Local Headlines

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — A military-chartered jet carrying 143 people landed hard, then bounced and swerved as the pilot struggled to control it amid thunder and lightning, ultimately skidding off the runway and coming to a crashing halt in a river at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. It meant

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — An explosion and fire at an Illinois silicone factory claimed a second victim Saturday when an employee taken to a hospital after the blast died, a local coroner confirmed, and the official death toll is expected to rise to four as authorities suspended the search for two

SHERIDAN – It has been five days since a 74-year-old Sandwich woman has been reported missing, and besides her vehicle, which was found near Sheridan, there has been no sign of her. Authorities discovered Linda Jackson’s car on North 4251st Road in LaSalle County early Monday Morning,

MENDOTA- The parking lot of the Mendota Civic Center was filled with families on bicycles on Saturday as they participated in the annual Bike Rodeo with the Mendota Police Department.   A cone course was laid out with various traffic signs cyclists would encounter in the community.  

PERU – 52 Illinois Valley Community Hospital employees were honored at the an annual service awards dinner, Thursday. The 45-year Honorees were Carol Myer of LaSalle, a nurse at the IVCH Peru Medical Clinic,. Nancy Postula of Utica with the IVCH ENT and Allergy Center, and Deb Redd of

PERU – Water is expected to recede in parts of Peru after the crest of the Illinois River, Friday. According to Mayor Scott Harl, as of 9:00 a.m. this morning, the crest was at 32 feet, and is expected to recede. Harl says constructing a wall to protect the water treatment plant cost the

WOODSTOCK, Ill. (AP) — A judge has appointed a special public defender to represent an Illinois man charged in the death of his 5-year-old son. Special Public Defender Henry Sugden was appointed Friday to the case of 60-year-old Andrew Freund Sr. of Crystal Lake. He is charged along with JoAnn

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois State Police have arrested state Rep. Steven Reick on charges that include driving under the influence of alcohol. The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that records show the Woodstock Republican was arrested Wednesday. Reick issued a statement

PERU – Businesses along Water Street in Peru have had to prepare for many floods over the last dozen years, and they knew what to expect as the Illinois River crested early Friday morning. The city of Peru was also keeping a watchful eye on utilities as well. Peru Fire Chief Jeff King said

UTICA – A voluntary evacuation yesterday in parts of the village of Utica ahead of the crest of the Illinois River had few seeking higher ground, this as the river rose to what may end up being the fourth major flood in a dozen years. The river rose to 14 foot above flood stage, coming