John Small, WLPO-AM (LaSalle, IL) Journalist Profile

Articles

Update: Teen Dead Following Streator Easter Shooting

3 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small |Tom Henson

A 17-year-old is dead and two other people are listed in fair condition following an Easter shooting in Streator last night. Just before 6:00 p.m., Streator Police Officers were dispatched to the intersection of Main St. and Sterling St. about possible gunshots. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found evidence that confirmed multiple shots had been fired in this area. Two vehicles were identified as having been involved. One of the vehicles involved was located at OSF in Streator.
Severe weather prompts one tornado warning Sunday

3 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

A large line of thunderstorms crossed the state and Starved Rock Country Sunday night. They had enough punch to trigger a tornado warning for northwest Bureau County in the 9pm hour. The county's Emergency Management Agency Director Adam Lind said there were no touchdowns or sightings. Winds, though, laid several utility poles across Route 92 by 200 E street. Heavy rain, Lind says, was reported in Walnut and Manlius.
Severe weather Sunday night prompts one tornado warning

4 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

A large line of thunderstorms crossed the state and Starved Rock Country Sunday night. They had enough punch to trigger a tornado warning for northwest Bureau County in the 9pm hour. The county's Emergency Management Agency Director Adam Lind said there were no touchdowns or sightings. Winds, though, laid several utility poles across Route 92 by 200 E street. Heavy rain, Lind says, was reported in Walnut and Manlius.
Tornado Watch lifted in La Salle County.

4 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

The latest:A tornado Watch has been lifted in La Salle County. It remains in effect in Livingston County.
Tornado Watch in Bureau, Putnam and La Salle

4 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

The latest:A tornado Watch is now in effect until 4am in La Salle and Livingston counties. EXPIRED AT 9:45pm* Tornado Warning for... Southeastern Whiteside County in northwestern Illinois... Northeastern Henry County in northwestern Illinois... Northwestern Bureau County in north central Illinois... This has expired
Tornado Watch in Bureau and Putnam Counties until 11p

4 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 155NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE QUAD CITIES IA IL812 PM CDT SUN APR 20 2025THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS EXTENDED TORNADO WATCH 155 TOINCLUDE THE FOLLOWING AREAS UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS EVENINGIN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIESIN NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOISBUREAU PUTNAMIN NORTHWEST ILLINOISWHITESIDETHIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF HENNEPIN, PRINCETON, AND STERLING.
Holiday shooting in Streator

4 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

A peaceful holiday in Streator marred by gunplay. On their Facebook about 6:30 Sunday, police were urging the public to avoid the area of Main and Sterling...calling it a crime scene. Officers had responded to that area on reports of a shooting. It added that an active investigation was on going. More information, they said, would be released when available.
21 years have passed since the Utica/Granville tornado

4 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

On a national level, you probably remember where you were and what you were doing during the terrorist attacks of September 11. In the Illinois Valley, the same thing can be said for the 2004 tornado that cut through Granville and Utica. Sunday, April 20th marks the 21st anniversary of the twister that started in Granville, rolled through Utica before ending shortly after passing Interstate 80. The tornado injured five psons in Granville and damaged a school, homes, a bank and drug store.
Local vets awarded "Quilts of Valor" in Princeton Saturday

5 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

Long after military service, some veterans experienced the warm feeling of a special quilt. Ten vets – mostly Army – were wrapped in colorful quilts prepared by the Illinois Valley “Quilt of Valor” group. Group Leader, Terry Johnson introduced Phil Valle of Peru and five members of the Spring Valley American Legion. Spring Valley's Clifton Cradle, joined at age 19 back in 1979.
"Sawyer Brown" coming to Sublette in September

6 days ago | starvedrock.media | John Small

Fall may be as much fun for live music as summer. “Sublette 365” announced Friday that country music group, Sawyer Brown” will perform September 6 for the village's “Hops and Harmony” festival. Sawyer Brown was founded in Florida in 1981 and, later, won “Star Search” and signed with Capitol Records.