Wanted Ottawa Man Arrested on Charges He Recorded Having Sex with Child

An Ottawa man who was wanted for failing to appear in court was arrested Wednesday on far more serious charges.

Ottawa Police arrested 26-year old Antwuan Bell after an investigation that started more than a month ago. Police say they were made aware of a video back in April that allegedly shows Bell engaging in a sexual act with a child.

Bell was arrested at his Ottawa apartment. He was charged with one Class X felony of Child Pornography as he was allegedly the one who recorded the incident, according to police.

He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail where his bond was set at $105,000.

Back porch catches fire at Spring Valley home

If you woke up to sirens in Spring Valley, it’s because of a fire call.

A 9-1-1 call went out just before six Wednesday morning for a back porch on fire at a home on West Iowa Street. The home is just off of Route 89 and south of downtown Spring Valley.

According to the NewsTribune, a neighbor noticed the fire and helped keep it contained to the back porch by using a garden hose. Firefighters eventually knocked the blaze down in under an hour.

Nobody was hurt and damage was kept to the porch and to the siding of the homes garage.

Young boys accused of vandalism in Ohio

A rash of vandalism in Ohio is being blamed on 12 and 13-year-old boys.

Two boys were arrested this week by the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office for criminal damage to property. They’re accused of spray painting graffiti on buildings and cars throughout Ohio back on January 24th.

After getting arrested, the boys were released to their parents.

Semi hauling corn overturns at the I-80 and I-39 interchange

Some clean ups are harder than others after a semi loses its load.

A big rig hauling corn overturned Tuesday morning on the Interstate 39 southbound ramp to eastbound Interstate 80. Troopers say 53-year-old Dwain Plumless of St. Elmo failed to negotiate a curve, left the ramp and overturned spilling some corn.

Plumless was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru. He was ticketed for improper lane usage.

Warm temperatures and severe weather in store for the Illinois Valley

It’s hot and muggy which means thunderstorms could be on the horizon.

The Illinois Valley is under a “marginal risk” for severe weather Wednesday. The best chance of strong to severe storms according to the National Weather Service is mid-afternoon through mid-evening.

With a high temperature Thursday approaching 90, there will again be a small chance of severe weather.

Golf outing will raise funds for firefighter training facility

With any job, training is a good idea to stay at the top of your profession. That’s especially true when you’re a firefighter.

La Salle and Peru Fire Departments are raising money towards building a shared training facility. One way to pay for it is a golf outing.

The benefit will get going Saturday, June 4th with a 1 o’clock shotgun start at Senica’s Oak Ridge in La Salle. It is $75 a golfer with teams of four competing for prizes.

You’re asked to register no later than this Friday with the La Salle or Peru Fire Departments.

Dog poop getting attention from Peru City Council members

Do you regularly pick up the dog poop in your yard?

According to the NewsTribune, members of the Peru Public Services Committee are talking about writing up an ordinance to go after owners not picking up after their dogs. City Clerk Dave Bartley says currently there is no ordinance setting up a punishment for owners who let the dog poop pile up in their yards.

Police Chief Doug Bernabei says they could fine owners if its considered nuisance.