Man Turns Himself In After High Speed Chase

A man who got away from police during a high speed chase Tuesday evening, turned himself in yesterday.

During a routine traffic stop Tuesday on 6^th Avenue in Mendota, the officer told Jose Garcia he was driving with a suspended license.  Garcia then allegedly drove away, leading police through downtown Mendota and then onto Route 251 through Peru.  Before turning on Route 6 in downtown Peru, Garcia allegedly hit another car.  The chase was called off before Garcia turned into downtown Peru.

Yesterday, he walked into the Mendota Police Station and turned himself in.  He was arrested for aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to report an accident.  More charges are pending against Garcia.

He was taken to the county jail.

Area Senator Bashes Governor’s Budget Speech

State Senator Sue Rezin came away less than impressed with Governor Pat Quinn’s budget address.

The republican from Morris says it’s a “vicious circle” of more borrowing, spending, and taxing.  Rezin says Quinn plans to spend more than the state brings in and depend on borrowing money to make up the difference.  She accuses Quinn of not understanding the value of living within means.

Rezin promises the governor’s proposal to borrow nine million dollars is “dead on arrival” in the senate.  At the same time, she says her and other senate republicans are prepared to work with the governor on verifying cuts and adopting a balanced budget.

Peru Schools Doing Weekly Early Dismissals

Starting next school year, students at Peru Elementary Schools will have a built-in early dismissal every week.

The district school board approved next year’s school calendar that includes early dismissal every Wednesday.  Parkside Elementary will dismiss at 2, Washington School at 2:05 and Northview at 2:15.  The staggered dismissal times are an attempt to help parents pick up kids at the different schools.

Superintendent Mark Cross says the extra time creates more time for administration and staff to work on their school improvement plan.  He says all the parents and staff he has talked to are supportive of the weekly early dismissal.

While the district will keep teacher institute days next year, Cross says they will only have one noon dismissal day on the first day of school.

River levels expected to rise

The melting snow has to go somewhere and a lot of that snow-melt is finding its way to the Illinois River.  Forecasters with the National Weather Service say that could lead to minor flooding along the Illinois River at La Salle.  A flood warning has been issued.

They expect the river to rise from late Friday night through Monday morning.  They think the river will rise above flood stage early Saturday.

There’s a flood advisory for the Fox River at Dayton.

Call center calls the Peru Mirror Building home

The next time you call a customer service number, you may end up talking to someone in Peru.  Yes, the city not the country.

A 24-hour call center has set up shop on the third floor of the Mirror Building in downtown Peru.  The I-Call office acts as a third-party call center for five companies.  It has 35 employees, most of them part-time.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the business was held this morning.

Classical concert features area’s best young performers

Some of the most talented young musicians perform tomorrow evening at The Hegeler Carus Mansion.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra Young Performers Competition Honors Recital features the 1st Runner Up and Honorable mention winners.

The concert is at 5:45pm Friday.  If you’re interested in attending, call the mansion.

Failing asbestos-containing tiles a problem at LPHS

Old asbestos-containing floor tiles at a building at LP High School are crumbling.  And it’s a problem that will need to be remedied this summer.

Bob Johnson, the architect hired by LP, estimates the cost at nearly $40,000.  He explained the situation to the school board Wednesday night.

Other summer projects planned for the high school total $1,048,000.  They include ventilator replacement and improvements to the wrestling room.

Celebrity Waiter Dinner to raise money for LPHS programs

Looking for a reason to get out of the house Saturday night?  The LP High School Foundation for Educational Enrichment Celebrity Waiter Dinner features food, raffles and entertainment.

Money raised goes to the foundation, which helps school programs and teachers buy classroom items.  Tickets are $30.  It runs from 6-pm-9pm Saturday at Senica’s Oak Ridge.  If you’re interested, call LP High School.