Streator churches to participate in organ music festival

The 16^th Annual “Pipe Dreams” organ festival returns to Streator this weekend. Organists from five churches will perform Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday’s schedule includes performances in Park Presbyterian Church at 1pm, at Holy Trinity Lutheran at 2pm, and at First United Methodist Church at 3pm. Sunday’s schedule includes performances at Christ Episcopal Church at 2pm and at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran at 3pm.

Admission is free but donations are accepted on behalf of the Streator Grade School chorus and band programs. Pipe Dreams started as a fundraiser for the Streator Red Cross Board.

Streator man accused of indecent solicitation of a child

While many of the people being held in the La Salle County Jail face drug related charges, there are exceptions.

Stephen Heinzeroth of Streator was indicted Tuesday for two counts of indecent solicitation of a child. He’s being held with his bond set at $50,000.

Retired Streator man finds inspiration for a book on the playground

Your retirement is the end of your career, but it can lead to a new beginning or a book. Not long after Rod Rathbun of Streator retired he began wondering if he had retired too soon. When his wife, an employee of St. Michael School in Streator, suggested he become the playground supervisor he was skeptical but took the job.

After one day he was in love with his new job and the students.  Rathbun says he found them hilarious and couldn’t stop talking about them.   His wife suggested that he start writing down the stories from work.  He did.

Rathbun says he would come home from work and write about his experience that day. Those stories combined with tales from his childhood and his grandchildren became the book, “Hey Mister, Can You Tie My Shoes?”

It’s Rathbun’s first book so he was surprised it was accepted by Tate Publishing. He says many of the teachers and parents at St. Michael’s have read it and find it hilarious.  He doesn’t think he’ll write a second book but he’s kept his job as the playground supervisor.

You can learn more about his book and how you can buy it by visiting the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.  The book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and the Tate Publishing bookstore.

Streator Robbery suspect being sought

A blue eyed man in a camo coat. That’s how Streator police describe a man who robbed Streator Community Credit Union at 302 North Park Saturday morning. In their release, Streator police said an employee reported the robbery about 9am and said the suspect fled on foot. A search of the area by police found nothing.  Police said the crook’s face was concealed except for his eyes when he approached a teller demanding money. No weapon was mentioned or displayed, however, the employee handed over an unknown amount of money.

If you have any information regarding the incident, you’re asked to call Streator Police. The Sheriff’s office and the FBI have joined the investigation.

Streator dedicates 2015 to Pluto and its discoverer

What does 2015 mean to you? For Streator, 2015 is the Year of Pluto and Clyde Tombaugh. NASA’s New Horizons Pluto Mission will pass by the dwarf planet on July 14. The spacecraft contains some of Tombaugh’s ashes.

Tombaugh was born in Streator and discovered Pluto while working at the Lowell Observatory in 1930 and that makes him worth remembering, according to Ed Brozak with Streator Tourism.  Brozak says there will be guest speakers and a live linkup with NASA to receive firsthand information as New Horizons passes by Pluto. There will also be an observation night with telescopes, a night golf outing, parade, and Pluto polka party.  The events will start with the Fourth of July.

You can learn more about Streator’s plans by listening to an interview that’s available at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

Investigation continues into Streator shooting

A shooting victim in Streator is expected to survive a gunshot wound to his leg.  La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says the man from Champaign was last listed in stable condition. He was shot once Sunday morning and loss a lot of blood.

Towne says the shooting happened after a party in a different part of town.  A nearby car was hit by nine bullets.

Towne says no one has been arrested for the actually shooting and they’re looking for multiple people. Three women were arrested for allegedly obstructing police.

The investigation continues with the state’s attorney’s office, Streator Police and Illinois State Police.

Bus service begins to bring Streator students to IVCC

It’s gotten easier for people in Streator to take courses at Illinois Valley Community College.

A bus route going from St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator to IVCC’s Oglesby campus begun running Monday. IVCC President Jerry Corcoran says they want to make it easier for people in Streator to get their GED and offering a ride to campus is a way to do that.

The bus is an NCAT bus, the same service that provides rides in other parts of La Salle County. A one-way ride is four dollars. You can also buy 10 rides for $30. Passes are on sale in Streator and on campus.

Learn more about service by listening to an interview that’s available at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

One man flown to Peoria after early morning shooting in Streator

A shooting on the southwest side of Streator led to three arrests and a gunshot victim flown to Peoria.

Investigators say they were called about shots being fired near 9th and Center Streets just after 3am Sunday. When they arrived, a group of people led them on a chase in their car and then on foot.

After interviewing several people, November Rhodes, Meghan Flanery and Devonta Hunter were arrested. Rhodes was taken to jail for obstructing a peace officer while Flanery and Hunter were taken to jail for obstruction of justice.

All have Streator addresses although police say people involved in the shooting are not originally from Streator.
One man was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital before being flown to Peoria. His name hasn’t been released.

The investigation continues with Streator Police, Illinois State Police and the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Streator getting new representative on the La Salle County Board

Medical issues have Mike Sheridan stepping aside during his first term on the La Salle County Board.

The Republican turned in his resignation last week to Board Chairman Jerry Hicks. He represented the 25th district covering Streator.

Hicks on Thursday plans to suggest former longtime board member Jerry Myers fill out the remaining two years of Sheridan’s term. After ten years on the board, Myers chose not to run for re-election when his last term ended.

First baby of the year for IVCH is a boy

Baby New Year arrived Friay at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru. Ethan Thomas Van Houten was born just at 8:01am. His parents are Abigail and Nathaniel Van Houten of Streator.

He has a five-year-old sister waiting to greet him when he goes home.