Troubled boaters towed to safety Saturday

Trouble on the water at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam had a happy ending Saturday.  Sgt. Phil Wire with the Conservation Police said an Michigan man and his nephew were boating about 5pm on the Illinois River when the boat’s battery failed. They anchored very close to an inlet that takes water in to generate electricity.

Fortunately, the gates were closed and there was no undertow. Conservation police towed the 2 to the Starved Rock Marina.  Wire said both were in good shape and received no boating violations.  Another visitor had seen the boaters in trouble and called authorities.

Peru police nab 2 more alleged drug dealers

Peru Police and PERT found and removed 2 alleged drug dealers from Illinois Valley streets. PERT is the department’s Emergency Response Team.  Chief Doug Bernabei said Saturday 51-year old Carl Winchester, living in an apartment on May Road was arrested late Friday afternoon on a charge of unlawful delivery of purported crack cocaine, a Class 2 Felony.

Arrested later Friday evening for alleged Class 1 Felony trafficking of purported crack cocaine was 32-year old Kandi Davis of Joliet. She was taken into custody about 9:40pm Friday in the 1800 block of May Road.  Both are in the LaSalle County jail.

Davis’s bond is $1 million dollars with 10% needed to apply.  Winchester’s bond is half that. The arrest capped a multi-month investigation into possible drug activity in and around an apartment complex in north Peru.

 

 

Archaeology dig nearby needs help

Ever try your hand at archaeology?  You don’t have to go to Egypt.  Your chance is this week and next in Campton Hills, northwest of Geneva and St. Charles.  Garfield Farm Museum is doing shovel excavation, screening and washing of recover artifacts.  Work at the museum is focused on understanding the lives of 1830/1840s settling farmers in Northern Illinois.

Work will be this Wednesday through Sunday and the next. Individuals enrolling for a minimum of 40 hours receive orientation and structured training. If you can devote that much time,  that’s okay,  you’ll still be welcomed and receive an informal orientation. To register, you can email the museum:  info at garfield farm dot org.

 

Last day for Ottawa Riverfest

It’s looking like a beautiful day for a parade and that’s what they’ll do Sunday on the last day of Ottawa Riverfest.  Parade units will march from Lafayette to Fulton Streets at 1pm.  Line up is at 11:30 on Boyce Memorial Drive. Other downtown events are all-day outdoor Vendors and Farmers’ Market plus Art in the Park,  LaSalle County Cruisers 32^nd Annual Car Show at 10am,  Wilson’s Carnival in the afternoon and Adagio School of Performing Arts around mid-afternoon on the Jackson Street stage.

 

Trailer destroyed on I-80 Saturday night

What’s the latest I-80 mishap between Utica and Ottawa?  A semi trailer  was destroyed by fire after 11pm Saturday on eastbound I-80 half-way between Utica and Ottawa. Utica Assistant Fire Chief Mark Bierbom said personnel from Utica and Wallace Departments – along with State Police – were at the scene.

Bierbom said the tractor was detached from the burning trailer and was not damaged.  It is thought the driver’s rig might have had Quebec plates. Traffic was routed off at Utica and utilized Route 6 for a time.

Streator kids play ball Sunday on ESPN

Streator 12 yr old Al-Stars are moving up in baseball.  You’ll be able to see them play at 4pm Sunday in the Little League Great Lakes Region at Indianapolis.  The game will pit Streator against the Wisconsin state champs and can be seen live on ESPN 3.  Others in the tournament vying to go to the “Little League World Series” are Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio. Streator became Illinois champs Wednesday beating River Forest 6-5.