Peru decreases tax levy request

A drop in property values means less property tax money in Peru.  A tax levy approved Wednesday night is less than one that was placed on file earlier this month.  What changed?  The gross value of property in Peru is estimated to decline by  $5.1 million.  Meaning the city can expect a lower EAV.

City Treasurer Gary Hylla says the information isn’t available to figure how much EAV will actually be.

The city was planning a levy request that was just over $1 million, a nearly $47,000 increase over the 2009.  But the request approved Wednesday night is for $999,150.

The Peru Public Library fund will no longer see a levy increase, but more money will be going into the Police Pension fund.

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Waltham Searching For New Principal

Applications are now being accepted to become principal at Waltham Elementary School in Utica.

Current Principal Jason Hamann is leaving the post at the end of this week.  He’s moving back to his old home in the Quad-Cities because of family issues.  Hamann has been principal at Waltham for over four years.

According to the job posting, applications will be accepted thru January 21^st with the new principal to officially start July 1^st.

Snowstorm Arrives

You’ll have to shovel the walks this morning.

A Winter Weather Advisory continues for the entire listening area until noon.  The National Weather Service says snow should diminish to flurries by noon.

Accumulation amounts are expected to be 3 to 5 inches.

La Salle Nursing Home Changing Names

When the New Year hits, there will no longer be a La Salle Healthcare.  The name of the nursing facility will change to Heritage Manor of La Salle.

Heritage Enterprises of Bloomington is taking over ownership of La Salle Healthcare.  Heritage Enterprises runs Heritage Manors in Peru, Streator and Mendota.

Lori Walsh will stay on managing the La Salle nursing home.  Caroline Daugherity runs Heritage Manor in Peru and will assume duties of overall market manager for the Illinois Valley area.

Daugherity says she’s aiming to make the transition as smooth as possible for all involved.

Rezin Takes The Oath

Sue Rezin is officially your 38^th District state senator.

The 47-year old Republican from Morris was sworn into office last night at the Grundy County Courthouse in Morris.  She takes over midterm for Gary Dahl who resigned on Friday.

Rezin has managed her family’s real estate company for 16 years and has served as president of the Nettle Creek School Board.  Her husband Keith runs Rezin Orthopedics and Sports Medicine.

Rezin and the rest of the state senate will be back in Springfield on January 4^th.

Ottawa Willing To Pay For Energy Efficient Buildings

To keep their downtown intact and hopefully stimulate new home building, the city of Ottawa is ready to dole out grant funding.

The city has received a 135 thousand dollar Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to establish an energy incentive program.  The city has to come up with a 25 percent local match.

Mayor Bob Eschbach says they’ll split the money between building or business owners in the downtown historic district to make buildings more energy efficient and to new homebuilders whose homes exceed energy standards.  The money can be used for things like heating, lighting and windows.

North Central Illinois Council of Governments administered the grant for Ottawa.  Ben Wilson from NCICG says Ottawa is one of the few places using the money to help taxpayers instead of fixing up city-owned buildings.

Food pantry prepares to provide 675 families with Christmas meals

You have 10 days left to prepare for a Christmas feast.  At the Illinois Valley Food Pantry in La Salle, they’re preparing to provide 675 families with Christmas meals.

Donna Hess is the pantry’s executive directer.  She says the Christmas menu is similar to the Thanksgiving offering including hams, turkeys, and potatoes .

Wednesday is the last day families can sign up to be part of the Illinois Valley Food Pantry Christmas distribution.  The distribution will be from 10am-3pm Saturday.

Interest strong in Peru City Council elections

Interest in being on the Peru City Council is strong.  10 people, including a few current aldermen, turned in election petitions Monday morning, the first day they could be filed.

Each ward has a seat up for grabs.  Mike Radtke will be challenging alderman Jamey Mertel in the 1^st ward.  In the 2^nd ward, Rodney Perez, Bob Borostowski, and Jim Hurst have filed petitions.

Former alderman Joe Witzak and newcomer Mary Landsiedel are challenging current alderman Dave Waldorf in the 3^rd ward.

The 4^th ward has incumbent Dave Potthoff running against Steve Weberski.

More petitions could be on the way.  The deadline to file is Monday at 5pm.  A lottery is being held next Tuesday morning to determine ballot position.

Former employee accused of burglarizing Ottawa restaurant

Investigators think a former employee could be the one who broke into a restaurant in Ottawa.

James Reynolds of Ottawa was indicted last week for burglary.  Police think he broke into the New Chalet Restaurant in late October, stealing money and other items.

Reynolds was already in jail for an unrelated charge.  His bond has been set at $15,000.

LP High School begins final exams

Were your teens hitting the books last night?  LP High School holds their first final exam period Wednesday afternoon.  Classes will dismiss at the normal time.

Thursday and Friday classes will be on the final exam schedule with school dismissing at 11:55am.

Christmas break runs until January 4.