Peru mayor says there was nothing wrong with the city’s water supply during fire

Low or no water pressure was one of the annoyances brought on by the Westclox fire.  Early Sunday morning, people on the south side of Peru complained that they had no water pressure as a dozen tanker trucks tapped fire hydrants across town.

Peru Mayor Scott Harl says there was nothing wrong with the city’s water lines and the drop of pressure would have happened anywhere there was a major fire.  Harl says it wouldn’t have mattered if they had a new main running from the water tower.

Fire crews launched another strike on the fire Monday.  A large portion of the middle building was still on fire.

Stabbing In Mendota

Very little information has been released regarding a stabbing in Mendota.

Mendota Police say a fight broke out Friday night in the 600 block of 11th Avenue. During the fight, a person was stabbed. That person was taken to Mendota Community Hospital and released the next day.

The stabbing is under investigation by the Mendota PD and La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Brief Scare Overnight Of Westclox Fire Spreading

There was a brief scare overnight at the Westclox fire scene.

Firefighters on the scene put out a call to others that the fire may spread to the back building. The fire ending up not spreading and Peru Fire Chief Jeff King says they no longer fear the fire will spread to the building’s rear.

The middle of the three buildings is still burning today. King says plastic materials and carpeting are some of the things on fire.

Firefighters Still Attempting To Knockdown Westclox Fire

The fire continues inside the old Westclox building and so does the work of area fire departments.  Peru Fire Chief Jeff King says they’re making another attack on the middle building that’s been burning strong since late Saturday night.

The area that’s burning was a recycling business packed with plastics and carpet.  Part of that building has collapsed.  As recently as early Monday morning, they feared the fire could spread to the rear building but they no longer think that will happen.  King says the rear building is filled with baking machinery.

Tankers, engines and aerial trucks were brought in from neighboring towns late Monday morning.  Some streets near Route 6 and the building are blocked off so they can get through.  Avoid that area if you can.  King believes they’ll be there most of today into tonight.

Baby New Year Arrives Sunday Night At IVCH

A woman really familiar with the surroundings gave birth to the first baby of 2012 at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

Jemile Cook delivered a baby boy at 6:46 Sunday evening. James Nolan Cook weighs nine pounds and seven ounces. He’s 21 ½ inches long.

His mom is an occupational therapist at the IVCH Center for Physical Rehabilitation and Aquatics. She and the dad Anthony live in Morris.