Man arrested after alleged drinking party

Allowing underage drinkers at your home can get you arrested.  La Salle County Sheriff’s Deputies say they busted a large underage drinking party early Saturday morning.  Deputies say some of the people ran and others were caught.

Keith Bossen of rural Mendota was given several tickets including contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and allowing a minor to become intoxicated.

Mendota man accused of sexual assault

An investigation into a reported sexual assault in Peru has a man from Mendota facing charges. 18-year-old Juan Cantu was arrested Monday morning on a La Salle County warrant for two counts of criminal sexual assault.

The investigation involved the Peru and Mendota Police Departments. Cantu was taken to the La Salle County Jail with his bond set at $250,000.

Peru woman accused of pinning a man against a barn with her car

There are a lot of things to use as weapons. A woman from Peru is accused of using her vehicle.

La Salle County deputies were called out for a disturbance Friday morning to a house in rural Mendota. Allysa Haupt was arrested for aggravated battery after she allegedly hit a man with her vehicle and pinned him up against a pole barn. She drove away but was later arrested and taken to the La Salle County Jail.

The victim was taken to Mendota Community Hospital.

Mendota man seriously injured by a train

A man was seriously injured after being hit by a train in Mendota.  The collision was reported by BNSF Railroad shortly before 1am Wednesday. Investigators say the train consisted of several train engines and no train cars.

Police say the man from Mendota was on the tracks near the Sixth Street crossing when he was hit. He was flown to St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford and was in critical condition. His name hasn’t been made public.

Mendota Community Hospital officials continue process to join OSF

A hospital in Mendota is a step closer to becoming part of the OSF Healthcare System. Officials with Mendota Community Hospital and OSF have signed an affiliation agreement.

The hospitals announced in May that they had started the process of merging.

Margo Gallagher Schmitz, President of Mendota Community Hospital’s Board of Directors, says integrating into the OSF Healthcare System will allow MCH to better serve the community.

She says you’ll get greater access to integrated primary, secondary, and advanced health care services.

MCH officials want to have the process completed next spring. The affiliation needs the approval of the Illinois Health Facilities & Services Review Board.

Sign thief or thieves running around in Mendota

Have you noticed any street signs missing in Mendota?  According to the NewsTribune, Police Chief Tom Smith says there has recently been a rash of sign thefts. He says only a few street and traffic signs that have gone missing have been found.

Smith is asking you to remain alert and call the police department if you have information about the sign thefts or see anything suspicious.

Mendota man accused of acting violently

Things were out of hand at an apartment in Mendota. Shawn Gallagher was arrested just after 12am Monday after the police were called to his apartment for a man acting violently.

Gallagher is accused of domestic battery, endangering the life or health of a child, resisting a peace officer and aggravated battery to a police officer. He was being held at the La Salle County Jail.

Mendota police asking for help in finding stolen ATV’s

If you happen to notice three fairly new looking John Deere Gators parked in your neighbor’s yard, start asking questions or just call Mendota Crime Stoppers.

One used and two new Gator ATV’s were stolen from Holland and Sons John Deere in Mendota at approximately 10pm Wednesday.  If you know anything about who stole them, call Mendota Crime Stoppers at (815) 538-7777. A tip that leads to an arrest could earn you up to $1,000.

Sweet Corn Festival is back in Mendota

Start boiling the water- the 67th Annual Mendota Sweet Corn Festival begins Thursday.

The carnival and around 80 vendors open up in downtown Mendota at 6pm. Friday the carnival opens at 12pm with the beer garden opening in the evening. The Sweet Corn Festival queen will be crowned Friday night as well.

The weekend schedule at the Sweet Corn Festival includes a “Cornapalooza” Run/Walk, bags tournament, and flea market. The grand parade is at 1pm Sunday.

Ophir Grade School to hold a reunion

46 years covers a lot of grade school graduates of the old Ophir Grade School in Triumph.  If you were a graduate of Ophir, you’re invited to a reunion at 5:30pm, August 23 at the Mendota Moose Lodge.

Former staff are invited as well. A church service in Triumph Church the next day is also planned.  Invitations have been sent out, but,  if you were missed, call 895-8706.