Two Teens Arrested, Third Wanted in Connection to Window Vandalism in Streator

If you live in Streator and have been worried about the possibility of vandalism, you may be able to rest a little easier.

The Streator Police Department has arrested a couple teens they think were behind windows being shot out last month with a BB gun. Both 18-year old Luke Grammer and 19-year old Logan Mann had their first appearances in court Friday.

Grammer faces 3 felony charges of criminal damage to property, while Mann was only charged with one. A warrant has also been issued for 19-year old Thomas Breese.

Grammer was able to come up with the $2,000 needed to be released from custody while Logan Mann remains in the LaSalle County Jail needing the same amount to get out. Streator police say that charges are pending on others who were involved with the vandalism.

Mackinaw Man in “Fair” Condition after being Thrown from Truck

A man who was thrown from his truck in a rough crash yesterday remains hospitalized.

The crash took place around 5:00 Monday afternoon on Route 89 near McNabb. According to the NewsTribune, 60-year old David Abbott of Mackinaw was going south in a FedEx truck when, police say, his car left the road for unknown reasons.

The Putnam County Sheriff and EMS units went to the scene, along with the McNabb Fire Department. Abbott would have to be taken by ambulance to the Lacon airport where he would eventually be flown to St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

As of this morning, Abbott was listed in “fair” condition

International Walk to School Day to Promote Benefits of Walking Wednesday

Does your child walk to school? If so, they’ll be among thousands taking part in an annual event Wednesday.

International Walk to School day is an opportunity each year for schools to promote the health and environmental benefits of walking to and from school. Last year, 129 schools held events statewide, and that number is up to 178 this year.

In the Illinois Valley, walking to school can be a little more challenging, and that is reflected in the number of schools participating. According to the group’s website, only Centennial Elementary School in Streator and Northwest Elementary School in La Salle have registered.

If your kids are planning to walk to school Wednesday, you’ll want to send them with an umbrella. The forecast currently calls for a 40% chance of showers, primarily in the morning.

State Police consolidation impacts La Salle headquarters

If you run into trouble on the interstate in the Illinois Valley, your call will now be answered in Sterling instead of La Salle.

The final phase of consolidating communications of District 17 into District 1 in Sterling was finished Monday. Reasons given for the consolidation include maximizing available resources and reducing the number of telecommunication consoles that need upgrades.

Despite the changes, there are still officers and staff at the District 17 office in La Salle.

Well known bus company expanding into Peru

A school bus company is bringing jobs to Peru.

Johannes Bus Service out of Rock Island has opened a location on Frontage Road north of Interstate 80. The opening brings with it five full-time jobs and 25 part-time jobs. They have 25 of their buses sitting at the Peru lot.

Johannes provides busing to schools in Putnam County, Ladd and DePue.

Dancing and singing in the street got an Oglesby man arrested

There is nothing wrong with dancing and singing, just don’t do it past four in the morning and in the middle of a road.

Oglesby Police got called to East Walnut Street Friday about a man dancing and singing in a drunken manner. Twenty-five-year-old Thomas Brown Jr. of Oglesby was arrested for disorderly conduct. After he allegedly yelled at and fought against the police he also was picked up for resisting arrest.

Brown Jr. was spared a trip to jail and given just a court date.

Peru gets long awaited state grant for splash pad

It took two years but Peru has finally received a state grant to help pay for a splash pad to be built on the old Washington School property.

The city received a check Friday for $128,000 from the state to go towards the million dollar splash pad project. J.A. Happ has also pledged $100,000 towards the water park.

Besides the water features, plans are to have shelters, a walking path, horseshoe pits, parking improvements and sand volleyball courts. The latest timeline is for construction to start next spring or summer and be ready to open during summer of 2018.

Student in Somonauk says she was approached for a ride by a stranger

There’s been another attempted child luring report in the Illinois Valley.

Somonauk Police got a call late yesterday afternoon about a student being approached by a stranger near James Wood Elementary School. A white man in his 50s with glasses and bald head allegedly asked the girl if she needed a ride. He was driving a small, silver SUV.

The girl says after she first said no, the driver said her backpack looked heavy and again offered her a ride. She again said no and asked him to leave which he did.

If you have any information you’re asked to call the Somonauk P.D. at 498-2351.