Handmade baskets mark Peru’s 175th anniversary

A lot of towns have collectable items to mark special anniversaries.  In Peru, they’re marking their 175^th anniversary with handmade baskets.

The baskets are the work of the CSO and six area women who have been working since January to weave 75 baskets.

Each basket is numbered and includes the initials of the woman who made it and a button marking the anniversary.

Basket go on at noon Tuesday at the city clerk’s office.  A raffle will be held for the sale of the first 12 baskets.  The first 12 will cost $65 each with the rest costing $55 each.

Peru mayor says he’ll use his power to prevent pool from opening

Memorial Day weekend has long marked the beginning of summer and the opening weekend for area pools.  Unless it rains, the Peru Pool come Saturday will be bone dry.

Mayor Scott Harl says he’ll use his authority to make sure the pool doesn’t open for the season.  He says he can’t after hearing the opinions of the city attorney, insurance providers, and architects.

A study of the pool by Williams Architects shows the original pool vessel looks to be crumbling and the pool and bathhouse don’t comply with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Bringing the pool into compliance would take time and thousands of dollars.

Harl let his feelings known during Monday night’s city council meeting.  It followed an hour and a half long public meeting on the pool conditions.  Architects say any repairs made to the pool would only be a short term fix.

Harl says he would like to see the architects draw up several plans for new pools, give them a cost, and make it a referendum question on the November ballot.

Some of the aldermen were visibly unhappy with Harl’s plans, but Alderman Ron Wren asked that they vote next Wednesday to rescind votes to open the pool and prepare it for opening.

Even if they don’t, Harl could still veto the votes.  It would take a two-thirds vote by the council to override his veto.

Car Hits House In Ottawa

An alleged drunk driver slammed into a house Saturday night in Ottawa.

Isaac Edgleston of La Salle was arrested for DUI and improper backing after police say he hit reverse and hit a home in the 600 block of 2^nd Avenue.  No one in the house was hurt.

Edgleston posted 300 dollars bond and was released.

Virgin Mary Statue Stolen From Yard

Police in Streator are looking for your help in finding who’s responsible for stealing a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Thru Crime Stoppers, investigators are looking for information into the statue theft which is said to have happened last Thursday from a yard in the 700 block of East Bridge Street.

If you have any information into the theft, call Streator Crime Stoppers.  You could get reward money.

IVCC hires new baseball coach

The new men’s baseball coach at Illinois Valley Community College was once a team member and former assistant coach.

The college announced Monday that Eric Pinter of La Moille has been brought on board.  Pinter played baseball at IVCC in 2001.  He was an assistant coach in 2006 and left to be an assistant coach at Rockford College.

Pinter replaces interim coach Jim Thompson.