Illinois Valley.

The leader of the group is Clarence Merritte’s brother Calvin. He’s expected to be let out of prison in 2018.

Cleanup crews respond to spill at Putnam County construction company

There was some commotion Thursday morning on the north side of Granville.

Firefighters and cleanup crews responded to a liquid spill at J.W. Ossola Construction. It turned out to be calcium chloride that is used to de-ice roads.

Crews covered the liquid with sand and there are no health concerns. Granville Police showed up to direct traffic on Elm Street north of Route 71.

Scam alert in La Salle

There’s another scam going around the Illinois Valley.

La Salle Police say they’ve been getting complaints of a phone scam where the scammer will tell the targeted victim that a relative of theirs is in legal or financial trouble. The scammer will try and create a sense of urgency for you to send money, trying to make you think a relative was arrested or in a car crash. Sometimes the scammer claims to be an officer or attorney.

If you get this kind of call, check up with relatives before giving money. It’s always a good idea to hang up and call police as well.

Police chase ends near I-39 with the suspect shooting himself

A stretch of Interstate 39 was closed for a high-speed chase that ended with the suspect killing himself.

DeKalb officers along with state troopers were chasing a man Wednesday they say carjacked someone on Route 38 in DeKalb. The suspect lost control on Route 38 near I-39. The driver shot and killed himself inside of the car.

A stretch of I-39 near Rochelle was closed down for awhile during and after the chase.

“70s Night” raising money for scholarships at IVCC

If you don’t remember much about the 70s, maybe a trip down memory lane is needed.

The Illinois Valley Community College Foundation is having a “70s Night” celebration tomorrow night at Senica’s Deer Park in Oglesby. There will be silent and live auctions, food, drinks and a live DJ spinning 70s tunes.

Tickets are $25 with the proceeds going towards scholarships at IVCC. If you buy a ticket, you are automatically entered into a drawing for a pair of tickets to see Heart.

Alleged truck stealer brought back to La Salle County to face the music

The man accused of stealing a truck from a La Salle gas station is back in the Illinois Valley.

Thirty-one-year-old Ronald Catalanello of La Salle needs $10,000 to get out of the La Salle County Jail. He’s charged with felony unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

On Monday afternoon, police in Countryside outside of Chicago arrested Catalanello after he allegedly crashed a stolen pickup that was taken last Monday morning at Becks in La Salle. Catalanello is accused of stealing the pickup after a man left it running at a gas pump.

He is due in Ottawa court Friday.