TON-11-15-2013

Page 1

1 Front Volume 140 No. 38

Friday, November 15, 2013

The Tonica News

Single Copy Cost 50¢

National crime rate climbs Property crimes down in LaSalle County OTTAWA — The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) shows violent crime and property crime rates have risen for the second consecutive year. According to the BJS study released last month, the violent crime rate in the United States in 2012 jumped more

than 15 percent, from 22.6 victimizations per 1,000 persons in 2011 to 26.1 victimizations in 2012. The figures include estimates for rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated and simple assault. In addition, the BJS study shows the property crime rate increased by more than 12 per-

cent in 2012. In 2011, there were 138.7 property crimes per 1,000 households, compared to 155.8 property crimes in 2012. Property crime figures include estimates for burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Unfortunately, not all crimes are reported to authorities. In 2012,

about 44 percent of violent victimizations and 54 percent of serious violent victimizations were reported to police, with about 34 percent of property victimizations reported. LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton said the trend is just the opposite in the county. While violent crime is not a major problem in

LaSalle County, property crimes are down. “Between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012, the rural areas of LaSalle County reported 148 burglaries and 255 thefts,” Templeton said. “This year, from Jan. 1 to Nov. 5, we’ve had only 84 burglaries and 180 thefts. Unless we have a major crime wave, our numbers will be way down

from last year.” Locally, the numbers are even more encouraging. This year, Tonica has reported just one burglary and four thefts under $300. Lostant has been slightly worse off with two burglaries and one theft over $300. Tonica News Staff Writer Ken Schroeder contributed to this report.

Lostant may see water/sewer rate hike By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com

LOSTANT — Sewage issues dominated the meeting of the Lostant Village Board Nov. 11. With Mayor Fred Hartenbower and board members Tony Allison and Chris Dose absent, the rest of the board heard about problems and concerns from public works supervisor Mitch McCaw. The new sewer pumps which were installed in Lostant two weeks ago brought some new problems with them, according to McCaw. He said Midwest Pump, the company who installed them, has already come back to service them after they broke down within 10 days of installation. The work was done free of charge, including the rental of a back-up pump while the new ones were serviced. Water and sewer supervisor Dave Mertes asked McCaw if he was able to discover why the pumps had come in over budget when they were purchased. He replied an examination of the earlier bid did not include labor or transportation of the equipment, causing the discrepancy. McCaw also delivered some bad news in the village’s quest to update the pump house to a threephase configuration, since nobody manufactures twophase equipment.

See Lostant Page 2 Vol. 140 No. 38 One Section - 8 Pages

Tonica News photo/Ken Schroeder

Bob Does has been collecting toys for several years, with hundreds filling the walls of his basement and his workshop. Some of his favorites are these trucks made by the Smith-Miller Toy Co. between 1945 and 1955.

Collecting collectibles Bob Does is a collector’s collector By Ken Schroeder news@tonicanews.com

TONICA — Most of us have a collection of some kind; whether it’s stamps, porcelain figurines or Star Trek memorabilia. Tonica’s Bob Does doesn’t have a single collection. Instead, he has several.

Cars, toys, knives and other collections fill Does’ home and workshop with a bright array of colors, each with a unique history. In a corner of his workshop, there’s a prop used in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” the front end of a jalopy with the “WB” logo in the license plate area.

“When I bought it, it was green and busted. It was on the More on 34 sale, Does said. “I fixed all the fiberglass and painted the sides. “I used to have a lot of guns, but I sold most of them because I hardly hunt anymore,” Does said. “I collect all kinds of stuff. I’ve got a pocket knife collection with over 600 knives.” Does’ knife collection includes

some rare treasures, including a Royal Canadian Mounted Police-issue pocket knife and a commemorative knife from the Chicago World’s Fair. A series of photographs line a wall in Does’ basement; a history of automobiles he’s bought, refurbished and sold over the years.

See Does Page 3

Have a very Blessed, Happy THanksgiving! 815-882-2111 • 815-875-2540

© The Tonica News

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