Open Windows may Draw Birds, Bugs, and an Ottawa Woman

How would you react if you were sitting at home and saw someone climb in through your window?

That scene played out Thursday afternoon in Ottawa, where a woman with a history of hopping through open windows now faces a new charge. Ottawa Police say they received a report of a woman who tried to climb into a house through a window, but ran when the homeowner confronted her. They tracked down 31-year old Kari Kathamegos, who was charged with one count of Attempted Residential Burglary after an interview with police.

Back in November, Kathamegos had a run-in with Ottawa cops after she allegedly got into two other houses that had left their windows open. She was taken to the LaSalle County Jail where she awaits a bond hearing.

Theft Charge for La Salle Woman Only Adds to Extensive Rap Sheet

A La Salle woman appeared in court once again Thursday in a role she knows all too well.

Fifty-eight year old Debra Ward was indicted Thursday on a felony charge of retail theft. According to the State, she was arrested after allegedly stealing less than $300 work of items from the Kohl’s in Peru on Wednesday. The reason the charge was a felony is because Ward has been convicted of several other theft-related crimes in her life.

If convicted this time, she faces 1 to 6 years in prison. She is currently being held at the county jail in Ottawa.

Crack cocaine arrests made in Mendota

Two more alleged drug dealers are off the streets in the Illinois Valley.

The Mendota Police Department worked with drug cops from Tri-Dent in pulling over 47-year-old Feriand Johnson Wednesday evening. Johnson who is said to be homeless but with a prior address in Joliet was arrested on a warrant for dealing crack cocaine in the Mendota area.

A couple hours later in Mendota, 32-year-old Autumn Lucas-Trujillo was arrested for allegedly dealing crack cocaine in Mendota. Both Johnson and Lucas-Trujillo were taken to the La Salle County Jail needing $50,000 to bond out.

Chicago TV crew coming to Rips in Ladd

A local institution for chicken will have a TV crew in town Thursday.

The WGN show called “Chicago’s Best” is filming at Rip’s Tavern in Lad later today. The show sends its two hosts in and around Chicago to find the best food.

“Chicago’s Best” airs on WGN every Sunday night at 10.

Aspiring politician backs push to get Frank Mautino to resign

A candidate for the office formerly held by Auditor General Frank Mautino is applauding the latest efforts to remove him from office.

Republican Jerry Long released a statement referring to Mautino as part of “Michael Madigan’s Chicago Machine,” saying the investigation could cause a “potential state crisis.” The union truck driver from Streator wants Mautino to resign immediately.

Long ran unsuccessfully against Mautino for his General Assembly seat, and is currently in the middle of a heated election with Mautino’s replacement, Andy Skoog.