Ottawa Woman Arrested for Allegedly Having Sex with Teen

While an Ohio woman may have been found not guilty of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager, an Ottawa woman is now being accused of the same thing.

Ottawa Police received a tip earlier in the week that led the State’s Attorney’s office to issue a warrant for Savannah Lyles. The 21-year old Lyles turned herself in and was arrested for aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She’s accused of having sex with a teenage boy.

Shortly after being arrested she was able to post $1,000 bond to be released from custody.

Ongoing Investigation Leads to Peru Man’s Arrest for Child Pornography

A Peru man received a visit from police early this morning to find out he’s in serious trouble.

The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year old James Einhaus at his home shortly after 6:00. Alongside the deputies were members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that includes members of several police units in the Illinois Valley and statewide.

His arrest followed a search of his home by police who were conducting a child pornography investigation. As a result of that investigation, Einhaus was taken in for two counts of possession of child pornography.

Einhaus is currently at the LaSalle County Jail where his bond has yet to be set. According to police the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

Streator Man to Stand Trial in December for Alleged Car, Garage Fires

A Streator man will be in the hot seat in December when he stands trial for arson.

Twenty-two year old Antonio Tinoco was arraigned Thursday on two counts of arson. He pled “not guilty” during his first appearance in court with his lawyer.

Tinoco’s trial was set for December 5^th. He’s accused of being behind a car and garage fire that happened at two separate locations one night in early September.

He remains in custody at the LaSalle County Jail where he’d need to come up with $10,000 to get out. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 17^th.

Gas prices hold steady across the Illinois Valley

The price at the pump at the end of September is a lot like it was at the beginning of the month; right around two dollars a gallon.

According to GasBuddy.com, you can fill up for $2.02 a gallon in Peru. Everywhere else in the Illinois Valley has gas ranging from $2.05 to $2.09 a gallon.

The statewide average for unleaded is at $2.26, that’s the same as it was a week ago but 27 cents cheaper than this time last year.

Vintage European sports cars headed to Starved Rock

If you or someone you know is a big James Bond fan, get on out to Starved Rock Lodge Saturday afternoon.

The lodge is hosting lunch as part of a classic car tour that features European sports cars and motorcycles. The tour is leaving out from Chicago Saturday morning at 9 which will put them at the lodge at around 1:30.

Among the cars expected to roll in are: a 1957 Aston Martin; a 1956 Jaguar; a 1957 Mercedes-Benz; a 1964 Porsche and BMW; and a 1962 Volkswagen.

Famous Oglesby “bird man” passes away

An Oglesby man who became a local celebrity when facing charges of illegally taking a couple baby eagles has died.

Sixty-five-year-old Steve Patterson died unexpectedly Wednesday at his home. A celebration of his life will be Saturday afternoon at the Peru Eagle’s Lodge.

Back in February of 2015, a jury said Patterson wasn’t guilty of illegally taking a bird of prey and protected species. A previous trial for the same incident ended with a hung jury. During his second trial, a Go Fund Me page raised thousands of dollars to pay for his legal expenses.

In 2014 Patterson admittedly walked out to a wooded area along Route 251 south of Peru and took two injured baby eaglets to his home. They had been displaced when a storm knocked their nest down. While Patterson maintained he was just doing the right thing as a bird lover, prosecutors thought Patterson overstepped his bounds.

You can find out service details for Steve Patterson by going to the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO.com obituary page.

It’s all about fighting cancer Sunday in Utica

Whether you like walking for charity or going to a social event to help out, there’s something for you Sunday in Utica.

Sunday morning Starved Rock Lodge will host their “Hike for a Cure” event. Four guided hikes will head out as people hike to the top of Starved Rock in support of a cure for breast cancer.

After the hikes, the “Angel of HopeFest” kicks off in downtown Utica. The free street party will have drink specials, vendors, raffles, and live music. It’s the third year for the Angel of HopeFest, which runs from noon to 4:00.

If you’d like to participate in the Hike for a Cure, the cost to register is $20 and you can do that by clicking Hike For a Cure

Ohio Woman “Not Guilty” of Only Charge Against Her in Underage Sex Case

A former cheerleading coach and school board member in Ohio is a free woman.

After hearing closing arguments, a jury returned a “not guilty” verdict for 40-year old Mindy Ringenberg on Thursday. The verdict was for the only count against her of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. She had been accused of having sexual relations with an underage boy.

The arrest ends a more than six-month case where Ringenberg had been dealing with the court system. She was initially charged in the matter back in February.

Ottawa Comprehensive Plan Wins State Award in Chicago

An Illinois Valley city’s flood plan is earning them statewide recognition in addition to helping keep them dry.

The 2016 State Conference was recently held for Illinois’ chapter of the American Planning Association. A number of awards were given out at the event, and Ottawa is bringing one back to the valley.

Mayor Bob Eschbach accepted the Daniel Burnham Award for Outstanding Comprehensive Plan. The award honored the work the city had put into revamping the Ottawa Comprehensive Plan, which looked to minimize flood impacts as well as improve stormwater management, among other things.

The plan was funded by a $100,000 federal flood recovery grand that had been given to the city by the State of Illinois.

Police Arrest Princeton Man Believed to be Behind Wednesday’s Garage Fire

An arrest has been made in connection with a garage fire that took place Wednesday near Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton.

Police have arrested 26-year old Daniel Hartsough of Princeton for arson. He is accused of starting a fire which scorched a detached garage and the two cars inside of it.

Firefighters had been called to the 400 block of Park Avenue East at around 6:45 yesterday morning for a burning garage owned by Dan and Maria Hartsough.  Crews had the fire out quickly but major damage was already done.