Joint investigation leads to arrest

It doesn’t matter what neighborhood, you’re at risk for having your garage or car broken-into. At least that’s been the situation in La Salle-Peru recently.
Investigators say they handled over 100 reports of burglaries in the Illinois Valley since March. In many cases, cars and garages were left unlocked or valuables left in plain view.
Detectives from the La Salle and Peru Police Departments began a joint investigation that involved overnight surveillance.
Tuesday they arrested a man they think is responsible. Marshall Bernardini of La Salle was arrested on a warrant for multiple counts of burglary. He’s being held in the La Salle County Jail and could face charges in Bureau County.

Woman attacked near the I and M Canal

If you’ve been following the story of the woman that was attacked while on the tow path, police say it happened a couple of miles east of Utica.
A woman in her 30’s told police a man approached her from behind and pulled her from her bike at about 11:30am Tuesday. The two struggled and she was able to fight him off. He hasn’t been caught. He’s described as white and in his late 20’s or early 30’s.
Conservation police are investigating. Call the police if you see anything suspicious.

Man Airlifted After Being Run Over

Serious is the condition of a man who police say was hit while laying on a highway in Putnam County.
Tristan Knouse remains in St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. He was flown there after investigators say he was during the early morning hours Tuesday on Route 71 in Standard.
The man who hit him, James Cardas of Granville, has not been ticketed.

Contract Talks In Ottawa

It’s déjà vu all over again at Ottawa High School.

Just as when the last faculty contract ran out three years ago, a federal mediator has been called into to help with negotiating a new contract. The latest faculty contract ended the day before classes started this semester so teachers are working under terms of the previous contract.

Superintendent John Harrison is staying upbeat about negotiations saying the sides aren’t at an impasse. He won’t say what the issues are holding up a new contract.

The high school board of education is holding a special meeting Wednesday morning to talk about contract negotiations.

Area Soldiers Coming Home

One hundred soldiers spread out amongst battalions in Pontiac, Dixon, Kewanee and Aurora will be welcomed home tomorrow with ceremonies. Welcome home ceremonies at the Pontiac and Dixon armories start at 5 with the Aurora and Kewanee ceremonies starting at 5:30.

The troops are part of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Team that was deployed to Afghanistan last year to help train Afghani police and soldiers. Eighteen members of the 33rd team have died including Spc. Chester Hosford of Ottawa.

Peru Officials Fearful Of Stripclub

How do you prevent a strip club from opening in your community? Revise your zoning ordinance. At least that’s what Peru is looking to do.

With the sale of the old Howard Johnson/ Econo Lodge approaching later this month, some city officials are concern the current zoning, B-4, would allow a strip club to develop.

To prevent that from happening, the city council last night approved hiring a law firm to help them amend the adult use portion of their zoning rules. They also asked building inspector John Micheli to request a text amendment change from to plan commission.

Some Movement On Closed Hennepin Plant

State Representative Frank Mautino says a steelmaker from California is in the process of putting his finances together and in the bank to show Arcelor Mittal that he’s serious about buying their plant. The potential buyer has made a formal offer of 100 million to buy Arcelor according to Mautino.

Despite the offers, company officials have still been trying to move equipment out only to be stopped by picketing workers. Mautino says the picketers work is giving people like him a chance work out a sale.