ISP Seizes Almost 300lb of Marijuana
posted by Brent Brown, 2/22/12
In two-days last week Illinois State Police seized almost 300 pounds of marijuana during traffic stops on I-80. State Police allegedly discovered 16 and a half pounds of marijuana in the vehicle of 41 year old Kenneth Wayne Brown, of Michigan, on Friday afternoon near the Bureau- LaSalle County line. The next night near Marseilles, troopers allegedly discovered just over 276 pounds of marijuana in the motorhome of 19 year old Mitchel R. Ledbetter of Arizona. Ledbetter is being held on a 150-thousand bond, while Brown has posted bond.
Home Invasion/Shooting UPDATE 2
posted by David Kuharski, 2/22/12
Authorities have identified a man shot during an alleged home invasion over the weekend south of Earlville. The LaSalle County Coroner’s Office says Raymond Maldonado was pronounced dead at Mendota Community Hospital. According to investigators, the 22 year-old along with 24 year-old Marcus Samarripa (Sam-uh-rip-uh), both of Turlock, California, forced their way into the house where they were confronted by the homeowner Joel Contreras, who was armed. During the confrontation authorities say Contreras shot Maldonado, who was also armed, hitting him twice. Samarripa allegedly fled the scene but was caught later by Ottawa police. At last check, he was in custody at the LaSalle County Jail, held on a one-million dollar bond. Sheriff Tom Templeton wouldn’t elaborate on a possible motive for the break-in. Meanwhile, the 47 year-old Contreras remains held on a 100-thousand dollar bond after investigators say he was growing marijuana plants in his basement.
Dwight Prison Could Close
posted by TJ Carson, 2/22/12
Just like four years ago, the governor of Illinois has targeted a Livingston County prison for closure in a cost-saving measure. Governor Pat Quinn announced yesterday that the Dwight Correctional Center may be up for closure, similar to when the Pontiac Correctional Center was announced for closure in 2008 by then-Governor Rod Blagojevich. State Senator Shane Cultra says a closure could have negative effects on Livingston County and the surrounding area.
click here for audio
Cultra also questioned the decision to close the prison without a plan for where to locate the prisoners.
Westclox Rekindles
posted by Brent Brown, 2/22/12
Firefighters spent about an hour on the scene at Westclox Monday afternoon dealing with smoke rising from debris. The Peru Fire Department says the burnt carpeting and nylon in the southwest corner of the facility formed a hard crust, but underneath it was still smoldering, and over time embers melted through, got oxygen and flared up again. The Fire Department says the hope is to get a high-hoe out to the site to scrap off that layer of crust, and that there is a chance it may start to smolder again. This is the second flare up at the site since initial blaze on New Year’s.
Structure Fire at Granville Business
posted by Brent Brown, 2/22/12
An investigation continues into a structure fire late Sunday night in Putnam County. The Standard Fire Department reports they received a call, just after 11:30, of smoking coming from the shop at Mid-American Growers in Granville. Damaged by the fire were several small tractors and golf-carts, and no dollar estimate is available at this time. Authorities say the fire was confined to the shop, and indications are the fire began there in a lawn-tractor. Fire crews cleared the scene just before one Monday morning, and while the building itself was damaged, the shop structure itself is intact.
SES Deficit Plan
posted by TJ Carson, 2/22/12
Guidelines for how Streator Elementary can reduce its deficit were approved by the school board last night. The plan originally called for reductions of around $765,197, but the bored amended it to keep two elementary art teacher positions at a cost of $143,994. Assistant Superintendent Matt Wilkinson says the district plans on using reserves to pay for the positions. He says the district used a potential 'worse case scenario' in coming up with the plan.
click here for audio
Wilkinson says the district was owed around $1.2 million by the state last year, and adds that the district has a general idea of what to expect in terms of funding, after 4-5 years of experience.
Woodland Meeting
posted by Colin McIntyre, 2/22/12
Woodland School is on track with their budgets for fiscal year 2012. Superintendent Dr. Steve Endress said at last night’s board meeting that the school has spent 57% of their budget and is on track to be near or under budget. Endress did note that the state still owes the school $215,000, but it shouldn't be that much of an issue.
click here for audio
Endress says the bulk of school’s revenue comes from local property taxes.
Early Voting
posted by TJ Carson, 2/22/12
Voters who can not wait a month to make their primary selections can begin to do so next week. Early voting scheduled to begin on Monday, February 27th. County Clerk JoAnn Carretto says early voters do not need a reason to vote.
click here for audio
Early voting is scheduled to end March 15th.
State Farm Furniture Donations
posted by Brent Brown, 2/22/12
A local school district is thanking an area business for their recent furniture donation worth in excess of 20-thousand dollars. Mendota District 280 Superintendent Jeff Prusator says Kurt Bruno of State Farm once again worked with his office to the provide the high school high quality office furniture like cabinets, desks, and chairs…
click here for audio
Superintendent Prusator says Mr. Bruno was able to provide the District a similar donation ten years ago.
Center to Close
posted by David Kuharski, 2/22/12
I-V-C-C is planning to close its Early Childhood Education Center at the end of the spring semester. The college’s board of trustees discussed the center’s future last night. This summer workers will raze the center to make way for the Community Technology Center. Initially the LaSalle Elementary School district made Jackson school available to the college as a temporary location. But only three of eighteen parents surveyed last month said they’d be willing to use the site. The board is expected to formally vote on the move at their March meeting.
Blood Supplies
posted by Colin McIntyre, 2/22/12
With Blood donations low during the winter months, the Red Cross of the Heartland continues to hold blood drives to catch up. Red Cross spokesman Ben Cory says trends have shown in the past that blood supplies run low during the winter.
click here for audio
To help combat decline in donations, the Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at St Mary’s Hospital in Streator next Monday from 11am to 4pm.
