Peru Library to hold an open house

It’s National Library Week and to celebrate the Peru Public Library would like you to stop by.

At an open house Wednesday you’ll be able to meet staff and library board members, see the new circulation desk and other changes they’ve made.

The open house goes from 11am until 7pm.

“Arsenic” auditions in Streator

Community Players of Streator are going to put their spin on the well-known “Arsenic and Old Lace” story the last two weekends in June. However, auditions are 2pm this coming Saturday and Sunday at the theatre. Fourteen roles will be cast – many for characters in their 50’s. Scripts are available at Commercial Fast Print in Streator or by contacting the director, Joe Ennenbach. Anyone can come try out for a role. Season tickets for the six shows this year are forty dollars. Get more information on their website: engle lane dot org. Engle Lane is also on Facebook.

Ottawa man accused of selling drugs

An Ottawa man’s successful drug trade was based partially on several purchases made by law enforcement in the past several weeks. Ultimately, it lead to his arrest Friday at Route 71 and Champlain streets. TRIDENT charged 54-year old James Merrritte with unlawful delivery of heroin and cocaine – a Class one Felony. The area drug fighting team had been watching Merritt and purchased under15 grams of heroin and Cocaine from him Friday in a restaurant parking lot at Route 71 and I-80. Ottawa Police and the County Sheriff’s office assisted in the arrest. Merritte was taken to LaSalle County jail.

Unseasonably warm weather

An unseasonably warm air mass today is making people think swimming and cookouts. The National Weather Service is forecasting strong winds and temperatures at ninety degrees. This out-of-place summer weather will also include thunderstorms before 1AM tonite – some of which could be severe. The Weather Service has an additional note of caution. The high temperatures and winds will contribute to a heightened grass fire danger across the Illinois Valley.

Franklin Park marijuana seized

Authorities say they’ve seized three tons of marijuana worth an estimated $27 million from a truck in the western Chicago suburb of Franklin Park. The drugs were found Friday morning by the Will County Cooperative Police Assistance Team, which includes members of the FBI, Illinois State Police and suburban departments. Authorities say they also recovered a handgun and ammunition. No arrests have been made in the case yet.

IVAR Auction results

People love pets – whether they have a home or are in need of one. That’s what one might conclude judging from the total money taken in during IVAR’s annual auction. Grand Bear Lodge hosted the event Saturday night. Chris Elberg of IVAR estimates between 35 and forty thousand dollars was collected Saturday night. Final totals will be known a bit later. Elberg estimates the new total was likely ten thousand dollars better than the 2010 auction.

Easter Seals telethon

Did you watch the annual local telethon for Easter Seals last night? The four hour event unfolded in Ottawa High School auditorium and is actually closes a year of fundraising starting in May 2010. The year long total announced Saturday night was 2-hundred fifteen thousand 8-hundred thirteen dollars. Easter Seals has several fundraisers between telethons including the annual “Walk with Me” and the local version of “Dancing with the Stars”.