Ottawa Man Given Four Years for Robbery at Toll House on I&M Canal

An Ottawa man is headed to prison for a robbery that took place in May.

Twenty-five year old Lucas Brown pled guilty in court Friday to one count of robbery. He was accused of robbing some homeless people who were at the Toll House along the I&M Canal. When he was arrested police had said some stolen items were in his possession.

Brown was sentenced to 4 years in prison and 2 years of probation. He had spent time in jail as recently as last year for drug charges. He had been released from custody last October.

Route 6 Project Delayed Due to August’s Heavy Rains

Rain can not only slow you down on the roads, but it can also slow down work being done to the roads themselves.

This was especially true for work being done on Route 6 over Milliken Creek between Ottawa and Marseilles. The nearly $1,000,000 project was expected to be completed in early August, but has been pushed back due to heavy rains.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation the culvert and road work will now be finished in late September. The road will then be reopened as the rest of the project is finished.

Man May Spend Rest of His Life Behind Bars if Convicted in Armed Robbery, Shootout

The man allegedly behind an armed robbery in Streator appeared in court Friday morning to learn the charges against him.

William Webb from Rockford is accused of robbing the south side Circle K in Streator and firing a pistol at a Streator Police officer who was first to the scene shortly after 9:00 last night. The 50-year old Webb was caught by police after a short chase. It wasn’t Webb’s first run-in with police, as he had been paroled less than a year ago for a murder sentence he was serving in Winnebago County.

States’ Attorney Brian Towne read the three felony charges against 50-year old William Webb from Rockford. Webb has been charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm. If convicted, Webb would likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

He is currently in the LaSalle County Jail. His bond was set at $2,000,000.

Woman hit on I-80 near Ottawa was checking on a flat tire

A woman is in serious condition after being hit while checking on her semi’s tire along Interstate 80 near Ottawa.

State troopers say Linda Shelton parked her semi on the shoulder of eastbound I-80 Friday afternoon because of a flat tire. While outside the truck, she was hit by an oncoming semi driven by Andrzej Skoropad. Skoropad wasn’t hurt but was ticketed for improper lane usage.

Shelton meanwhile was flown to OSF St. Francis Medical Center where she was listed in serious condition Friday afternoon. The crash brought I-80 traffic to a standstill for several hours.

Bed and breakfast in Ottawa raising concerns

When you think of a bed and breakfast, you probably think about a few guests visiting a relatively quiet home. However, if you lived next to one B and B in Ottawa, you might have a slightly different vision.

Thursday night, at a special meeting, the Ottawa City Council talked about wedding receptions, pig roasts, and other large events being held at a licensed bed and breakfast in the town. Commissioner James Less described how “No Parking” signs had been put along the streets before an event, without the permission of the city. The council went on to discuss other potential violations of the Bed and Breakfast Ordinance that were going on at the home.

Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut said he had seen the East Prospect St. residence first hand and there were “an awful lot of people.” He went on to tell the Council that “we have to do something,” although nothing specific was on last night’s agenda.

While no formal action was taken against the bed and breakfast, the council plans to keep a close eye on the home in the coming days.

Boil order in place for parts of Dalzell

There is a water issue in Dalzell.

The east side of the village along with the Timber Creek Estates is under a boil order for the next 24 hours or so. Earlier Friday morning these areas had no water at all.

Stay tuned to Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO to find out when the boil order for Dalzell is lifted.

Alleged gas station robbery involves shots being fired in Streator

Gunfire was exchanged between police and an alleged armed robber in Streator.

Streator Police were called to the south side Circle K gas station just after 9 Thursday night. When the first officer showed up he allegedly encountered an armed robbery in progress.

The suspect had a handgun and shot at the officer who returned fire. After a foot pursuit, 50-year-old William Webb of Rockford was tracked down and arrested for armed robbery.

No one was injured in the exchange of bullets. Webb was taken to the La Salle County Jail.