Man Pleads Guilty to December Robbery of Peru CVS

Do you remember a robbery and manhunt in the Illinois Valley that happened right before last Christmas?

One of the men, 23-year old Deonte Harris, is headed to prison. Harris was in court Thursday morning for what was going to be his final pre-trial hearing. Instead, an agreement was laid out. He agreed to plead guilty to robbery, the only charge against him.

Harris is accused of going into the Peru CVS last December, and stealing items before getting in a car and driving away. Later that day, police would find the car abandoned in Utica. They would ultimately capture him after a manhunt that included four K-9 units, tactical teams, air support, and dozens of officers.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors asked Judge H. Chris Ryan to sentence Harris to no more than 5 years in prison. If convicted, he could be sentenced up to 7 years.

Harris will learn his fate after a sentencing hearing October 27^th.

Plea agreement possible in sex case involving former L-P substitute teacher

A former substitute teacher and coach at L-P High School was back in court facing sex charges.

Twenty-four-year-old Kyle Pisano is charged with felony criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He was arrested earlier this year for allegedly having sexual relations with an underage student. He has posted $7,500 bond and is out of custody.

Prosecutor Greg Sticka and Pisano lawyer Karen Donnelly both seemed to indicate that they were negotiating a plea agreement. Pisano has a final pretrial hearing scheduled next Thursday.

Candidate at center of animal rescue league endorsement releases statement

The candidate involved in a campaign endorsement controversy has released a statement to Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO.

A mailer paid for by “Friends of Karen Donnelly” recently went out indicating the Republican Donnelly was endorsed by the Safe House Animal Rescue League in Bureau County. The rescue group’s lawyer says her client is not endorsing Donnelly and cannot legally do so since they are a not-for-profit group.

Donnelly tells WLPO “I was completely unaware of the 501c3 status of the Safe House Animal Rescue League and had I known I would have never accepted, or used their endorsement in any mailing.” She goes on to say “It is my sincerest hope that my opponent and anyone else would allow Safe House Animal Rescue to continue their vital work without further threats to their 501c3 status.”

Donnelly is running against current states’ attorney, Democrat Brian Towne.

Rainfall reports from across the Illinois Valley

It looks like you’ll have to mow the grass again very soon.

According to weather spotters with the National Weather Service, two inches of rain fell in the last 24 hours in Sheridan.  About an inch and a half was measured in Leonore and Grand Ridge and a little less than an inch in Ottawa.

According to listener reports, more than two inches of rain fell in Ladd, Granville, Peru, Spring Valley and Webster Park.  A little less than an inch and a half fell at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO studios in Oglesby.

Alleged trespasser made himself comfortable on someone else’s couch in Ottawa

Have you ever woke up and found an unwanted visitor in your home? That startling situation played out Thursday morning on the west end of Ottawa.

Deputies were called out to a home on Boyce Place for a report of an intruder. Forty-one-year-old Gabriel Lovell of Ottawa was found sitting on the home’s couch.

He was arrested for criminal trespass and taken to the county jail.

Homestead Festival expected to bring big crowds to Princeton

A buzz is in the air in Princeton. The 45th Annual Homestead Festival kicks off Friday and continues through the weekend.

Things get going Friday night at Soldiers and Sailors Park with BBQ and an ice cream social along with a chorus and horse-drawn wagon rides. There will also be live music, a beer garden and bags tournament Friday night at Darius Miller Park.

The Homestead Festival Parade is Saturday at 1:30 while the flea market and car show are Sunday. The winner of the 50/50 drawing will be announced Sunday afternoon around 3:30.

For a complete schedule click Homestead Festival

Eyesore in Peru could soon be leveled

A closed gas station in Peru that has become a place to park party buses or cars that are for sale could be coming down soon.

The city has hired K-Plus Engineering out of Chicago to prepare bids for demolition of the old Marathon gas station at 4th and Calhoun Street. Part of the demolition will be to remove underground petroleum tanks that the city hopes to use state funding to pay for.

City Engineer Eric Carls thinks the station could be gone by late fall or early winter. The city council will then decide what to do with the empty corner lot.

Last year the last owner of the gas station was fined $500,000 by the state for putting the public at risk when underground tanks weren’t removed before closing in 2013.

Power outages and down limbs after overnight storms

It wasn’t a severe weather outbreak by any means but storms Wednesday night did wreak some havoc across the Illinois Valley.

As of 8 Thursday morning, Ameren is still reporting over 200 outages in Ottawa. Wednesday night there were outages along Dalzell Road in the area of St. Bede Academy. The Peru PD says a truck clipped some wires.

City workers and police have also been busy with downed trees. Both Peru and Spring Valley officers and city crews were dealing with storm damage this morning.