Peru considering funding for a new pool

Deciding what to do next when it comes to the swimming pool is the position Peru officials have found themselves in.

The aldermen and mayor talked about their options during Monday night’s council meeting.  Nothing was voted on but ideas about what features they would like to see in a new pool, whether they think they need to build a new bathhouse, and if they should put the question before the voters in November were some of the things they talked about.

A few of the aldermen say they would like to start fresh with a new pool and bathhouse while some would like to renovate the bathhouse.  As for what features they should include, that will likely depend on who they want to serve.

A lot of the details need to be worked out, including financing.  They’ve asked City Treasurer Gary Hylla to come up with funding ideas if they were to spend up to $5 million.

Hylla says he wants to find a way to finance it as prudently as possible, relying on more than one funding source like property or sales taxes or some type of a fee.  He plans to present a proposal to the council next Wednesday.  That could be become part of the question put before voters in November if the council chooses.

A recreation committee meeting about the pool that had been scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled.

IDOT reschedules I-80 closure

A scheduling conflict means a stretch of Interstate 80 will be closed to traffic Tuesday night rather than Monday night.

I-80 westbound from the Spring Valley exit to the I-180 interchange will be closed beginning at 8pm.  The stretch will be reopened by Wednesday morning.  Traffic will be redirected using Route 89 to Route 6 and then to I-180.

The $22 million project includes removing and replacing six bridges and resurfacing.

New Police Chief In Oglesby

Oglesby officially has its new police chief.

Former Assistant Chief James Knoblauch was sworn in Monday night as the new chief.  He replaces Tom Kramarsic who resigned after three years on the job on July 9^th.

Knoblauch will be paid a yearly salary of 61 thousand dollars.  He’s being given the same longevity pay and benefit package as union police officers working under him.

Public Safety Commissioner Tom Porter says he’s told the Fire and Police Board to start the process of naming an assistant chief and hiring a patrolman.

J.C. Whitney Sold

A California auto parts company is buying Whitney Automotive Group, the parent company of J.C. Whitney.

U.S. Auto Parts has signed a purchase agreement for J.C. Whitney totaling 27.5 million dollars.  By taking over the distribution center in La Salle, U.S. Auto Parts officials say they’ll complete a three-distribution center network which increases their distribution footprint and will enable them to ship auto parts in two days.

U.S. Auto Parts expects the integration of the companies to be finished next year.

Utica Man Allegedly Tried Luring Minor For Sex

A man from Utica faces charges he tried to solicit sex with a minor.

Timothy Reeland was arrested on a warrant Friday in Ottawa for indecent solicitation of a child and solicitation to meet a child.  He’s accused of trying to set up a meeting with the minor via text messages.

The minor’s family approached police a couple weeks before Reeland was arrested.

Consolidation Opponents Meeting Again

The group against consolidating Streator’s catholic churches is meeting again.

“Save the Catholic Parishes of Streator” will meet tomorrow night at 7 at Park Place Conference Center behind Park Presbyterian Church.  Some of the planned topics of discussion are a petition to stop the building of a new church and push to keep Mass for St. Anthony School at the church across the street.

Church officials announced last month they plan to consolidate four catholic churches into Streator into one parish.

Stretch of 80 Closing

A portion of Interstate 80 will be closed completely to traffic tonight.

I-80 westbound from the Spring Valley exit to the I-180 interchange is closing starting at 8 o’clock.  The stretch will be reopened by tomorrow morning.  Traffic will be redirected using Route 89 to Route 6 and then to I-180.

The 22 million dollar project includes removing and replacing six bridges and resurfacing.

Rolling road closure near Princeton

If you normally take Backbone Road in Bureau County, be prepared for a rolling road closure beginning today.

The work area will begin at the edge of Princeton and head west to the Wyanet/Walnut Blacktop.

This rolling road closure will continue through Tuesday.

American music topic of library presentation

You can learn something about America’s music during a presentation at the La Salle Public Library.

An American Folk musician, Jim Kanas, will be presenting “The Development of American Music through its Ethnical Roots” 6pm Tuesday.

He’ll talk about early American music to modern jazz and blues.  He’ll also be playing the fiddle, spoons, saw, and other instruments.

Admission is free.