Class X felony charge for Mendota man accused of having cocaine

A lengthy investigation in Mendota has left a man facing a Class X Felony drug charge. Humberto Samano of Mendota is accused of having 165 grams of cocaine.

Officers with TRIDENT searched his home Monday. Samano was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver Cocaine. He’s being held in the La Salle County Jail with his bond set at $2 million.

Tickets issued following an accident in Mendota

Driving away from an accident, even a minor accident, could get you a couple of extra tickets. Mendota Police arrested Amanda Kirby at her home early Saturday morning after they say she left a crash at Lincoln Avenue and 16^th Street.

Kirby was ticketed for leaving the scene, improper lane usage, driving with a suspended license and not wearing a seatbelt.

Carriage rides to benefit holiday charity in Mendota

Would you like to go for a carriage ride? For a donation, you can take a horse drawn carriage ride through Mendota. The donations will go to Operation Elf, a program that’s been collecting toys for children.

The rides are available Thursday through Saturday from 5:30-8pm. They leave from the parking lot across from Waterfalls Casual Dining.

New name chosen for Mendota hospital

Experiencing a medical emergency in Mendota? Soon you’ll be taken to the St. Paul Medical Center. That will be the new name of Mendota Community Hospital once the takeover by OSF Healthcare System is complete.

The MCH Board of Directors chose the new name last week. The hospitals announced in May that the process of merging had begun.

The new name will become effective sometime in the spring of 2015 when a blessing and dedication ceremony will take place.

Donations needed for Mendota area toy drive

Christmas is about more than presents but when you’re a kid, having something to open on Christmas morning means a lot. A toy drive in Mendota will be accepting presents until Friday, December 12.  The effort is called Operation Elf Action.

You can select a child’s name by visiting First State Bank, Financial Plus Credit Union, Midland States Bank in Mendota or Gehant Bank in West Brooklyn. You can leave your gifts at First Federal Savings Bank in Mendota.

You can take your children to meet Santa and Mrs. Clause Saturday from 12pm-2pm at First State Bank in Mendota.

Driver taken to a local hospital following I-39 semi crash

A driver was injured after two semis crashed on Interstate 39,  It happened just after 10:30am Monday north of Mendota.

State Police say Eva Davis of Glasford was heading south on when her truck and trailer went through the median and into the northbound lanes, hitting an oncoming semi.

Both trucks and their trailers ended up in the ditch. Davis wasn’t hurt but was ticketed for improper lane usage.  A 61-year-old St. Louis woman driving the other truck was taken to a local hospital. Her name and condition were not been made available.  The crash was being investigated by the Illinois State Police Crash Reconstructionists.

Mendota man killed during pickup truck crash

A crash early Wednesday morning outside of Troy Grove killed a man from Mendota.

36-year-old Lance Musgrove was heading north on Interstate 39 around 2:42am when investigators say he lost control of his pickup truck. His truck rolled several times before stopping in a ditch. Musgrove was dead at the scene.

The Illinois State Police and the La Salle County Coroner’s office are investigating.

Mendota alderman resigns

Will you stay put once you retire? An alderman in Mendota is leaving the city council to move out of state. Paul Norris Monday night announced his resignation according to the NewsTribune. He recently retired.

His last day in office is November 30. He is recommending that Audrey McConville be appointed to his seat.

 

OSF Healthcare Systems closer to taking over Mendota hospital

Mendota Community Hospital is another step closer to being sold to OSF Healthcare System.  Hospital officials announced Wednesday that the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board approved the Certificate of Exemption for the sale.

The hospitals announced in May that the process of merging had begun. An affiliation agreement was signed in October. MCH officials want to have the process completed next spring.

 

Plenty of chances to take in Veteran’s Day ceremonies

You can remember and thank a United States Veteran for their service at a Veteran’s Day service.  Ceremonies are being held throughout the Illinois Valley.

In Peru, the traditional service will by the Peru Veterans Memorial Group will be at 11am Tuesday inside of Washington School.  Normally the ceremony is held outside but it is being held inside this year due to the weather.

Ottawa and Streator’s Veteran’s Day ceremonies starts at 10:45am Tuesday. Veterans in Ottawa will gather at Washington Square and in Streator at City Park.  Mendota will also have a Veteran’s Day ceremony at 11am Tuesday in Veteran’s Park.

Military veterans will join students and teachers Tuesday during LP High School’s second annual Veteran’s Day program.

The program begins at 10am in Sellett Gymnasium. If you are a veteran and would like to attend, call the high school principal’s office to have a seat saved.