Motorcycle crash in Spring Valley sends rider to the hospital

Falling on a bicycle you may get scrapes and bruises. Falling on a motorcycle usually is a lot more serious.

Thirty-four-year-old Miley Smith of Dixon says he was pulling out of the Walmart Distribution Center Friday morning just after one o’clock in Spring Valley when he laid his motorcycle down. Smith says as he turned onto Route 89, he pulled back on the throttle and hit some gravel, causing him to lost control.

Smith was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital. He wasn’t ticketed.

FBI offering reward in Peru bank robbery

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now offering up to a $10,000 reward if you can give information that leads to the arrest of the Centrue Bank armed robber.

The FBI has released a wanted poster showing surveillance photos of the man accused of walking into the Peru bank Tuesday morning and stealing an undisclosed amount of cash. The robber showed what looked to be a gun. The thief was wearing a wig, an oversized suit and a clear mask. The FBI lists the robber as being white, six feet tall with a thin build.

If you have any information, call the Peru Police Department or the FBI office in Chicago.

Property tax bills arriving in La Salle County mailboxes

The taxman is calling again in La Salle County.

Over 65,000 property tax bills were mailed last Saturday. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, call the treasurer’s office at 434-8219.

First installment of property tax bills are due Thursday, July 7th. The second installment is due by September 7th. There are several ways you can pay property taxes. You can pay by check, automatic withdrawal, cash or credit card.

There is a drop-box for payments in the east parking lot of the government complex on Etna Road in Ottawa.

Gas prices hold fairly stable in the Illinois Valley

If you’re headed out of town this weekend, you won’t find much difference from town to town when it comes to gas prices.

According to GasBuddy.com, at least one spot in Peru has $2.20 gas while you can find gas between $2.21 and $2.25 a gallon in Streator, La Salle, Mendota and Utica. It’ll cost more to fill up in Ottawa with the cheapest gas at $2.36 a gallon.

Statewide the average for unleaded is $2.50 a gallon, 46 cents cheaper than a year ago.

Music and Arts Festival showcases local talent in La Salle

The Illinois Valley has had plenty of live concerts over the years but not many festivals have included 14 bands on two stages spanning three days. That’s the set up for this weekend’s Music and Arts Festival at La Salle’s Rotary Park.

The festival opens Friday at 4:30 and then gets going at noon Saturday and Sunday. Besides the 14 different bands including an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band, there is an art show featuring local talents along with food and alcohol vendors and raffles.

It costs $5 to get in. If you don’t want to deal with driving, there is a shuttle that you can hitch a ride from every 20 minutes across from Westclox in Peru.

Vandals leave behind mess at Starved Rock State Park

A big reason people flock to Starved Rock State Park is its natural beauty. Apparently some respect the beauty more than others.

According to the NewsTribune, someone or some people vandalized the Council Overhang with spray paint within the last week. Park Superintendent Kerry Novak says the graffiti stretches about 60 feet.

The popular photo-op location has had people write their names on the sandstone over the years.

Suicide prevention walk returns to Princeton

It’s time to walk for a cause in Princeton.

The 7th annual Living Works Suicide Walk is Saturday in the city. The event is both about prevention of suicide and remembering loved ones who have been lost to suicide. The walk starts at 10 o’clock at Darius Miller Park and ends at Zearing Park, where there will be a balloon launch, music by 212, raffles and guest speakers.

It’s $25 to be a part of. You can register by clicking Living Works Walk