Deal Nearing To Open Back Up Vermilion

With weather like this, imagine being able to canoe on the Vermilion River in Oglesby.  State Representative Frank Mautino thinks it could become a reality once again.

Mautino says engineers and lawyers with Buzzi Unicem and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources met Wednesday in Oglesby to try and finalize a lease agreement where the state takes over ownership of Buzzi’s stretch of the Vermilion.  Mautino says they are down to just a few things to agree on.  Buzzi closed its stretch in June after a couple drownings.

If for whatever reason the lease agreement falls apart, Mautino still is pushing thru legislation that would open Buzzi’s stretch of the Vermilion by state order.  Mautino hope’s to avoid this because it opens things up for a lawsuit and doesn’t address the main issue of safety on the river.

Mautino says the proposed lease agreement offers long-term safety improvements.

Accused arsonist indicted

A woman accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a church and setting a house on fire in Ottawa remains in jail.  Terri James was indicted Tuesday for residential arson, attempted arson, and theft.

James was arrested after fires broke out at an abandoned house on Leland Street and a home on Catherine Street earlier this month.  Prosecutors also think she had been stealing money from the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Ottawa where she was a secretary.

Her bond is $200,000.  A judge last week refused a request to have it lowered.

Water could be rusty or cloudy in Peru

If you’re in Peru, don’t be surprised if your water looks rusty or cloudy.  Chris Perra with TEST says due to a well-maintenance issue Tuesday  night, water could be discolored city-wide for the next day or two.  The water is safe to drink.

TRIDENT arrests man and woman in Streator

An investigation into drugs in Streator has left a man facing weapons charges and a woman arrested for drugs.

          Police with TRIDENT Friday searched Justin Wonder’s home on Washington Street.  Investigators say they found an illegal firearm with the serial number removed and the drug hydrocodone. 

          Wonder’s was arrested for having a firearm and being a felon and having a firearm with the serial number removed, both felony charges.  He was also charged with misdemeanor possession of cannabis.

          A woman living with him, Rosemarie Sanchez, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, hydrocodone, a class four felony.

          Both were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Durbin visits Spring Valley sewer project and La Salle Veteran’s Home

http://ping.fm/p/mREiq – Senator Durbin in Spring Valley

         Heavy machinery lines Third Street in Spring Valley where a deep rut has been dug into the road.  It’s part of a major sewer project that’s being paid for using federal stimulus money.

          One of the big supporters of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act is U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.  The Democrat made a stop at the project site Tuesday afternoon.

          He thinks it’s projects like this that will help the economy.

          Mayor Cliff Banks says it was money well needed.  He hopes it prevents people in that area from having to deal with flooded basements.

          Before leaving for a tour of the Veteran’s Home in La Salle, Durbin told reporters he supports the recently approved healthcare overhaul and says the reaction he’s been hearing has been good.

Ottawa man arrested for cannabis and resisting arrest

Over 200 grams of marijuana is what investigators say they found after going to a man’s apartment in Ottawa. 

          Ottawa Police Narcotics Detectives say they went to Joseph Weber’s place Monday after getting complaints about possible drug activity.

          Police say Weber tried to escape by running out of the apartment, but was caught.  After getting a search warrant, police say they found a large amount of marijuana, a scale, packaging materials and cash.

          Weber was arrested for possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, a class three felony, and misdemeanor resisting arrest.  He was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Senator Durbin In The Area

There are a few chances today to see U.S. Senator Dick Durbin in the area.

Durbin is planning afternoon stops in Spring Valley and La Salle.  He will hold a news conference at 3:30 near the intersection of 3^rd and Spalding Street in Spring Valley to talk about federal funding for two sanitary sewer projects.  The money came from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Durbin will then move on to La Salle for a tour of the Veteran’s Home.  He is expected in La Salle around 4:15.

Peru schedules appliance pickup week in April

The old refrigerator in the basement that’s used to store beer or the washing machine that only has the gentle cycle left don’t have to crowd your house any longer, at least not if you’re in Peru.

Large appliance pick-up week will be April 19-23.  Place the appliances out on your normal garbage day and they’ll be removed.

Plans for oncology center in Peru receive council support

Plans for an out-patient oncology center in Peru have received some of the green lights they needed from the city.

A project including Illinois Valley Community Hospital and St. Margaret’s Health has plans for a clinic in the building that used to be Leath Furniture, north of Target.  After receiving favorable recommendations from the Plan Commission and Zoning Board, the city council Monday night approved the necessary waivers and text amendment to allow that type of business in an area already zone as a community shopping area.

The clinic will be ran by Advantage Oncology and offer radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Latest On Woman Who Fell At Starved Rock

A 20 year old woman from Orland Park is still being treated at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after falling at Starved Rock.

Cori Winchel was lifeflighted to Peoria after falling 25 to 30 feet from Wildcat Canyon just after six o’clock Friday night.  Utica Fire Chief Dave Edgcomb says his department treated Winchel at the scene and believed her to suffer a severe head injury.  The woman’s family is not allowing condition updates to be released.

Three others were in Winchel’s group.  They’re all from the Chicago area, in their early 20’s and all ticketed for unlawful entry to a restricted area.