Man and Woman Wanted after Weekend Break-in at Hegeler-Carus Mansion

A typically peaceful La Salle landmark turned into a crime scene over the weekend.

The Hegeler-Carus Foundation put out a statement Monday saying the mansion was broken into by two people on Sunday. According to the message, a man forced his way in via a ground floor window before attempting to let a woman in.

While inside, he set off an alarm that sent La Salle Police to the scene. The pair ran before police could catch them. If you know anything about the duo, the foundation is asking you to call the La Salle Police Department.

Despite the break-in, the mansion will resume its normal tour hours Wednesday.

September Weekend to Bring Music, Food to La Salle Once Again

If you’re a music lover, or just someone who loves breaking out the grill in the fall, you’ll want to head to La Salle next month for a weekend that’s about both of those things.

The 3^rd Annual “Barbeque and Blues” event will be bringing great food and music to La Salle next month as part of a weekend celebration in the city. The event, which is sponsored by St. Margaret’s, will have live music and a cook-off starting at 6:00 on Friday, September 9^th.

The next day, the party continues with “Jazz In The Street.” It’s the 11^th year for that event, and Dan Burke has been in charge of both events every year. He says he can’t believe how much the celebration has grown.

All money raised from the event goes to the LaSalle Business Association. Burke says he expects the event to continue growing this year, which will allow the association to continue to help businesses in the community.

Police Look for People Behind Rash of Vandalism in Streator

Streator Police are looking for your help in finding the people behind a string of incidents involving windows that have been shot out in the city.

Over a four-day period last week, police say they’ve gotten 41 reports of windows being shot out of vehicles. They also received nine reports of windows that were shot out at businesses or homes.

According to police, a group of people have been using a BB gun to commit the acts of vandalism. They say the investigation is ongoing.

If you know anything about those responsible or have had your property damaged and are looking to report it, you can call the Streator Police Department at 844-0911.

House fire breaks out on east end of Spring Valley

Fire trucks and an ambulance all responded to a house fire Monday morning in Webster Park near Spring Valley.

A 9-1-1 call came in around 10:45 about flames showing from a house at 410 Elm Street. An ambulance was quickly called because of a possible person suffering from smoke inhalation. Ladd and Peru firefighters were called to help Spring Valley at the scene.

You’ll hear more details as they become available.

Two Marseilles men hurt in different wrecks

Within a couple hours, two guys were hurt in separate crashes near Marseilles.

At 12:30 Sunday morning, 19-year-old Ritchie Miller of Marseilles fell asleep at the wheel and went off a county road. He hit a road sign and fence. Miller was taken to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Two hours later, 41-year-old Jayson Byrd of Marseilles went off a county road and hit a telephone pole. He was arrested for DUI, speeding, driving without insurance and with a revoked license. Byrd was initially taken to the hospital in Ottawa and then flown to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Addiction awareness walk planned in Peru

Drugs continue to be an epidemic. You can join others in walking in memory of those loved, lost, and still struggling with addiction this Saturday in Peru.

The “Buddy’s Purpose” Overdose Awareness and Memory Walk goes from 10 until noon at Centennial Park. There will be a mile walk to bring awareness to the drug epidemic along with a program with guest speakers, information tables on addiction and picture boards in memory of victims of substance abuse.

The addiction awareness event will finish with a balloon release. For more information about the overdose awareness walk, click Overdose Awareness Walk

Fair week gets going in Bureau County

It’s fair week in Bureau County!

The 161st Bureau County Fair gets started Wednesday and runs through Sunday in Princeton. The Draft Horse Pull gets the grandstand entertainment started Wednesday night. Thursday is the annual country concert featuring Dustin Lynch. Friday night you can check out a Tractor and Truck Pull in the grandstand.

Over the weekend at the fairgrounds, you can take in a couple demolition derbies on Saturday and Mud Drag races on Sunday. There will also be a carnival, plenty of food, and a Bureau County Talent Show where two winners will compete at the state county fair talent contest in January.

For a complete rundown of the Bureau County Fair, click Bureau County Fair

Fatal hit-and-run case up for discussion in Princeton

The defendant in a fatal hit-and-run in Princeton is due in court Monday.

Bureau County Judge Marc Bernabei will decide on motions involving the case of 23-year-old Haylee Miller. Miller is accused of failing to report an accident in late June on the west side of Princeton near the Hillview Mobile Home Park. The crash killed 31-year-old April Williams of Princeton.

Motions to be decided on include: whether or not to move Miller from the La Salle County Jail to the Bureau County Jail; whether or not to reduce Miller’s $500,000 bond; and whether or not to have Miller undergo mental health exam. Her jury trial is supposed to start September 26th.

Ottawa Chamber planning a forum for state election candidates

Candidates involved in a couple hotly contested elections in the Illinois Valley are expected to be under one roof in a few weeks.

The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Candidate’s Night Tuesday, September 13th at Central School in Ottawa. Invited to speak are Democratic State Representative Andy Skoog and his Republican Jerry Long along with Republican State Senator Sue Rezin and her Democratic challenger Chris Benson.

Audience members will be allowed to submit questions for the candidates. The forum will start at 7 on the 13th.

Illinois River rises close to flood stage

With all the rain last week, you may be wondering if the Illinois River is going to flood.

A Flood Advisory is in effect for the river at the La Salle and Ottawa locations. The good news is that the river in both spots crested Monday just below flood stage.

The Illinois at La Salle is headed down after going up three feet over the weekend and rising 7 feet since Tuesday. The river in Ottawa slowly rose about a foot last week.