Big Time Rush concert raised $27,000 for Peru Pool Fund

Area kids sure went wild for the band Big Time Rush when they performed in Peru.  Hopefully those kids will be just as excited when a new pool is built in Peru.

The concert on August 13 has given the pool fund an extra $27,000.  Merry Noonan with Lou’s LaGrotto was the force behind the show and the Concerts for a Cause series which brought two performances to the Illinois Valley Regional Airport this summer.

The concert was sponsored by 99.3 WAJK.

The pool fund is up to an estimated $62,000.

Oglesby utility taxes increasing

Now is a good time to start practicing energy conservation in Oglesby.  Utility taxes are about to be increased to make up for money lost when the cement plant stopped producing.

Buzzi Unicem’s high electricity demand helped the city keep the costs down for people living in town, but with the cement plant no longer producing, the city’s left with a whole to fill.

The city council agreed Monday to raise the Ameren and telecommunication taxes from 2% to 5%.  The electricity tax will go from 2% to 6%.  Mayor Don Finley says it’s what the state law will allow them to do.

The decision needs be held over for a final vote next Tuesday evening.

Peru sales tax increase approved

Money for roads and sewers beat out the risk of loosing shoppers and businesses with the approval of a half-cent sales tax increase in Peru.  The proposal had the council Monday night.

Alderman Dave Potthoff was the most outspoken against it, saying a tax increase would put Peru at a competitive disadvantage.  He thinks it will make people want to shop online or in other towns.  He also thinks it could lead to businesses leaving for towns with lower sales tax.

Mayor Scott Harl had been pushing for the tax increase all summer.  He says Peru’s situation wasn’t hurt when the council created a half-cent sales tax in 2007 for Parkside School.

Potthoff, Bob Ankiewicz, Tony Ferrari, and Dave Waldorf voted against the increase, but were out numbered when Harl’s yes vote broke a tie.

The sales tax will begin January 1.  It will be collected in a restricted fund designated for road and sewer projects.

Illinois National Guard troops to help with Irene

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois National Guard troops are heading east to help out in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

Illinois Radio Network reports that the troops got word Saturday to be ready to move out if needed. IRN says about 160 troops will be on the East Coast to provide assistance. About 90 of those were dispatched from a base in Ohio, while others in Chicago, Decatur and Peoria also got the call.

Initially, about 1,000 troops were put on stand-by, but most have now been told to stand down.

The governor’s office says New York has agreed to reimburse Illinois

Walk, Run, Bike for Red Cross expected to reach goal

The weather was perfect for the Walk, Run, Bike for the Red Cross.  More than 200 people were at Baker Lake Sunday helping to raise about $33,000.  Once all the team money is in, organizers think they’ll reach their goal of $35,000.

Peru council to vote on sales tax increase tonight

The roads in Peru need a lot of work but is it worth an increase in sales tax?  That’s what city council members will have to answer when they vote on the half a cent increase tonight.

Mayor Scott Harl and many people in town think the tax increase is the best way to raise money to fix roads and sewers.  Others say the question should be on the ballot for voters.

The Peru City Council meets at 7:30pm.

Man accused of crashing, leaving Corvette in grain field

You’re just asking to get arrested if you leave your car at the scene of the crash.  Jeremy Estes of Streator was arrested Sunday after his 2000 Chevy Corvette was found crashed in a grain field in Ottercreek Township.

He was arrested for leaving the scene and not reporting a crash and was released after posting bond.

Police say alcohol involved in ATV crash

An ATV might seem like a toy but it’s not.  A man from Elburn is being treated for injuries after an ATV crash police think involved alcohol.

It happened Sunday evening in Mission Township.  Police say Timothy Schultz of Elburn and Brandon Krueger of Sandwich crashed.  Krueger was left with minor injuries but Schultz had to be flown out of Valley West Hospital in Sandwich to another hospital.  His condition was not available.

He was arrested for DUI and careless operation of an ATV.