Crash Involving Motorcycle in Morris Kills Coal City Man

A Coal City man was killed in a crash on his motorcycle Sunday afternoon.

According to Grundy County Coroner John Callahan, 51-year old Daniel Ruffatto was going north on Jugtown Road in Morris shortly after 2:00. A van heading south was turning left onto Deerfield Road and hit Ruffatto.

He was thrown from his motorcycle. The coroner pronounced him dead at the scene less than an hour later.

The coroner claims Ruffatto was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Both the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office are still investigating the crash.

The crash marks the seventh death in 6 accidents on Grundy County roads in 2016.

Streator Men Arrested After Weekend Incidents

Two Streator men found themselves on the wrong side of the law after a couple dust-ups over the weekend.

Streator Police arrested 28-year old Damon Cook following a traffic stop at the intersection of Baker and First Streets. The stop took place shortly after 4 yesterday afternoon. He was arrested for resisting a peace officer.

Back on Friday, police were called to a Pratt Street home about an alleged domestic disturbance. There, 34-year old Paul Jacobus would be arrested for domestic battery.

Jacobus was taken to the LaSalle County Jail. Cook was sent on his way with a notice to appear in court.

“Food For Fines” Program Enters Final Days for 2016

If you have an overdue library book, you’re running out of time to take advantage of an annual program.

The “Food for Fines” program at a number of libraries in the Illinois Valley ends Wednesday. For every dollar your book is overdue, you can donate a canned or boxed non-perishable food item at the circulation desk, up to a maximum of $25.

All of the food donated will be given to area food pantries. Libraries participating in “Food for Fines” include the Graves-Hume Public Library, Jacobs Library at IVCC, the LaSalle, Oglesby, Peru, Princeton, and Putnam County Libraries, along with the Mautino Memorial Public Library.

Illinois Valley Food Pantry Taking Donations, Registration for their Thanksgiving Distribution

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry’s big distribution will help nearly 2,000 people in the Illinois Valley.

The pantry’s Thanksgiving distribution is Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00. Volunteers will be packing food for more than 675 families. They’ll also be making deliveries to elderly people in LaSalle, Peru, and Oglesby on Monday.

If you’d like to donate food you can take it to the pantry at 136 Marquette Street in LaSalle from 9 to noon on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and between 11:00 and 6:00 on Wednesday.

To be eligible for the food order, you must be registered with the food pantry, and the deadline to sign up is this Wednesday.

Chicago Teen Allegedly Steals Car in Spring Valley, Crashes in Minooka

You know leaving your car running while you run into the gas station is a risky decision. What you may not know is that it could be dangerous for others.

That situation led to a scary situation over the weekend. Saturday night a BMW was left running at a Spring Valley gas station while its owner, also from Spring Valley, ran inside for gas.

A teen boy from Chicago allegedly stole the car and took off on Interstate 80 East at a high rate of speed. According to State Troopers, the vehicle was later involved in a crash along I-80 near Minooka.

The driver of the stolen car was ejected from the vehicle. He would have to be taken to Morris Hospital before being flown to Loyola Medical Center. He wasn’t identified as he’s under the age of 18.

The suspect was allegedly traveling with a silver Chevy, which is reportedly stolen out of Hammond, Indiana. Police have not been able to find that car, and haven’t identified the two men believed to be in that car.

Spring Valley Latest City to “Decriminalize” Small Amounts of Pot

Following a move the state made earlier this summer, an Illinois Valley city has decriminalized small amounts of marijuana.

According to the NewsTribune, Spring Valley’s City Council approved an ordinance that makes possession of less than 10 grams of pot a civil, instead of criminal, violation. The measure also extends to drug paraphernalia as well.

Governor Bruce Rauner signed off on legislation that does the same thing on the state level back in June. It made Illinois the 17^th state to do so.

The move had bipartisan disapproval from valley representation, though. Both State Senator Sue Rezin and Representative Andy Skoog voted against that bill in the General Assembly.

Community College Increases Levy, but You’ll Pay Less in Taxes

Illinois Valley Community College gave approval to their tentative tax levy, and you can expect the part of your tax bill that goes to them to drop.

The college’s board approved the $11.6 million levy last week. It’s a 2.5 percent increase from the 2015 tax extension. Despite the increase, it will still impact your tax bill less.

The reason for the drop is because the bond for the Community Technology Center will be paid off next month. For every $100,000 your home is valued at, the part of your tax bill that goes to IVCC will go down by about $2.50.

Friday Crash Sends Two to Hospital Near Seneca

A Minooka woman and her passengers were treated for injuries after a crash near Seneca.

LaSalle County Deputies were called to the two-vehicle crash Friday afternoon. According to police, 26-year old Paige Mason was going north on East 2603^rd road when she stopped at the intersection with Route 52.

When she started through the intersection, she was hit by 58-year old Mark Stratemeyer from Rockford. Stratemeyer and 2 of Mason’s passengers would be treated at the scene.

Mason and one of her passengers, however, would have to be taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa. She was also ticketed for failing to yield.