Wanted man dies in Sunday morning shootout

Illinois State Police say that a man suspected in a non-fatal police shooting has been shot and killed in an incident in which an FBI agent was also wounded.

Authorities said Sunday that Dracy “Clint” Pendleton was killed in an early-morning shootout inside an abandoned house in southern Illinois near the Shawnee National Forest. The name and condition of the wounded federal agent was not immediately disclosed. He’s expected to survive.

Pendleton was charged with attempted murder in the May 7 shooting a Mahomet, Illinois police officer during a traffic stop. A state trooper pursuing Pendleton struck and killed a 26-year-old woman who was driving her van about 45 miles away.

The manhunt continued for more than one week, with authorities closing a portion of the national forest.

Peru police join enforcement campaign

Hundreds of law enforcement agencies including the city of Peru are joining in the annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign starting Monday. According to Deputy Peru Police Chief Bob Pyszka, officers will be out in force day and night through May 30^th,  looking to ticket seat belt violators and arrest drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.  Illinois law requires all occupants – front seat and back – to use their seat belt.

During an IDOT statewide observational campaign,  IDOT learned the overall use of seatbelts by back seat occupants was 84.9% , versus 95.2% for drivers and front seat passengers. Pyszka said we want motorists and passengers to buckle up this Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer –  It could be the difference between life and death.”

Provisional numbers showed 13 fatalities occurred on Illinois roads during the 2015 Memorial Day weekend.

Accident sends Sheridan people to hospital

2 Sheridan residents went to the hospital following a 2 car collision northwest of Sandwich about Noon Saturday. The Dekalb Sheriff’s office says 73-year old Fred Johnson of Sandwich was stopped facing west at the intersection of West Sandwich and Pratt roads.  Johnson turned in front of 46-year old Ben Harrington of Sheridan.

The impact caused Johnson’s car to spin around into the northeast ditch. Harrington’s passengers,   51-year old Lynda and 13-year old Riley Harrington and 26-year old Kaylee Siuda of Sandwich went to Copley Hospital.  No one in the Johnson vehicle was seriously hurt. No tickets were issued.

Regional Dispatch Center board meets Tuesday

Do you have any comments about the future Regional Dispatch Center? They’ll be time for you during the next meeting of the Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch Center Planning Board at 10am Tuesday in the Peru Municipal Building.

The agenda includes time for citizen comment and an executive session.  Personnel, equipment and financial reports are listed on the agenda.  Chairman is Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei.

Sunday starts National Police Week

Sunday is the beginning of National Police Week.  Will the “Men in Blue” get some respect in the next 7 days?  According to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Facebook post,  all flags should be at half mast until Monday. This is in honor of law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others and have died in the line of duty.

Any officer you encounter this week would appreciate a word of “Thanks” from you to be sure.

 

Skoog meets with Marseilles students

The art work Marseilles Elementary students put together was destined for a special place. 2 adults and 2 students went to Springfield recently to present Representative Andy Skoog with various art pieces honoring the men and women of the Armed Forces.

Lee Ann Raikes, English, Language Arts instructor,  Traci Grandgeorge, Technology Coordinator and 7^th graders, Brenton Sampson and Noah Trolinger combined coding and language arts to create a multimedia presentation.  Students collaborated together to compile each assigned section of their projects into 1 final piece of work.

Representative Andy Skoog said the Marseilles young artists made him proud to be their state representative.

Pantries differ over collection results

Vanessa Hoffeditz is “thrilled beyond belief”.  The Bureau County Food Pantry director was laughing happily from the tally of Saturday’s Rural Mail Carriers Food Drive.  Volunteers helped get the haul back to Pantry headquarters across from Darius Miller Park in Princeton.

Hoffeditz told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” the Pantry counted almost 10-tons of canned goods, cereal and crackers from city and rural routes.  Hoffeditz said the astounding donation number is partly due to the bags the 12 carriers left on their routes earlier and the fact that Princeton and surrounding communities support the Pantry very well. The over 19-thousand pounds helps kick off the summer season when some of their clients will have children home for the summer.

Illinois Valley Food Pantry collected a significantly smaller amount Saturday.  Donna Hess, its Director, said LaSalle, Peru and Oglesby carriers brought in 4050 pounds of food. Oglesby’s donations are expected to add another 1000 pounds when they come in Monday. Hess said last year’s total was about double of this year’s amount.  She would not speculate on why donations were down this year. It does create a problem since they have 700 clients – some of which will have children home this summer.

Kiosk service coming to all Wendy’s restaurants

Following the passage of $15 dollar minimum-wage laws in New York City and California, Wendy’s will offer self-serving kiosks in all 6000-plus U.S. stores by year’s end.  Todd Penegor is President of the late Dave Thomas’s food chain.  He told the Washington Times, that in addition to using technology to reduce labor costs, some franchise locations have been raising prices to offset the minimum-wage increase.

Some 600 company-operated stores are seeing wages increase 5 to 6% because of the minimum wage and the need to attract good labor through a competitive wage.  Wendy’s operates locally in Peru, Ottawa and Princeton.

 

New dog influenza found in Bloomington

Veterinarians in Central Illinois are recommending dog owners consider getting their pets vaccinated against the flu. The Journal Star in Peoria says multiple cases of a new type of dog influenza have been reported in Bloomington. It’s already prompted organizers of the Pooch Parade and Pet Fair in Normal to cancel the May 21 event.
Dr. Chris Couri is president of the Peoria County Veterinary Medical Association. He says even though dog flu isn’t a problem in Peoria yet, he encourages dog owners to talk to their vets about the vaccine. Couri says the dog flu is “highly contagious.” Dogs can get it from going nose-to-nose with another dog or just spending time in an area where an infected dog has been. The flu also can be transmitted through human contact.

Starved Rock marathon draws good crowd

From all indications, the Starved Rock Marathon drew in people to Ottawa from at least an hour away. The News Tribune said hundreds of runners were decked out in fluorescent running gear Saturday.  Most participated in the half-marathon, but a full one, of course, was offered, too.

It appeared a significant number were also first time runners. One experienced marathon runner said the 40 degree temperature at race time was ideal for the 26.2 mile run.