Peru pool to benefit from concert according to alderman

Fans of the musical group Big Time Rush will help Peru get a new swimming pool.  The musical act will headline one of two Concerts for A Cause this summer.  The cause for that concert will be the Peru swimming pool fund.

The concert series is organized by Merry Noonan of Lou’s LaGrotto and sponsored by La Salle County Broadcasting which includes AM 1220 WLPO, 99.3 WAJK and 96.5 the Wolf.

Peru Alderman Tony Ferrari says he received a call from Noonan saying the concert will be a kids’ concert with proceeds benefiting the pool fund.  The show is scheduled for August 13 at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport.

Another concert scheduled for June 25 features county musicians Trace Adkins and Eric Church.

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LPHS board names next superintendent

The next superintendent of LP H.S. is a familiar face.  The current curriculum director, Steve Wrobleski will take over from Dr. Craig Carter, in July 2012.  Carter is retiring at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

The board of education approved the decision Wednesday.

Wrobleski will be learning the ropes from Carter during the next school year.  Wrobleski is a graduate of LP High School.

Power Outages Affect Illinois Valley

Strong winds overnight caused dozens of people in the area to be without power.

Ameren says the wind knocked down power poles which in turn caused dozens of outages late Wednesday morning in La Salle, Mendota, Troy Grove and Utica.  Power was restored to everyone by three o’clock.

The outage caused Waltham Elementary School in Utica to dismiss at noon.

House Catches Fire Near Downtown La Salle

A house fire was under control in about 20 minutes this afternoon in La Salle.

La Salle firefighters were dispatched to the blaze just after 1:30 this afternoon.  Peru was called in to provide mutual aid.  They had the fire at 237 2^nd Street under control before two o’clock.

No one was injured.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Halvorson Seeking IDOT Job

Your former congresswoman wants a new job with the state.

Debbie Halvorson says she wants to be the director of the Illinois Department of Transportation.  Current IDOT Director Gary Hannig is stepping down at the end of the month.

At a high-speed rail event Tuesday, Governor Pat Quinn told reporters he likes Halvorson but he has someone else in mind for the job.  He didn’t say who is top pick is.

Halvorson lost her job in congress last November to Republican Adam Kinzinger.

Many Area Bridges Have Issues

Ever have an uneasy feeling driving across a bridge?  A new report probably doesn’t help ease the fears.

A coalition called Transportation for America says 8.5 percent of bridges in Illinois are rated structurally deficient according to government standards.  Locally, nearly 14 percent of Bureau County’s 383 bridges are considered structurally deficient.  That’s 11^th highest percentage in Illinois.

The report says 13 percent of Putnam County’s 46 bridges are structurally deficient, which is 16^th highest percentage in Illinois.  In La Salle County, six percent of the 513 bridges are deemed structurally deficient which is in the bottom half of the state.

According to the report, nearly 12 percent of the country’s bridges are deficient.

Six committees working to make La Salle better

A series of community brainstorming meetings in La Salle has several groups working on projects they hope will make the town better.

Six committees have been formed out of the strategic visioning and mapping meetings that were held in February and March.  The most recent meeting was Monday night.  The committees will continue to work on topics such as technology issues, downtown beautification, and attracting businesses.

The meetings were part of a program through Western Illinois University.  La Salle Economic Development Director Don Aleksy says people from Western will continue to work with the committees.  The university is also writing a report that will be presented during a town hall meeting likely in June.

Aleksy says you can still get involved with a committee.  He says the people on board so far are a very progressive and proactive group.

Police search home in Peru

A search of a home in Peru has two men facing minor drug charges but more serious charges could be on the way.

Joseph Welk and Jacob Worsley were arrested for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia after members of the Peru Police Department went through their home on Walnut Street Tuesday afternoon.

Police Chief Doug Bernabei says felony charges are pending because of another substance they found.  That’s been sent to the state police crime lab.

Meanwhile, Welk and Worsley are free after posting bond.

Peru community room to be dedicated to former alderman

An open seat on the Peru City Council will officially be filled.  Jim Lukosus will be sworn in as a fourth ward alderman Wednesday evening.  He replaces Ron Wren who died suddenly in January.

Wren isn’t being forgotten.  Before Lukosus takes the oath, the community room at the municipal building will be dedicated to Wren.

The council will also give props to the Seventh Grade Parkside Volleyball team who were named state champs.

The Peru City Council meets at 7:30pm.

Several Peru candidates share views during meet and greet

Cutting spending, roads, and the swimming pool are some of the issues on the minds of a few aldermen candidates in Peru.  Candidates backed by the Illinois Valley Building Trades were part of a meet and greet at the Maples Super Club in Peru Tuesday evening.

Fourth ward candidate Steve Weberski, second ward candidate James Hurst, third ward candidate Mary Landsiedel, and first ward candidate Mike Radtke were featured.

Radtke, a 34 year old, says if elected it would be his first time in government.  He thinks taking care of the roads is an important issue for people in his ward.  He faces incumbent Jamey Mertel.

In the second ward Hurst faces Rodney Perez and Bob Borostowski.  In the third ward, Landsiedel faces incumbent Dave Waldorf and former alderman Joe Witczak.  In the fourth ward, Weberski faces incumbent Dave Potthoff and Gerry Stachowiak.

The election is April 5.