Peru working on streets program

Getting from one place to another is a bumpy ride in Peru but some of the roads will be repaired when the weather improves.

A few aldermen still need to trim thousands of dollars from the 2011 streets program wish-list.

Streets Chairman Dave Waldorf and City Treasurer have found $900,000 for the project by tapping into the motor fuel tax and motel tax funds and the curb program.

Each ward is allowed $200,000.  Aldermen may also decide to spend money for a couple of blocks of Peoria Street.

The list will be finalized next Wednesday so they can submit their list to IDOT and eventually go out for bids.

La Salle FD Receives Grant

The job of a La Salle firefighter will be made just a little easier thanks to a federal grant.

FEMA is handing out 770 thousand dollars in grants to nine Illinois fire departments including La Salle.  La Salle firefighters are getting a 19 thousand dollar grant for operations and safety.

This money can be spent on things like training, equipment, and modifications to fire stations.

Woman Hurt After Pickup Crash Near Utica

A Utica ambulance was sent to the scene of a pickup truck overturning right before three Monday afternoon.

It happened on East 6^th Road just north of 3150^th Road in Waltham Township.  Scanner reports had the truck upside down with a woman passenger injured.

She was taken to IVCH in Peru.

SUV And Semi Crash

Emergency crews responded to a SUV and semi crash between Sublette and Mendota.

Just after two o’clock, Sublette first responders were called to the crash on Route 52 between Todd and Hinkle Road.  According to a dispatcher, the woman driving the SUV complained of hand and neck pains but doesn’t seem to be seriously hurt.

 

Large Hat Collection Coming To Princeton

A Princeton woman’s unusual collection of more than 700 hats has been put on display at a local arts center.

Julia Cain will speak about her hat collection Wednesday at the Prairie Arts Center. The show is called “Fashion:
The Art of the Hat.” Cain tells the News Tribune that she started collecting hats in the 1970s after buying her first hat on a shopping trip with her college roommates.

Now her collection includes hats, hat stands and hat pins. She says she adds items to her collection at auctions, estate sales and antique stores.

Winter Weather Advisory Continues

Expect a little of everything before the day is over when it comes to wintry weather.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 9p for Bureau and Putnam counties and until 6a for La Salle County.  Snow mixed with sleet, freezing rain and just rain will hit the area at times through the evening hours.

Roads are slick making travel difficult in the advisory area.

Committee To Reshape County Board

With the 2010 U.S. Census in the books, its time to reassign districts for the La Salle County Board.

Five men will be in charge of making sure the 29 districts have the same amount of people.  State statute requires that board members no matter where they live represent the same amount of voters.

The redistricting committee consists of Democrats Jerry Hicks, Joe Savitch and Joe McConville.  Hicks and Savitch are current county board members while McConville used to be on the board.  Republicans on the redistricting committee are Stan Twait and Tom Bruch, both former board members.

The new districts will take effect after the November 2012 election.

Snow affecting travel

Give yourself extra time if you need to drive somewhere today.  Roads are passable but are patchy with snow.

Interstates 80 and 39 in and around La Salle County are patchy according to IDOT.  Less traveled roads could be in worse shape.

Click here to see IDOT’s statewide road condition map.

Peru seeking easements for feeder loop

A project that would make electric service in Peru more reliable has hit a wall.  The city wants to complete a loop that would connect two substations on the west side.  But before they do, they need easements from seven landowners.  They’ve been able to reach agreements with only five.

Electric supervisor Jim Potthoff says the project would close the missing link and create redundancy.

The city council could give their attorney Doug Schweickert the permission to move forward with legal action to get the easements.

The Peru City Council meets at 7:30pm Monday.

Area school superintendent prepares for moment of silence

A law requiring a daily moment of silence in schools is in force again causing questions for area school superintendents.  Dr. Kristin School is in her first year as superintendent of the Mendota Elementary Schools. Dr. School admits it’s difficult when such a law is under federal injunction and its future is undetermined.  It’s not easily administered.

Dr. School says the district likely will take a few days to study and implement the law.  A federal appeals court  ruled the law constitutional because it doesn’t specify prayer.