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.