Ancona, IL

Hegeler Park in La Salle was allegedly the site of a drug deal that led to an arrest. According to a member of the Tri-DENT task force, undercover informants on Tuesday bought crack cocaine from 45-year-old Richard Stachowiak of Spring Valley. He appeared in front of a judge in Ottawa Wednesday and was formally charged with the Class 2 felony.

Park benches took up a lot of space in the meeting of the Pontiac City Council Tuesday at the Eagle Theater. Parks and Recreation Director Taylor Baxter gave a report on what was being planned and, during Public Comments, a resident posed questions regarding the benches. In his report, Baxter...

An alleged cocaine dealer in La Salle spent her holiday weekend behind bars. Thirty-eight-year-old Danielle Pyszka is charged with a felony of dealing cocaine. She was in an Ottawa courtroom late last week after being booked on a warrant. Pyszka allegedly sold cocaine to a member of the Tri-DENT task force back in April.

Another scam is making the rounds. La Salle State Bank put out an alert Wednesday saying their customers are being contacted via phone and by text by someone impersonating a bank employee. The scammer is attempting to obtain sensitive customer information which may include account and password details. The spoofing call lists La Salle State Bank's real phone number.

A new ice maker is needed at one Peru hotel. Fire departments responded to the La Quinta Inn in Peru Tuesday afternoon after a fire alarm was triggered. An ice maker on the 2nd floor malfunctioned, sending out some smoke but no flames. Firefighters unplugged the machine and let it cool off advising folks at the hotel to not use the smoking ice maker anymore.

An arrest has been made in a fraud case that turned into a chase in Peru. Late Friday afternoon, officers were told that several people tried to pass counterfeit $100 bills at the CVS Pharmacy. A high-speed pursuit ensued before the suspect's black SUV crashed into a tree behind the Fairfield Inn in Peru.

During Monday afternoon's severe storms, a fire broke out at a popular resort in Starved Rock Country. According to the Ottawa Fire Department, lightning struck a house at the Heritage Harbor Marina. It started a brief fire in the home's attic. Nobody was home at the time so neighbors called for help.

CHENOA — Usually an upbeat and positive person on his birthday, State Rep. Dan Brady was a bit subdued when he spoke with the Daily Leader prior to walking in the Fourth of July parade in Chenoa Monday. The reason was obvious: there was a shooting in the north...

A crash east of Troy Grove is being blamed on a drunken driver. Early Friday morning, deputies say 25-year-old Adam Ruiz of Chicago blew a stop sign and crashed his vehicle into one driven by 55-year-old Juan Medellin of La Salle. The wreck happened on Route 52. Ruiz was taken...

PERU – The city of Peru is working to create a memorial in honor of a Peru school teacher. City officials discussed the request from family and friends of Willa Dellinger to create a memorial dedicating her efforts to celebrate Maud Powell, a Peru-native musician. At Tuesday night’s council meeting, officials discussed placing a plaque or bench in the area of the city’s historical marker, at the Fourth Street courtyard in the downtown area. Dellinger’s story of introducing Maud Powell to young children is posted on maudepowell.org. In her story, she says her mission was to awaken young people to the legacy of Powell. Dellinger passed in June of 2021. Powell is known as America’s first great master violinist, gaining international acclaim.

PONTIAC, Ill. (WMBD) — As communities clean up fireworks following the Fourth of July; some central Illinois communities are picking up following strong thunderstorms Monday night. Despite the hot and muggy weather Tuesday, Pontiac Public Works crews continue to clear Chautauqua Park. Many large trees were uprooted within the...

Dr. Parsons reports the advent of a nice little daughter to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Murtaugh, near Chatsworth. The many friends of Edward Blair, formerly of this city, will be surprised to learn of his marriage to Miss Lena E. Williams at Saunemin last Sunday evening. Miss...

The La Salle County Grand Jury returned a number of indictments on Tuesday. Among them is 33-year-old Tabitha Gillette of Naplate. She's facing two charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. In this case, Gillette had allegedly sold the drugs to TRIDENT task force members in April and May. She's in jail on a million dollars' bond.

Thomas J. Scullans, age 63, of Streator, IL passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022. He was born on October 21, 1958 in Streator, IL the son of James and Marilyn (Micklos) Scullans, both deceased. He is survived by his son, John Scullans (fiancée Amber and son Noah) of Streator,...

A title search was done if you purchased a house in Fairbury before about 1968. This title search verified and tracked the ownership of the land from the time it was initially purchased from the federal government until the date of the house sale. The new owner received a copy of this "Abstract of Title." This document was often 40 to 50 pages long because all legal documents related to the land the house was built on were included in the abstract. Because these abstracts became cumbersome to manage, they were discontinued around 1968.

EL PASO (Heart of Illinois ABC) - War-ravaged Ukraine has received a potentially life-saving shipment from Woodford County. The El Paso Emergency Squad posted on its Facebook page that the former El Paso EMS ambulance was delivered and crossed the border into Ukraine. The ambulance has more than 200,000 miles...

FAIRBURY — A change of plans worked out for Ryan Unzicker Saturday night as the speedster from El Paso scored a win in the late model feature at Fairbury Speedway. Following a weekend off due to rain, the Fairbury Speedway celebrated Independence Day with a FALS Cup/Alkota weekly program, presented by Knapp Kitchens and CK Power. Besides Unzicker, Michael Ledford (modified), Tommy Duncan (CR Towing Sportsman), Megan Erwin (stock car), Brian Deavers (hobby-modified) and Gavyn Parmele (KidModz) crossed the finish line first in their respective classes.