Peru church receives permission to remain in downtown for now

The bad economy has hampered a Peru church’s plan for a new building, so they’ll remain at the temporary location for a few more years.

Harvest Community Church has been holding services in the former Letterkraft Printers building on 4^th Street since 2008.  The area is zoned for retail so to be there, they need a special use permit.

Reverend Karin Orwin recently asked the city to have a permanent special use permit but instead received an extension good through February 2014.

Alderman Bob Ankiewicz was the only Peru city council member against the request Monday night, saying he doesn’t think a church belongs in a location that should be used for retail.

Hydrant testing will affect homes in Peru

Rusty water is possible as hydrant testing continues in Peru.  The area they’ll be in this week is north of Shooting Park Road from Peoria Street to Airport Road.  Many homes will be affected.  If your water is rusty, let it run.

Princeton Boy Hit While Riding Bike

Princeton Police say a 12-year old boy was the victim of a hit and run.

The boy was riding bikes with other children when he was hit Friday by Constance Burton of Princeton.  Investigators say it happened at the intersection of Clark and Main Streets as traffic was stopped for a train.  Burton is accused of hitting the boy and taking off.

She was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident driving uninsured.  The boy was treated and released at Perry Memorial Hospital.

Three LPHS Board seats up for re-election

Interested in running for the LP High School Board?  Petitions for the spring election are available in the superintendent’s office.

Three seats that will be up for grabs are currently held by Tom Martin, Tony Sparks, and Pete Corgiat.  Terms are four years long.

Petitions can be returned between December 13 and December 20.  The election is April 5, 2011.

Money Dished Out For Local Roads, Bridges And Sidewalks

Replacing cracked sidewalks or pothole filled roads in the area should become easier to afford.

Governor Pat Quinn has announced 100 million dollars for local transportation as part of the Illinois Jobs Now! initiative.  The money is being distributed to counties, townships and cities using the same formula as Motor Fuel Tax.  The money can go for street and bridge maintenance, new traffic signals, bike paths, sidewalk replacements or pothole repairs.

La Salle County is receiving 284 thousand dollars for infrastructure improvements, including 81 thousand to Ottawa, 61 thousand dollars to Streator and 42 thousand dollars apiece for Peru and La Salle.

Bureau County’s piece of the funding pie is 98 thousand dollars.  Princeton is receiving 32 thousand dollars for road improvements while Spring Valley gets 23 thousand.

In Putnam County, 19 thousand dollars is being allotted for improvements with Granville receiving the most cash at six thousand dollars.

Medic Chopper Grounded In Streator

After less than a year in the air, a medical transport helicopter for St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator is being grounded.

Hospital officials announced late last week that “Saints Flight” will discontinue operations this Friday.  St. Mary’s became the first hospital in the Illinois Valley to have its own helicopter and flight transport team when the helicopter went in service this past January.

The owner of the chopper, Air Methods based in Colorado determined that the number of transports so far with the helicopter makes it unsustainable long-term.

Peru furniture store closing by year’s end

The Illinois Valley is loosing a furniture store.  Signs were posted during the weekend announcing Lay’s Home Furnishings in Peru is going out of business.

Tom Lay, store owner, says the reasons for closing are bitter-sweet.  He says his wife and him are going to retired.  He adds that the economy has also played a small role in their decision.

They’ve had a store in Peru for at least 10 years after originally having stores in Princeton and Mendota.

Lay says customers will be able to get the items that they’ve ordered or have on layaway.

He says they plan to be closed by the end of the year.

Man accused of hitting woman and pushing a man off a motorcycle

Charges for a man accused of roughing up a man and woman in Oglesby.  Police say Robert Keenen of Peru pushed a man off of a motorcycle and punched a 19 year old woman in the face, knocking out her front teeth early Sunday morning.

The man and woman were treated and released at Illinois Valley Community Hospital.

Keenen was arrested for aggravated battery and reckless conduct.  He was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Peru officials to consider church’s special use request

A church that’s been holding services in downtown Peru wants special permission to continue meeting there.

Harvest Community Church of the Nazarene has spent several years on 4^th Street.  The area isn’t zoned for churches but it’s received a couple of permits allowing them to be there.

The city council will consider allowing the church to continue being there during their council meeting 7:30pm Monday.

Also tonight, the council could approve a new hire for the public works department.

Law enforcement group gathering in Ottawa

Usually judge retention questions don’t get a lot of attention during election season, but one that will be on the ballot November 2 has vocal supporters and opponents.

A group of law enforcement is getting together at 11am Monday at the Lincoln Douglas monument in Ottawa to show their support for Judge Thomas Kilbride.  Kilbride was recently named to be the next Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.