Peru says goodbye to aldermen while welcoming new members

Two veteran aldermen and two newbies took the Peru City Council oath of office.  Judge Cynthia Raccuglia led the ceremony that was held before a standing-room only crowd Monday night.

New First Ward Alderman Mike Radtke and Second Ward Alderman Rodney Perez took their seats along with Third Ward Alderman Dave Waldorf and Fourth Ward Alderman Dave Potthoff.  His re-election earlier this month makes Potthoff the most senior current council member.

Before the new members could be seated the council gave thanks to outgoing aldermen Jack O’Beirne who opted to not run for another term after serving 24 years in ward two and Jamey Mertel who lost his re-bid after severing eight years in ward two.

Dog pull looses support of Peru City Council

Foes of dog pulling have been successful in getting the First Annual Pull for Humanity booted out of Peru.

Nearly three weeks after telling dog pull organizer Tom Rodriguez who could used Baker Lake on Saturday, May 14, the city council Monday night went back on their vote.

Rodriguez was in the audience with his attorney, Louis Bertrand.  He said he would agree to move it to Wiggley Field and to not allow non-competing dogs, but he insisted it follow Iron Dog guidelines.  It would have had the proper insurance.

Before the vote, City Clerk Dave Bartley told the council that Rodriguez was basically complying and that an area veterinarian had volunteered to attend.

Still, the council voted six to two on two motions determining the event’s fait.  Aldermen Joe Mikyska and Bob Ankiewicz were the two votes in favor of the event.

A few aldermen said they don’t think dog pulls are harmful to dogs, just that the people of Peru didn’t want it.  Mayor Harl said they had received more calls on this topic than the indoor and outdoor pools combined.

Injuries After Car And Motorcycle Collide

Spring Valley firefighters and ambulance crews were dispatched to a motorcycle and car crash this afternoon.

The 911 call came in at 3:45 with at least two people injured.  The crash happened at the intersection of 3^rd and Spalding Streets.

The people injured were taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital.

Jobs A Concern With Blagojevich Jury Candidates

CHICAGO (AP) – Uncertainty about the economy and jobs has some prospective jurors worried about serving on the jury in ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s federal corruption case.

In Monday afternoon questioning by the judge presiding over the case, two prospective jurors suggested serving on a jury for several weeks would hurt their jobs. One man told Judge James Zagel that his small advertising firm would suffer if he wasn’t around – saying he talks to roughly 30 clients a day. He hinted his business is struggling, acknowledging he has fewer employees than he did a year ago.

A nurse is asking the judge that her jury duty be delayed because the hospital where she works is closing and she needs to be re-trained to find a job at another hospital.

Canal Boat Almost Open For Business

Assuming there’s no major flooding, the La Salle Canal Boat’s fourth season kicks off next Tuesday.

Larry and Moe, the mules pulling the boat were scheduled to return Tuesday to the Lock 14 site.  They spend the off-season at the Little Vermilion Boarding Stables.

The boat will operate Tuesday through Saturday until the end of October.  There are three rides a day.  Tickets are available at the Lock 16 Visitor’s Center in downtown La Salle.

Crash Effects Traffic Near Princeton

One person was hurt after a crash Monday afternoon near Princeton.

State Police and Princeton EMS were called about a one-car crash just after 2:30 on westbound Interstate 80.  The car was on the interstate about three miles west of Princeton.

The name of the person hurt wasn’t released.

I-80 Overpass In Utica Coming Down

Weather permitting, the Route 178 overpass in Utica is about to get a whole lot messier to drive through or around.

If the rain stops, construction crews plan to start removing the existing overpass Tuesday evening.  Crews will remove the bridge deck and beams from 6pm until 6am Tuesday thru Thursday.

Each night the bridge is being torn down, all I-80 traffic has to exit at the Utica interchange.  Flaggers will direct interstate traffic through the work zone using the ramps.

Search on for unbiased jurors in Blagojevich case

CHICAGO (AP) – The judge in Rod Blagojevich’s corruption retrial has begun questioning jurors during the second full day of jury selection.

First up was a woman who’s a Navy veteran, who says she didn’t pay much attention to the case when it first came to trial last year.

Judge James Zagel and attorneys are trying to find jurors who can put aside personal feelings and give the impeached former Illinois governor a fair trial.

On the way into the courthouse, Blagojevich held up a briefcase and said he’ll be “working” Monday. He denies charges that he sought to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama’s old U.S. Senate seat.

Zagel is expected to individually question up to 40 more people out of a pool of more than 100 potential jurors.

Swearing-in of new council members in Peru

The newest members of the Peru City Council will be sworn in Monday night.  Judge Cynthia Raccuglia will be on hand to administer the oaths to new first ward alderman Mike Radtke and second ward alderman Rodney Perez.

Radtke beat out incumbent Jamey Mertel during the election earlier this month, meanwhile Perez beat out James Hurst and Bob Borostowski for the seat.  Jack O’Beirne has held the post for many years but chose to not run for another term.

Aldermen Dave Potthoff and Dave Waldorf will also be sworn in after being re-elected their wards.

Prior to the swearing-in, there will be a public hearing for the budget at 7:15pm.

Illinois River levels falling

The Illinois River is falling but a flood warning continues for La Salle and Bureau Counties.  At last check early Monday morning, the river was more than three feet over flood stage.