Washington Man Recovering in Peoria Hospital after Semi Crash Near Ottawa

A Washington man who was hospitalized after a two-semi crash is reportedly in “fine” condition today.

Forty-four year old Donald Stone was going west on Interstate 80 when he came into the construction zone near the Ottawa exit. Police say 23-year old James Wallis from Iowa was slowed for traffic in the construction zone, which Stone did not realize.

Stone then hit the back of Wallis’s trailer, according to police. He was taken to OSF St. Francis Medical Center where he is listed in fine condition. He was also cited for failing to reduce speed.

Rauner Calls Out Democrats After Moving Address Due To Protests

The usually quiet chambers of the Ottawa City Council were filled to capacity Monday afternoon in anticipation of a speech by Governor Bruce Rauner. City Hall as a whole was so packed the Governor’s speech ended up being moved to the downtown courthouse a few blocks over.

School superintendents from throughout the Illinois Valley were in attendance along with teachers and union members to hear Rauner talk about the state budget impasse during a “educational and government operations funding” address. In the speech, Rauner criticized Michael Madigan and other Democratic lawmakers for holding up funding for education and social services to get more money for the “Chicago political machine.”  While not mentioning him by name, the governor urged Illinois Valley voters to contact Andy Skoog, hoping to get Skoog and other lawmakers to “stand up to Madigan.”

When asked about the controversy surrounding Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino, Rauner said he “shares the concerns” State Senator Sue Rezin and others have expressed.

Crack in the road causes motorcycle crash

A crack in the road is being blamed for a motorcycle crash in Spring Valley.

Thirty-three-year-old Carrie Sill of Joliet says she was on West Dakota Street Sunday afternoon when she rode into a large crack in the road. That caused her to lay her motorcycle down. Sill says she hit her head when she fell.

She was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital.

Relay for Life of La Salle County back for another year

It’s relay for life week in La Salle County.

The annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society kicks off Friday night at 6 at Streator High School and ends at 6 the next morning. There will be guest speakers throughout the night along with survivor and caregiver laps around the high school track.

The always emotional luminary ceremony is at 9 Friday night.
So far, 250 people have signed up for the relay and have raised more than $41,000. To get more information or sign up for the Relay for Life of La Salle County, click Relay for Life

Large union gathering awaits the governor

Union members are meeting up Monday at Jeremiah Joe Coffee in downtown Ottawa but its not to get a cup of joe.

That’s the meeting place before they head over to Ottawa City Hall for the governor’s visit. Illinois Valley Building Trade’s President Steve Conrad put out a Facebook message over the weekend calling on union members to greet the governor.

While saying he isn’t anti-union, Rauner remains at odds in negotiating a new contract with the state’s largest union, AFSCME.

Cancer center in Peru ready to celebrate five years of services

Chances are if you or someone you know has been battling cancer, you’ve visited the Valley Regional Cancer Center in Peru. There’s a fifth anniversary party planned for the center on Saturday.

Everyone is invited to celebrate the anniversary as part of an open house starting at 1. There will be tours of the center on Venture Drive along with kid’s games, live music and a brief ceremony followed by a balloon launch.

The cancer center is a partnership between Illinois Valley Community Hospital and St. Margaret’s Hospital.

Deadly year so far on La Salle and Bureau County roads

With more than half the year left, La Salle County is well on its way to blowing by last year’s fatal crash numbers.

Through May, 11 people have died in 10 separate crashes on La Salle County roads. Fourteen people were killed in 13 crashes all of last year. Only five counties out of 102 have seen more fatal crashes than La Salle County in 2016.

In Bureau County, seven people have died this year in seven different crashes this year. That’s also way ahead of last year’s numbers when eight people were killed in eight crashes.

In Putnam County, one person has been killed in a car crash this year after just one the year before.

Life Flight helicopter called to motorcycle crash near Utica

The man involved in Sunday night’s bad motorcycle crash near Utica is from Ottawa.

James York was on Route 6 just before 7 o’clock on the Osage Curves when he left the road and went into a ditch. He was westbound when he lost control.

York was flown to OSF. St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. No one else was involved in the crash.