Fire damages duplex in Spring Valley

http://ping.fm/p/AX99t – Duplex fire

A duplex fire had fire fighters from Spring Valley and surrounding towns busy late Saturday morning.

          Spring Valley Fire Safety Officer Ed Templeton says it appears the fire started in the garage area of the duplex on Pulaski Street.  It was reported shortly before 10:30am.

          People were living in both units.  Fire fighters believe at least of the people living there were at work when the fire started.

          Peru, Ladd and Depue Fire Departments assisted Spring Valley.

          A cause was being investigated.  The amount of the damage was unclear.

Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway topic of forums

For a few years, a tourist organization has been promoting attractions along the Illinois River as a way to draw people to the area.  They’re holding several community meetings next week in hopes of getting new ideas.

          The Illinois River Road National Scenic Byway Organization wants community and tourism leaders and anyone else interested in the Illinois River and tourism to bring their comments to a forum from 5-7pm Tuesday at Princeton City Hall.  Another meeting is from 5-7pm Thursday at Ottawa City Hall.

          Anyone can attend but they would like you to make reservations.

Streator boy taken to detention home after traffic stop

A traffic stop in Streator turned into arrests for three people, including a 16 year old boy. 

          Police Thursday night stopped the boy after they say he ran a stop sign.  He was also ticketed for obstructing and resisting police, fleeing and eluding police, and driving while license suspended.  He was taken to the county detention home.

          A couple of adults with him, Nicole Harcar and Jose Magana, both of Streator, were arrested for obstructing and resisting police.  They were released after posting bond.

Basketball game raises money for food pantry and hospital foundation

A basketball game that put area doctors against local rotary members raised almost $1900 for a couple of charities. 

The game at Parkside School in Peru yesterday evening raised money for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry and the Illinois Valley Community Hospital Foundation.

          Members of the La Salle, Peru and Sunrise Rotaries participated.