So the judges came up with a solution. The SAFE-T Act gives judges the right to hand down 30-day sanctions – that is, jail sentences for violations of release– so why not hand down 30 days for each violation?

A drug suspect who was slapped with 90 days for multiple violations -- nearly 300 of them -- appealed and won. An appeals court rejected the idea of multiple sanctions, but that ruling appears ripe for review.

Wednesday, the Third District Appellate Court handed down a ruling that effectively caps jail time for pre-trial violations at 30 days – even when a defendant has broken multiple conditions of pre-trial release.

And in a head-snapping turn of events Thursday, the appellate court agreed to stay the order (or mandate, in legal parlance) while appellate prosecutors seek a rehearing or ticket the issue for the Supreme Court.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said he disagrees with Wednesday’s ruling and thinks Matthews didn’t deserve any relief.

“This particular individual had 290 violations,” Navarro said. “That is a classic example of the SAFE-T Act and its stupidity: that he can only serve 30 days for 290 violations.

“In the past, he’d have been held in contempt, held in jail, or had his bond revoked.”

The case might not be finished, but round 1 went in favor of Robert Matthews of Streator, who has a pending meth case. Matthews racked up 290 pre-trial violations, according to court records, and was punished with a trio of 30-day sanctions.

On appeal, Matthews argued the SAFE-T Act didn’t give judges authority to impose multiple 30-day sanctions. Three appellate justices agreed with him.

“The statute states that sanctions for violations may include imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 30 days,” Justice Linda Davenport wrote in a unanimous opinion. “Thus, it plainly authorizes one 30-day period, even when the state has proved multiple violations.”

Matthews’ lawyer, La Salle County Public Defender Ryan Hamer, said Thursday he is “very pleased” with the ruling. Hamer said there are aspects of the SAFE-T Act “that may not be very popular, but we have to ensure the law is applied as the Legislature intended.”

Because of the kindness and support of donors, sponsors, volunteers and guests, St. Bede raised more than $215,000 for its Fund-A-Need Kitchen Modernization project – an important investment in the heath, safety and daily experience of students and staff.

Guests enjoyed a fun evening in the academy’s Perino Science Center. Attendees were welcomed with champagne and enjoyed new features such as the spritz bar, interactive games, spirited bidding opportunities and an atmosphere filled with excitement and community spirit.

Some of the most popular auction packages were the Rich Harvest Farms golf experience, La Dolce Vita: An Italian wine and culinary adventure to Tuscany, which sold 16 times, the Sonoma wine country experience, which sold four times, and Fr. Dominic’s Pizza Party, which sold twice.

“The success of this year’s auction shows how much people care about St. Bede,” said Bonnie Prokup, auction manager. “The support we received will help our students for years to come and help St. Bede remain a safe and welcoming place to learn.”

St. Bede thanks everyone who helped make the auction a success through donations, sponsorships, volunteering, attending and bidding.

More fundraising results and updates about the Kitchen Modernization project will be shared in the coming months.

Although Lone Tree School closed in 1942, Wheatland Township has maintained the structure in fine style right into the 21st century, using it as township meeting hall.

The program will be held at the old schoolhouse, eight miles almost directly south of the village (19292 250 North Avenue, Tiskilwa). It will feature lively reminiscences of school days, shared by descendants of Lone Tree students Ruby Downey Stacker and Willis Anderson, a bit of history on the name and uses of the building, and a couple of surprises.

In 2004, Lone Tree earned prestigious recognition on the National Register of Historic Places, thanks to the efforts of Dorothy and Francis Ary who lived across the road from the building. The schoolroom offers a peek into the past, back when most rural children of the Tiskilwa community attended one of the 15 country schools in the surrounding area.

Following the indoor program, treats and soft drinks will be served on the south lawn under a tent. Audience members are encouraged to stay and visit and to bring lawn chairs. Historical Society programs are free of charge and open to the public.

A special display of enlarged photographs of the schoolhouse by Mike Vaughn and Dave Horst, as well as several other notable artifacts, will line the walls. After June 14, visitors to Museum on Main can view the photos in the Timeline Hallway, along with a showcase full of Lone Tree memorabilia.

All programs are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, contact the Putnam County Public Library District at 815-339-2038 or visit the McNabb Branch at 322 W. Main St.

This family event is designed to provide fishing lessons with hands-on experience. The program includes free bait, tackle and instruction.

Families will also learn about river fishing tactics, Illinois river fish species and ethical angling practices.

Registration is required for this event and those interested in registering can email lisa.sons@illinois.gov by June 24. Space is limited.

There will be food, music, vendors, and a $1,000 early bird drawing for the Burgoo 50/50.

Registration is $10. Register at Church and Division streets. The first 100 cars get a dash plaque.

All proceeds benefit the Utica Fire Department.

A line of storms was forecast to push through most of central and northern Illinois, and the forecast was borne out as 6 p.m. approached.

Early reports of fatalities turned out to be incorrect, and La Salle County EMA Director Fred Moore said there were no confirmed deaths at about 6:10 p.m.

La Salle County Sheriff Adam Diss said East 19th Road was blocked off due to a gas leak and that multiple houses were damaged by the storm. He reported one injury, but it was not life-threatening.

While conditions were tame across northern and central La Salle County, the Leonore area was peppered with hail and a rotating cloud was spotted moving east toward Streator.

Putnam County appeared little affected by the first round of storms. Putnam County Sheriff Josh Boedigheimer reported “a little hail” by the southeast edge of the county, though the tornado missed the county.

The National Weather Service office in Lincoln issued a “tornado emergency” across Marshall County. The alert urged residents in Varna, Toluca and Wenona to take cover.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Darby Mix of OSF HealthCare will discuss “Dementia-friendly towns” and how this designation can help loved ones.

Callejas Aguilar, 25, of Addison, was picked up Tuesday on a La Salle County warrant charging him with four felonies stemming from an Aug. 29 crash near Sheridan that injured two motorcycle riders. He could face up to 19 years in prison.

Callejas Aguilar appeared Wednesday in La Salle County Circuit Court, where he advised Judge James A. Andreoni he wants to confer with a private attorney before his detention hearing, now scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday.

The outcome would be precedent-setting. La Salle County prosecutors successfully argued for holding the suspect in a fatal DUI, but there has been no test case for detaining a suspect in a non-fatal DUI.

Though no one died, the injuries were serious. One rider underwent a “lower extremity” amputation and another is confined to a wheelchair.

According to a new court filing, Callejas Aguilar fled the crash scene on North 42^nd Road and was found a short distance away in a ditch behind the wheel of a Ford Equinox. The vehicle had sustained front-end damage consistent with a crash.

Callejas Aguilar was taken to a nearby hospital but was uncooperative, court records show. Ultimately, he provided a blood sample that showed a blood-alcohol concentration of .239, nearly three times the legal limit, according to records.

His potential sentencing range is complicated. He is charged with two counts of failure to report an accident with injury, a Class 2 felony carrying three to seven years, and two counts of aggravated DUI resulting in bodily injury, a Class 4 felony carrying a special sentencing range of one to 12 years.

He could be made to serve the twin sentences back-to-back and would have to complete at least 85% of any prison time for aggravated DUI.

That’s because officials in Utica are having flashbacks to COVID-19. The pandemic ushered in massive crowds – mainly Chicagoans looking for fresh air while social distancing – and egregious parking violations. This summer could be similar.

“It’s been creeping up lately,” Utica Police Chief James Mandujano said of park attendance, linking it to the arrival of gasoline hovering at $4 a gallon.

Monty Bernardoni, the site superintendent for Starved Rock and Matthiessen, predicted that high gas prices would inspire shorter day trips for Chicago-area families, which in turn would mean spiraling totals for the parks. He was right: Matthiessen had a May record 65,522 visitors while Starved Rock’s total stood 11% above average.

Parks have received no indication that summer visits are going to let up. With the U.S. mired in conflict with Iran since Feb. 28, fuel costs have soared and Americans reportedly are reevaluating long-distance summer travel plans based on pain at the pump.

Are all Illinois parks getting such a boost? Department of Natural Resources Director of Communications Jayette Bolinski said “this is not something the department tracks.”

Conservation Police said the trend appears limited to Starved Rock and Matthiessen, at least in northern Illinois. Capt. Mike Filipiak said his region mostly includes campsites with limited foot traffic, although the volume of visitors to Starved Rock and Matthiessen “has increased for sure.”

That’s some good-news and bad-news for Utica and for park staff.

In 2025, the village opened outdoor retail plaza Market on Mill and the business community welcomed any new influx of visitors to make the cash registers ring. The village raked in a record $665,000 share of all sales last year and would like to approach that figure again. A crush of tourists might achieve that goal.

On the other hand, a surge presents safety concerns for Conservation police and EMS.

Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire encouraged visitors to abide by all park rules, warning of significant risks. That’s after an incident that nearly claimed the lives of two boys after a “roughhousing” swimming incident at Cascade Falls Lower Dells. One of the youths received CPR and was saved from drowning.

While safety looms largest among the concerns over crowding, park supporters fret over the wear-and-tear on park facilities when the park is overrun with visitors.

“I believe the increased attendance is a good thing overall,” said Matthew Klein, president of the Starved Rock Foundation. “It shows how much people value Starved Rock and Matthiessen, and how important these parks are to our region.

“That said, more visitors means more pressure on the trails, parking, facilities and natural areas. So I don’t think it’s something to ignore. The parks can handle a lot of visitors, but only if there is continued investment, education and respect from the people using them.”

Park attendance actually had been ticking up before gas prices began soaring, thanks in part to federal cutbacks. During winter 2025, budget squabbles on Capitol Hill threatened closures at the national parks. State parks appear to have benefited from Americans making backup plans.

Matthiessen’s first-quarter totals were robust thanks to warmer-than-average days and rains that kept the waterfalls flowing. Through March 31, Matthiessen had more first-quarter visitors (nearly 71,000) than in any year except 2024, when Matthiessen set its all-time attendance mark with 545,525 visitors.

Sara O’Dell, executive director, and Shannon Slaight, director of the art department at Illinois Valley Community College, will announce the winners at the gallery, located in the west wing of the Westclox building.

The reception begins at 6 p.m. and awards will be presented at 7 p.m. The opening reception is free and open to the public.

More than 50 artists from throughout the Illinois Valley have submitted art pieces. This unique exhibition includes a wide variety of styles and subjects.

Participating artists include: Carrie Woeltje, Jake Ryan Stouffer, Yesenia Yanez, Larisa Sarver, Edna Olson, Carol Crane, Lorena Malm, Raul Gonzalez, Aubrey Elizabeth Siebert, Mary Jean Dzurisin, Gretchen Hauger, Gina LaMonica, Terri Ellinger, Tammy Hudson-Duckworth, Resa Remus-Stariha, René Parks Wendinger, Nancy Nieslawski, Susan O’Shaughnessy, Kimberly Voss, Mary Kay Specht, Zach Fett, Yesenia Valle, Courtney Bailey, Kate Reed, Lana Ramsey, Julia C. Johnson, Erik Beebee, Sonja Penney, Paulina Martinez-Gonzalez, Kimberly Beebee, Nicholas Beebee, Taylor Kramer, Maria Reinert, Kayla Greenwell, Brian Taylor, MaKade Rios, Ariana Guadalupe Benitez, Nat Glynn, Samantha Blaskiewicz, Stephanie Reeder, Ember Struck, Paige Kraml, Isabelle van de Berg, Herman Hu, Jonathan Ma, Kami Nauman, Stella Denny, Rei Jiang, Isabelle van de Berg, Kami Nauman, and Olivia DePue.

For more information on NCI ARTworks, please visit www.nciartworks.com

In a Monday news release, the Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team announced an operation conducted with the Ottawa Police Department and the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office. The operation culminated in a warrant executed at 10:15 a.m. June 5 in the 700 block of Mulberry St., Ottawa.

The following people were arrested as a result:

Ronald L. Callaway, 58, of Ottawa, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony carrying six to 30 years with no possibility of probation

Kevin L. Reiner, 50, of Ottawa, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 1 felony carrying four to 15 years

Chad S. Mitchell, 51, of Ottawa, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony carrying two to five years

Amber V. Flack, 30, homeless, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony carrying one to three years. Flack was also wanted for failure to appear (DUI) out of Lee County.

The property, which police said is owned by Callaway, was seized by Trident Agents and the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

But if the 10-day forecast is correct, then we could all be crying “uncle” by midweek. Flash flooding looks like a short-term concern and county officials are warily eyeing a cold front expected to bring storms into the region Wednesday and Thursday.

A heavy downpour Sunday into Monday appears to have had no major impacts – La Salle County Sheriff Adam Diss reported no flash floods – but Diss urged all residents to exercise caution in light of a soggy forecast to kick off the work week.

“It looks like it’s not stopping until at least Wednesday,” Diss said.

And maybe a lot longer than that. AccuWeather shows at least a 35% chance of rain through June 17, with only a one-day break forecast next Monday.

The bigger worry is a midweek risk of severe weather. La Salle County Emergency Management Agency issued an advisory for residents to tune in to weather alerts on Wednesday and Thursday, when the risk of severe weather hits a 3 on a 5-point scale.

“We could get some severe weather depending on which way this storm decides to move,” said Fred Moore, director of La Salle County Emergency Management Agency.

Specifically, the key slots to watch are Tuesday night and early Wednesday, which could bring strong thunderstorms and wind gusts, and then Wednesday night and into early Thursday, when a “squall line” will pass through and make its presence felt.

“It’s a very active week from a weather perspective,” said David King, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville.

King urged residents to watch for updates. Moore further recommended keeping smartphones charged and weather radios handy.

“Don’t rely on listening for tornado sirens with the air-conditioning going,” Moore cautioned.

Ideally, the severe weather won’t come to pass, but the rain will keep coming, though hopefully less torrentially than it did at times Sunday and Monday.

David Isermann, president of the La Salle County Farm Bureau, said the region had recently entered a moderate drought and the weekend rains were welcome – indeed, very nearly when needed.

Isermann said farmers had enjoyed two weeks of dry, sunny days to complete spring planting – “It was good for making hay,” he said– and then came a good soaking. Isermann farms in rural Streator, where he recorded 3½ inches in the past three days.

“This rain is coming at a really good time,” he allowed. “The only thing is a lot of it is running off because it was coming in too fast.”

Slower, lighter storms would be welcome because the Illinois Valley remains, according to a June 4 update of the U.S. Drought Monitor, in a “moderate drought.” It’s a good bet the Thursday update will show improvement across Northern Illinois.

Prolonged rains could cause problems along the Fox and Illinois rivers, but as of Monday, there were no short-term worries. The Illinois River at Starved Rock Lock and Dam stood 6 feet below flood stage. The Fox River at Dayton stood about 5 feet below flood stage.

Neither was projected to enter flood stage, but recent years have seen such forecasts revised abruptly and to significant levels.

The event was held in memory of Jack Koch, who passed away in 2017 during his journey with Alzheimer’s. All proceeds from the event were given to the local Alzheimer’s group, whose mission is to keep funds local to help families caring for loved ones afflicted with this debilitating disease.

Eighth grade: Evelyn Bortner, Charlotte Durdan, Isak Grammer, Aspyn Hetelle, Addison Hickey, Alyssa Hladovcak, Emileigh Jaegle, Kenzie Jaegle, Sophia Lengfelder, Madison Lubelski, Nora Marek, Preston Myers, Johanna Ogle, Manan Patel, and Anna Reed

Seventh grade: Kiara Adams, Annabelle Calhan, Dreylen Douglas, Oliver Holstein, Reece Ham, Jordan Kirkman, Owen Lacke, Kamden Lehr, Brantley McCormick, Myka Michlik, and Ashlynn Wolf

Sixth grade: Stella Emm, Reigen Ham, Alana Hettel, Levi Jaegle, Emma Lacke, Noah LaVelle, Taya Mejia, Flora Michlik, Carter Santorineos, Lily Sawin, Zeke Simons, Colden Smith and, Jacoby Tustin

Eighth grade: Reid Anderson, Jaylee Armstrong, Deacon Knott, Zain Piccatto, Nicholas Raices, Gabriel Spencer, and Owen Walter

Seventh grade: Conner Cave, Declin Gastineau, Haskell Kehoe, and Zaleigh Piccatto

Sixth grade: Mark Cummings III, Ava Egan, Haylie Harcharik, Nola Jabczynski, Hunter Jaegle, Lennon Knott, Candon Pabian, and Madeline Rees

David L. Ragazincky, 58, of Granville was to have stood trial June 22 in U.S. District for the Central District of Illinois. Monday, however, his federal judge approved an Aug. 24 trial with a final pre-trial conference of Aug. 6.

Ragazincky, remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service, is charged with bank robbery.

According to federal court records, a partially-masked suspect entered the bank April 6 and, armed with a kitchen knife, seized approximately $6,000. Ragazincky was developed as a suspect, court records show, and agents located large bundles of cash in his apartment.

A review of the federal statute suggests Ragazincky faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Members of Ax Church in La Salle set off for downtown La Salle and Baker Lake in Peru, among other locations, despite the uncomfortable temperatures and threat of rain, which did indeed arrive and curtail any hopes of a full day’s labor.

But Cameron Graper, lead pastor, said he and his army of volunteers weren’t about to be dissuaded by inclement weather.

“We’re nuts,” Graper said jokingly. “We’re crazy.”

Dedicated would probably be a better word. Ax Church members are celebrating Hope Week, a volunteer initiative meant to spruce up spots in the Illinois Valley while also giving Christian witness to area residents.

Mary Beth Meils of Toluca was among the volunteers who flocked to First Street in La Salle to clean and paint curbs. She said she was moved by the desire to help others and serve communities in need.

“It doesn’t take a lot of effort to give of your personal time,” Meils said.

Mark Wheelock of La Salle, another volunteer in downtown La Salle, termed the initiative “a good cause.”

“I like to help out the community,” Wheelock said. “I’ve done it just a couple of years.”

Indeed, this week’s endeavor marks the 11^th year that Ax Church members have lent their time and labor for community-wide improvements. Last year, Graper reported volunteers completed 4,558 hours of community service and spent $40,872 on projects this year.

Some Hope Week projects this year include mulching trees at Baker Lake, landscaping at Liesse Park in Dalzell, and installing pea gravel at St. Mary’s Park in La Salle.

Residents may be excited to see the finished projects, but Sunday’s volunteers simply were out there for the joy and satisfaction of giving to others.

“I’m just out here doing God’s work and giving back to the community,” said Nolan Glynn of Peru. “We wanted to get back to the community, show what the church can do, and spread God’s love.”

Summer reading has begun, but patrons still can register for the children’s or teen & adult summer reading programs. For more information, check out the library’s website at www.lasallepubliclibrary.org.

The library’s second Master Gardeners Program will be held at 5 p.m. June 10. “Tomato Troubles” will cover tomatoes and common problems. The program is available in-person or virtually through the website.

“Friends of Dorothy: A Herstory of Queer Voices Throughout Literature,” will be held at 6 p.m. June 17. It features authors such as Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, Ancient Greek Poet Sappho, and many more. This program is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary.

“Incredible Bats,” returns at 1 p.m. June 25. This family-friendly animal show will feature exotic creatures like fruit bats, a fox, an armadillo, Rico the Sloth, and many more. This event is free and open to the public. There is no registration, but due to space constraints, priority seating will be given to children and their parents first.

The library will conclude June with Pride Trivia. Teams of five compete at 5:30 p.m. June 26. To be eligible for the prize, an entry fee of a nonperishable donation to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry is requested. Team Registration can be found on the library’s website.

The exhibition opened on June 2, marking what would have been the 75th birthday of Gilbert Baker. Baker created the original rainbow flag in San Francisco in 1978.

A collaboration between the Gilbert Baker Foundation and ReportOUT, the growing collection of photographs and stories reaffirms the universal power of the Rainbow Flag.

The project was launched in October 2020.

The Gilbert Baker Foundation preserves the historic legacy of Gilbert Baker — including his landmark creation, the Rainbow Flag — and advances his vision that all people, including sexual and gender minorities, deserve freedom and equality.

About ReportOUT ReportOUT is a global human rights organization that researches, documents, and monitors the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people in every nation, turning evidence into advocacy and action.

Angel X. Garibay, 25, appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court and entered blind pleas to unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, a Class 2 felony carrying three to seven years in prison, and possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony carrying an extended sentence of two to 10 years.

Garibay was charged Oct. 16 after state police attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle with no front license plate. Garibay sped from the traffic stop and braked at an unspecified location before attempting to flee on foot.

When police searched the getaway car and located a backpack. Inside was a Glock pistol with an extended magazine. The weapon was found to have been stolen. Garibay had a previous felony conviction for aggravated fleeing and eluding and was prohibited from possessing a firearm, let alone a stolen one.

There was no agreement or “cap” limiting how much time Garibay could get. He will have an opportunity to address Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. at a sentencing hearing set for 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.

Petre, 23, formerly of Marseilles, appeared Friday in La Salle County Circuit Court on twin matters. First, Petre had filed a motion to reconsider his sentence for first-degree murder.

La Salle County Circuit Judge Michelle A. Vescogni denied that motion and upheld the 52 years she gave him for killing Leo Petre. The denial, however, clears the way for Petre to appeal.

But before any appeal goes forward, Petre will be back in La Salle County Circuit Court on some still-pending matters.

Petre is charged with home invasion (filed before Leo Petre’s death on Father’s Day weekend 2024) and with multiple counts of aggravated battery for fights in La Salle County Jail while he was awaiting trial.

A conviction for home invasion would add six to 30 years on top of his 52-year sentence for murder.

The trial for home invasion and battery is set for June 22. Petre will next appear on June 17 for a final pre-trial conference.

Most of Petre’s charges were put on hold while La Salle County prosecutors brought him to trial on murder. Leo Petre was found beaten and fatally choked in his Marseilles home.

Logan Petre acknowledged inflicting the fatal injuries but insisted he acted in self-defense. At a bench trial, Vescogni rejected self-defense and convicted him of murder.

Carias-Moran, 57, of Banning, California, was sentenced in La Salle County Circuit Court for hauling about 27 pounds of heroin, seized in autumn 2020.

Though he entered a blind plea, Carias-Moran appealed his conviction to the Third District Appellate Court and argued he was the victim of a language barrier. He argued in part that he has limited English and that the officer failed to use the correct Spanish word for “search,” which could have voided the consensual search.

The appeals court didn’t parse the Spanish-English flap, but the justices did rule that the defense lawyer wasn’t incompetent in failing to raise the language barrier at trial.

“We cannot say that plea counsel’s failure to further investigate the meaning of the term (in Spanish) constituted deficient performance,” Justice Lance Peterson wrote in the unanimous ruling. “In hindsight, it may have been more thorough to do so, but defendants are not entitled to perfect representation, only competent representation.”

The justices also spotlighted a finding by a La Salle County judge that Carias-Moran only understood English “when it was convenient.”

Carias-Moran was charged following a Nov. 12, 2020, traffic stop in which investigators first seized 18 pounds of heroin concealed in fire extinguishers and, later, another 9 pounds found in a concealed compartment. (The 9-pound seizure was suppressed, however.) In all, the seizure was valued at $360,000.

Carias-Moran is scheduled for parole in 2043, when he will be 74 years old. He then would be deported. At the time of his arrest, the native of El Salvador was in the U.S. on an expiring visa.

Daniel A. McMeen, 35, appeared Thursday in La Salle County Circuit Court and was presented with six counts of sexual contact with an animal, a Class 4 felony carrying one to three years.

McMeen was picked up on Wednesday on a La Salle County warrant issued following an investigation into six specific acts between May 9 and May 14. Court records show the incidents were captured on video. The dog, prosecutors said, was not seriously injured.

Thursday, McMeen applied for and was granted the services of the public defender. He will next appear for arraignment on June 26. Trial dates will be set at that time.

McMeen will not stay in jail while awaiting trial. Prosecutor Laura Hall said in open court that sexual contact with an animal is not a detainable offense, meaning McMeen cannot be held unless he fails to abide by his conditions of release.

Those conditions are detailed, however. He was placed on GPS monitoring and may have no contact with any animal (not merely the animal abused) and may not come near a dog park or animal shelter.

McMeen may not approach the site of the offense. He is subject to limitations on his use of the internet and digital devices. He also must undergo a psychological evaluation within 30 days.

John Marcus Scheidecker of Ottawa and Katherine Irene French of Ottawa

Christopher Joseph Kelly Jr. of Chicago and Bethany Jean Kozak of Chicago

Douglas Stancil Wood II of Chicago and Natalie Anne Niebur Lukich of Chicago

Tyler James Towne of Chicago and Carley Christina DeMoss of Ottawa

Austin Paul Biagini of McNabb and Kayte Elizabeth Bernardoni of McNabb

Bryan Duece Stillwell of Oglesby and Kelsey Lynn Rivara of Oglesby

Kenneth J. Hacker of Mendota and Charlie Lynn Ward of Mendota

Steven Kent Fiene of Ladd and Svetlana Emma Butler Semethy of Ladd

Blake John Kelly of Streator and Abigail Rose Sember of Streator

Mitchell Dean Gibson of Knoxville and Brooke Breann Sunderlage of Knoxville

Aidan Mitchell Walling of Concrete, WA and Mileigh Sue Schultz of Mendota

Logan Arthur Williamson of Streator and Anna Erin McMullen of Streator

Joshua Lee Holdiman of Earlville and Hanna Irean Schoeberlein of Granville

Jose Carlos Paredes Franco of Naperville and Alexis Marie Waldschmidt of Naperville

Beau Thomas Wixom of Mendota and Paige Ellen Simonton of Mendota

Benjamin Patrick Morrey of Tinley Park and Annalise Erin Morris of Geneseo

Robert Vernon Williams of Somonauk and Michele Leigh Kuykendall of Somonauk

Ewan Mackenzie Maier of Peru and Courtney Faye Heinecke of Peru

Porter James Thrall of Earlville and Katelynn Patricia Jorgenson of Earlville

William Figueroa Jr of Streator and Samantha Jo Talmon of Streator

Kyle Derek Kellen of Sublette and Felicia Laine Lybarger of Sublette, IL

Jonander Fajardo of Joliet and Emily Grace Rossini of Plainfield

Mark Troy Schimek of Streator and Natalie Marie Kovach of Streator

Lori Ann Carlson of Streator and Jill Lynn Retoff of Streator

Ian Joseph Welke of Ottawa and Danielle Elizabeth Hauch of Ottawa

Henry Dexter Lipps of Chicago and Reileigh Monroe Turro of Chicago

Timothy Raymond Donahue of Ottawa and Elizabeth Anne Robinson of Streator

Wilden Jose Montilla Bernal of S Chicago Heights and Jennifer Del Carmen Morales Cardozo of Streator

High Honor Roll

Leana Asani, Liam Benedetti, Bryleigh Camenisch, Declan Dahl, Sophia Funfsinn, Araceli Guadarrama, Lincoln Hammers, Robert Henry, Grace Knutson, Carter Mann, Ruby Martin, Payzlie Miller, Keigan Olson, Harper Quiles, Dexter Rigby, Jonah Thorson

Honor Roll

Jordan Bollinger, Evelyn Corcoran, Camden Deegan, Bailee Funsfinn, Bram Kinzer, Bentley McFadin, Jade Soto

High Honor Roll

Logan Balestri, Finnegan Carter, Madisyn Engel, Junie Hancock, Stella Harty, Isabella Hawley, Nathan Jarosz, Mackenzie Kalita, Shaylynn Keckler, Avery Klinefelter, Brody Kramarsic, Kash Mathesius, Ava Myers, Michael Padilla, Elliana Ramirez, Jiselle Salazar, Felix Shapiro, Lilabeth Skodachek, Lucas Straughn, Aiden Zavsza

Honor Roll

Olivia Barnhart, Iris Huerta, Scarlett McDonald, Levi Zermeno

High Honor Roll

Natalie Baker, Gabrianna Cervantes, Aubrie Emmerling, Lydia Kamnikar, Ariella Margis-Ragazincky, Leslee Thompson, Vincent Wren

Honor Roll

Elayna Delgado, Georgia Grosenbach, Aubrey Hale, Laiken Halm, Landon Halm, Madison Hill, Rubi Ramirez, Easton Strand, Kensley Turczyn

Daniel A. McMeen, 35, was taken into custody Wednesday and awaits a first appearance Thursday in La Salle County Circuit Court.

He is charged with six counts of sexual contact with an animal, a Class 4 felony carrying one to three years, though the law provides for alternate sentencing options besides prison.

Court records allege six specific acts to have occurred between May 9 and May 14. The dog, prosecutors said, was not seriously injured.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro said Wednesday that Illinois Supreme Court rules restrict him from commenting on specifics of McMeen’s case. However, Navarro said he’s practiced law for 42 years and the only comparable cases he’s handled were charges stemming from illegal dog fights and cockfighting.

“But nothing involving this type of conduct – at all,” Navarro said.

Notably, the alleged acts were video-recorded. That information came not from the criminal records but instead from an order of protection filed May 14 against McMeen by a Streator woman.

The petitioner, who asked to have McMeen barred from any contact with her pets, said a video camera picked up McMeen engaged in activities recorded late May 13 or early May 14. The petitioner disclosed in her court filing she alerted Streator police on May 14 and submitted the video footage for police review.

McMeen appeared on Wednesday for a hearing on the order of protection. He advised La Salle County Judge Karen C. Eiten that he wishes to contest the order of protection but has not yet secured legal counsel. He also said in open court that he was aware of pending criminal charges.

Eiten granted a temporary order of protection until July 1. McMeen was immediately taken into custody on the animal abuse charges.