Chilean woman with ties to northern Illinois talks about quake

No plumbing, no electricity but sometimes your cellphone and internet work.  Sound frustrating?  That’s what they’re dealing with in Chile.

A Rotary exchange student who spent time in Rock Falls last year,

Manuela Vivanco, lives 200 miles from the quakes epicenter.  She was driving home from a nightclub Saturday with her brother when they felt the massive quake.

Her town has not been destroyed but services have been disrupted.  She says the only death related to the quake in her town was a person having a heart attack.

The magnitude 8.8 quake — one of the biggest in centuries — destroyed or badly damaged 500,000 homes.  More than 700 people were killed.

Noise ordinance and airport topics for Peru Council

Noisy bars and neighbors have a better chance of being fined with proposed changes to Peru’s noise ordinance.  The city council could approve changes that include the use of a decibel meter.  The rules will also cover vibrations caused by loud bass.

          Also up for a vote tonight is an agreement between Peru and Midwest Avtech, the company that manages Illinois Valley Regional Airport.  Under the agreement, the city no longer sells fuel.

          The council could also talk more about the outdoor pool.  The council meets at 7:30pm Monday.

Pay off library fines with food donations

Have you driven up fines for overdue books?  You can solve the problem while also helping a good cause.

          Reddick Library in Ottawa is doing a “Food for Fines Week” starting Monday and running thru Sunday.  Every non-perishable food item you bring into the library this week you can knock off a dollar of library fines. 

          Library Director Kathy Clair says plenty of people can use this chance to cut into their fines.

           Even if you don’t have fines, Clair says you can still bring in food.  The food’s being donated to the Ottawa Food Pantry.