Memory Walk and Run raises over $23,000

If you participated in last weekend’s annual Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk and Run, you helped them raise over $23,000.

The walk brought in over $20,000 while the run raised $3,000.

Man faces cocaine charge after being stopped in Bureau County

Over 400 grams of cocaine is what police say they found hidden in the trunk of a car stopped on Interstate 80 in Bureau County.

Police say they stopped Theodis Bagby of South Holland early Tuesday morning for speeding.  Police say they searched the car after getting permission and found duct tape-wrapped package under the spare tire containing cocaine.

Bagby was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and was taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Road work planned for Somonauk Blacktop

Flaggers will be controlling traffic on the Somonauk Blacktop beginning Monday.  Crews will be micro-surfacing the road in two phases.  They’ll start with the southern portion between Route 52 and Springstead Road Monday.

Once that is done they’ll move north for the section between North 4350^th Road and North 46^th.  It’s expected to be completed by next Friday.

Flaggers will be controlling traffic during work hours.  It’s recommended you use an alternate route.

Spring Valley holds Summer Shindig

The party is in Spring Valley Saturday evening.  The city is hosting a Summer Shindig at the mini park from 6pm-9pm.  You’ll hear music by the Goodies Band, formerly known as the Generics.  Drinks will be on sale.

Peru Schools predicts budget deficit

They’re making adjustments and trying to be smart about spending in the Peru Public School District but they still expect a deficit budget.

A tentative $11.3 million budget including an estimated $1 million deficit was placed on file this week.  Superintendent Mark Cross says it’s very tentative and he hopes to cut back spending before the budget is formally approved.

Making up the deficit is $286,000 in the capital fund from the Parkside School construction.  The bulk of the deficit is in the education fund which is estimated to fall short by $610,000.  Cross says they ended the last budget $45,000 short in the ed fund because of missed stated payments.

Cross says they’ve made some adjustments but haven’t cut anything like reading improvement and preschool.

The have a slightly smaller staff this year thanks to retirements.

They’ll formally approve a budget at next month’s board meeting.

Another birthday celebration for Maud Powell

Peru’s favorite musical native will be remembered with music Saturday.  Area musicians and vocalists will be the featured performers in the Peru Maud Powell Birthday Celebration. Powell was born on August 22, 1867 in Peru.

Morning performances by the Illinois Valley Music School, Illinois Valley Flute Ensemble and OPUS 111 Music Studio will be at Maud Powell Plaza starting at 9am.

Evening concerts are outside of city hall beginning at 6pm.  You’ll hear music performed by the Peru Municipal Band and a variety a local musicians and singers.

An art show will be going on inside.

Concert admission is free.