Peru hires a special attorney to handle TIF lawsuit

A disagreement over a TIF district in Peru will have lawyers representing the city, Dimmick School District and La Salle County in court Tuesday.

The Peru City Council Monday night hired Mike Reagan of Ottawa to represent them in the case.

At issue is a TIF district that includes many of the run-down motels on May Road in Peru and the new Holiday Inn.  The school and county believe the new hotel should not have been included in the TIF.

LPHS superintendent to retire at the end of June

Officials at LP High School new they would have a change of superintendent soon they just didn’t think it would be as soon as July 1.

Dr. Craig Carter has decided to retire at the end of June instead of next June.  The change of plans means Steven Wrobleski, the school’s curriculum director, will become the superintendent July 1.  The school board approved Wrobleski as Carter’s successor in March.  Wrobleski would have spent the next school year as assistant superintendent in addition to his regular duties.

The school board approved the change during a special meeting Monday.

School Board President Jim Quesse says Carter will be around mentor Wrobleski, preparing him for the position.  He says the change will actually save the district money.  The position of curriculum director has been posted.

Wallace Elementary student earns a science award

Science fair can be a lot of work, but sometimes it can be rewarding.  Alex Chovan, a student at Wallace Grade School, earned second place in the junior division at the State Science Exposition.  His project was titled “Future Fuel” in the environmental science category.

The expo was Saturday in Champaign and was sponsored by the Illinois EPA.  Chovan was one of four students to receive the Environmental Excellence Award.

I-80 Stretch Closing In Bureau County

You may want to avoid Interstate 80 completely tonight between Princeton and Spring Valley.

Starting at 8 tonight, the interstate will be closed to traffic until around 6 Tuesday morning between Interstate 180 and Route 89.  Traffic will be detoured at Route 89 and I-180 and taken onto Route 6.  Crews are removing and replacing overhead signs on I-80.

The closure is dependent on the rain.

Harley And SUV Crash In Spring Valley

A Harley rider was hurt during a crash in Spring Valley.

Larry Dudley of Granville was taken to St. Margaret’s Hospital after colliding with the SUV of teenage driver David Lule of Spring Valley.  The crash happened Friday afternoon on West Dakota Street.

Lule wasn’t hurt but was ticketed for failing to yield.

Man wanted for murder arrested by U.S. Marshalls

The final person investigators plan to arrest for a killing in Ottawa last week is behind bars.  U.S. Marshalls arrested Joshua Ward of Ottawa in a Chicago suburb Sunday.

Ward along with his brother Jason of Aurora, Jamie Lomeli of Ottawa and Luis Lomeli of Sheridan are accused of killing Darrio Hunter during a robbery last Monday morning.

The four are being held in the La Salle County Jail.  Another woman was arrested because police say she helped destroy evidence.

Death Closes City Hall

City hall in Marseilles will close for part of Tuesday to observe a funeral.

City Clerk Jackie Spencer’s husband Rod died Friday in Peoria.  In respect to the family, Marseilles City Hall is closed from 10:30 until 1:30 Tuesday.

Services for Rod Spencer are with Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles.

Dry Period Lowers River Level

For the first time in May, the Illinois River is back below flood stage in La Salle.

The river fell below the 20 foot flood stage just before midnight last night.  It’s now at 19.8 feet and expected to continue falling.

The Illinois at Henry also fell below flood stage Sunday afternoon.