Emergency Crews Called to Rough Crash South of McNabb

Emergency crews were called to the scene of a rough crash in McNabb Monday afternoon.

The call went out to Putnam County EMS shortly before 5:00 about a one-vehicle crash where someone was reportedly ejected from their vehicle. The accident took place along Route 89 south of McNabb.

An ambulance had to take the victim to the Lacon airport where a LifeFlight Helicopter was called. We’ll continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

State Senator Sue Rezin, Commission Continue Work Towards Education Funding Reform

With five weeks until election day, is there one issue in particular that you wish candidates could put politics away to work on?

For one Illinois Valley lawmaker, education funding is that issue. State Senator Sue Rezin is a member of the Education Funding Reform Commission which she says has been working hard to find a way to fund schools.

According to Rezin, some bigger state issues, such as the overall budget, have made it hard to see some smaller things the state is doing right with regards to education funding.

The commission is scheduled to meet next week to continue their work. Rezin is currently running against Democrat Chris Benson for Rezin’s State Senate seat.

Meth Bust Leads to Four Arrests, More Possible in Lee County

When you hear about someone getting busted for drugs, you probably think of something like pot or heroin. In Lee County, four people were arrested for messing around with meth.

The arrests came after a month-long investigation into manufacturing and sale of the drug in the Sauk Valley. The first arrest was made Friday after undercover police allegedly bought meth from 27-year old Brandon Roberts of Dixon. He was arrested and has been charged with participation in methamphetamine manufacturing, as well as delivery and possession of the drug.

Police then searched the Magnuson Hotel and stopped a vehicle that reportedly belonged to Roberts. The searches led them to arrest 26-year-olds Keri Chambers and Westly Frey, both from Dixon. Later in the night, they arrested 26-year old Joseph Linscott of Dixon, where the other 3 were allegedly living.

Linscott, Chambers, and Frey were charged with unlawful possession of a methamphetamine precursor, which was found during the search of the hotel. Frey was also charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

All four were taken to the Lee County Jail. Police say the investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible.

Spring Valley Woman Arrested After Children Found in Street while She Was at Work

If you have to leave your child at home, you probably go out of your way to make sure they are cared for. That wasn’t the case for a Spring Valley woman who is now behind bars.

Spring Valley police were called to East Erie Street Friday afternoon about a child who was in the road. They found two children who had allegedly been left alone for about an hour and a half.

After a brief investigation, they arrested 21-year old Kelly Hernandez. She was charged with 2 counts of endangering the life of a child, as well as a warrant for violating her probation out of LaSalle County.

She was taken to the Bureau County Jail where she’s being held on $15,000 bond.

Hospital bus ends up on its side near Marseilles

One person was hurt after a Morris Hospital transport bus crashed off of Interstate 80.

The bus ended up on its side Monday morning just before 11 on the westbound side of I-80. Traffic immediately was down to one lane between Marseilles and Seneca but is back moving normally.

Troopers say one person was taken Morris Hospital from the crash scene with minor injuries.

Child porn defendant in Peru posts bond and gets next court date

A Peru man facing child pornography charges has come up with the cash needed to bond out.

Twenty-eight-year-old James Einhaus posted $5,000 bail. He was arrested at his house on 6th Street in Peru Friday morning after raid by members of the state police, Peru and Ottawa Police Departments, and Illinois Attorney General’s Office Children’s Task Force.

Einhaus is looking at two felony charges of possession of child pornography. His case is still being looked at for more potential charges.

Einhaus is due back in La Salle County Court October 14th.

More folks eligible to apply for heating assistance

With cooler temperatures around the corner, remember that there’s help available for heating your home.

If it’s a struggle to pay winter heating bills and you have children six years old or younger, you can now apply for heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP. To qualify, a single person must make $1,485 a month or less. A family of four is eligible if your income is below $3,038 a month.

Besides families with young children, senior citizens and people with disabilities can also now apply for LIHEAP funds. Everyone will be able to apply for help starting November 1st.

To apply, contact the Tri-County Opportunities Council by clicking LIHEAP funding available

Deadline arrives to apply for graduation at IVCC

It probably seems way too soon but Tuesday is the deadline to apply for graduation after the fall semester at Illinois Valley Community College.

Graduation forms are available in the IVCC registration office and on the college’s website. Applying for graduation is the only way to get your degree or certificate conferred.

Finals for fall semester start in a little over two months.

Fatal crash numbers slow down in the Illinois Valley

While the goal is no fatal crashes, things were quieter on La Salle County roads last month in comparison to the rest of the year.

There were no fatal wrecks last month in either Bureau or Putnam County while La Salle County had just two. Two people were killed in the La Salle County crashes.

For the year, 25 people have been killed in 20 crashes in La Salle. That’s compared to 13 fatal crashes all of last year. La Salle County has seen the eight most people killed in wrecks in all of Illinois this year.

Bureau County has had nine people killed in nine wrecks this year which is already more than last year. One person has died on Putnam County roads through September, the same as all of last year.

Preparations well underway for Burgoo Festival

It’s Burgoo week in the village of Utica.

The 47th annual Burgoo Festival is spread out over two days, this Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will feature a Canal Market, car show and live entertainment. Sunday is the big craft and antique vendor show along with servings of the famous burgoo stew. Of course it wouldn’t be a big Illinois Valley gathering without also having a 50/50 drawing.

Upwards of 50,000 people showed up last year to Burgoo. You can see the festival schedule by clicking 47th Annual Burgoo Festival