State Police Say Back to School Season Means More Caution Needed Behind the Wheel

With back to school season getting back into gear, Illinois State Police are reminding you to be wary of the possible hazards on the road that come with the season.

The first thing they’re reminding you to keep an eye out for are kids who may be walking or riding their bikes to school. They’re also pointing out that school zone speeds are in effect in those areas from 7:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.

In addition to being on the lookout for school zones, they also say it could cost you if you don’t obey crossing guards. They say failure-to-yield penalties are higher in those crosswalks.

Finally, State Police want you to avoid distracted driving, especially in school zones. They say it is illegal to use your cell phone while in a school zone.

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Third Bird in One Week Tests Positive for West Nile

An Oglesby bird has tested positive for West Nile virus, the third positive test in less than one week.

The positive tests could be a sign that the disease is being passed between birds and mosquitoes, according to the LaSalle County Health Department. They say after positive tests like these it isn’t uncommon to start seeing cases in humans. To date, there has not been a documented case of West Nile virus in LaSalle County.

West Nile can infect humans since mosquitoes sometimes bite infected birds.  So far La Salle County hasn’t had any human cases of West Nile.  Four out of five people who get the virus don’t even show symptoms.  Symptoms can include nausea, headaches and muscle aches.

Your best defense against mosquito viruses is to wear insect repellant and limit the time your outside between dusk and dawn.

Ottawa City Council Puts Procedure in Place for Fence Variances

If you live in Ottawa, the city may have just made it easier for you to get some privacy.

The Ottawa City Council approved a change to the city’s fence ordinance last night that will allow you to get a variance for your fence under certain circumstances. The need for the change came last month after the council realized there were no rules in place for variances. That meant, for example, if you had a pool and a corner lot, you could only build a chain-link or picket fence for privacy.

While some on the council had questions about the change, City Engineer David Noble explained it was important to pass it to put the variance process in place.

Even so, you may not see many new fences for a while. The variance process could take upwards of 60 days, depending on the situation.

Teens accused of breaking into cars in Ottawa

If you see a suspicious car in your neighborhood, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Ottawa Police got a suspicious car call Tuesday morning and they say it led them to a burglar. Eighteen-year-old Austin Rodriguez of Ottawa was arrested for burglary. He’s accused of getting into an unlocked car and stealing change. A passenger of his, a 17-year-old was arrested for two counts of burglary and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Rodriguez was taken to the county jail while the passenger was taken to the detention home. The Ottawa P.D. took eight different calls about car break-ins.

Oglesby woman busted for allegedly having heroin and cocaine

A woman from Oglesby already wanted for drugs, was allegedly found in Streator with more drugs.

Just before one o’clock Tuesday afternoon, deputies arrested 28-year-old Tara Jo Morgan at the Circle K South station in Streator on a failure to appear warrant for DUI of drugs. While being arrested, Morgan allegedly had on her cocaine, heroin and a hypodermic syringe. She faces new charges of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Morgan was hauled off to the county jail in Ottawa.

Celebration planned in Maud Powell’s birthplace

Did you know that someone born in Peru has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys? Violinist Maud Powell won that award posthumously in 2014.

There’s a party planned this weekend in Peru to celebrate Powell’s 149th birthday. The “Maud Powell Arts Celebration” will feature two days of live entertainment. Concerts will happen at the Maud Powell Plaza Friday night at the Peru Municipal Building and Peru Public Library throughout the day on Saturday.

For a full schedule of the “Maud Powell Arts Celebration”, click Maud Powell Celebration