Peru needs to repair two wells

Turn on your tap water in Peru and the water should be flowing even though two of the city’s nine wells are down.

Fixing the wells won’t be cheap.  It’s estimated to cost between $107,000 and $116,000 to pull and replace one pump.

At another well, it’s unclear how much it will total since they’re not sure what needs to be repaired.  Just pulling the pump out could cost up to $10,000.

One well is on the south side of town and the other on the north side.  They’re hoping to have them back online as soon as possible.

Felony drug charges for California man

Several pounds of marijuana and other drugs is what police believe they found after stopping a man from California in Peru.

Robert Bendula of Mountain House was pulled over Monday for a traffic violation.  Police say the drug dog helped them find marijuana and what they think is ecstasy and LSD.

Bendula was arrested on felony drug charges and was being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Iowa man arrested in Peru for marijuana

A traffic stop in Peru sent a man from Iowa to the La Salle County Jail.

Investigators say a police dog sniffed out one and a half pounds of marijuana after they stopped Pierre Maxfield of Bettendorf Friday night on May Road.

He was arrested for felony possession of cannabis.

Marseilles Man Admits Driving Recklessly In Fatal Crash

A Marseilles man is likely going to prison after pleading guilty causing a fatal accident a couple years ago near Starved Rock State Park.

Christopher Leadingham has pled guilty to the felony of aggravated reckless driving.  Three other counts including DUI were dropped as part of Leadingham agreeing to plead guilty.

He’s accused of driving drunk when crashing his car into a tree on Route 71 in January of 2008.  The crash killed his passenger, 22 year old Chase Rod of Marseilles.  Another passenger, Caitlin Cameron of Ottawa was hurt in the crash.  Toxicology results showed Leadingham’s blood-alcohol level at the time of the accident was .125.  Investigators also say Leadingham was driving over 100 miles per hour.

Leadingham will be sentenced Thursday, October 21^st.  He faces one to three years but could also get probation.

New Nursing Home Boss

For the second time in less than a year, a new administrator has been hired at the La Salle County Nursing Home.

Chris Csernus took over as administrator Tuesday.  He replaces Dr. Amjad Hussein who resigned earlier this month after being hired in February to take over for previous administrator Adrienne Erickson who was fired after the county was sued for alleged sexual assaults at the nursing home.

Csernus has been administrator at Mendota Lutheran Home for 15 years.  He’ll be paid a yearly salary of 79 thousand dollars, the same amount Dr. Hussein was getting before his resignation.

The full county board will approve the hire next month.

Trailer hauling bagged onions overturns on I-80

An overnight crash on Interstate 80 had the potential to really stink.  A flatbed trailer hauling bagged onions overturned near the Seneca exit shortly before 1am Wednesday.

Police think Larry Cordel of Pennsylvania ran off the road and overcorrect, causing the truck to overturn.  Luckily, he didn’t loose the load and no one was hurt.

Expanded children’s hours at Peru Public Library

In Peru, homeowners are paying more taxes towards the public library.  A tax levy increase last spring gave the library a $379,000 funding increase.

Mary Jean Hauger is the library Director.  She says they’re using the extra money to expand the hours the Children’s Room is open.

The area for kids has traditionally been open fewer hours than the rest of the library.  The children’s room is in the lower level and requires an extra person to be on duty.

Hauger says they’re trying to meet guidelines that would make it more likely they could receive state grants.

She says because of the extra tax dollars, they’re able to qualify for state money for new automatic doors and improved ramps and concrete near the lower level entrance.

Library tax levy and meeting schedule on the agenda for Peru

Folks in Peru recently were hit with increased property taxes following a library tax levy increase.  The library tax levy will be one of the things city officials discuss during Wednesday night’s city council meeting.

The council will also consider the meeting schedule for next year including how often they should meet and when.

The council meets at 7:30pm.

Bureau County Fair opens in Princeton

Are you good at bags?  The Bureau County Fair kicks off Wednesday and one of the things going on tonight is a bags tournament.

Registration is from 5pm until 6pm.  It’s $20 a team.

The main gates open at 2pm.  Other attractions include the carnival, beer garden and food stands.

The fair runs through Sunday in Princeton.