Princeton Bomb Threat Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

Not guilty is the plea of a Princeton man arrested for one bomb threat and the prime suspect in another.

Kristopher Watson entered the plea yesterday in Bureau County Court.  He was arrested last week for allegedly phoning in a bomb threat last month to AmericInn saying there was a bomb at the Princeton Burger King.  Just before he was arrested, someone called Culver’s in Princeton warning there was a bomb to blow up the Burger King where he worked along with McDonalds.  Watson is considered the number one suspect in that threat since officers say they were able to trace a call back to his phone.

Watson is in the Bureau County Jail on 50 thousand dollars bond.

Appreciation dinner planned for Westclox emergency responders

The fire at Westclox in Peru had hundreds of area firefighters and emergency responders putting in long hours with not a lot of compensation.  Hopefully they’ll appreciate a plate of chicken and spaghetti.

Emergency personnel from the 40 departments that responded to the New Years Eve fire are invited to an appreciation dinner Sunday, February 5 at the Peru Eagles.

The City of Peru will be picking up some of the bill while many people will be donating money towards the cost.

Streator Woman Accused Of Taking Two-Year Old To Drug Deal

There are a lot of things you shouldn’t do with a two year old.  Taking them with to deal drugs is probably high on the list of no-no’s.

Jaleigh Grasty of Streator was arrested Friday in Stark County for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.  She and a man from Iowa and a woman from Kewanee are accused of selling cocaine to an undercover agent.

When Grasty’s car was pulled over, investigators say her two-year old daughter was inside.  The daughter was taken by the DCFS.

Grasty then told police her 9-month old was being watched at a hotel in Kewanee by a man wanted on two warrants including one in Bureau County for failing to appear for driving with a suspended license.  The baby was also taken by the DCFS.

Grasty was taken to the Stark County Jail on 40 thousand dollars bond.

Controversy Surrounds Ottawa Man’s Death

A coroner’s jury weighed in on the death of an Ottawa man who police say died after jumping into a river to escape.

The jury ruled yesterday that 51 year old Joseph Engel’s death was accidental.  He died late November at Ottawa Regional Hospital after rescuers pulled him out of the Fox River and started CPR.

Investigators say Engle jumped in the river after an officer pulled him over for a warrant.  The officer says Engle bit him on the hand when he tried to put handcuffs on.  Engle eventually jumped over a wall and into the river.

Engle’s family disputes the story and plan to file a civil suit.

Carus Has Thoughts Of Expansion

When a business expands, it means more workers.  When there are more workers, more parking is usually needed.

Carus Corporation is asking the La Salle City Council to vacate an alley, let them put up a six-foot tall chain link fence and restrict parking on both sides of Sterling Street between 8^th and 9^th Streets.  Their plant manager says they want to have a new employee area separated from truck traffic at the plant.  And maybe more importantly, the changes are geared towards the company expanding.

The city council passed along all the requests to city committees.  Alderman Boo Herndon says they want to honor those who expand and employ more people.

LP Foundation seeking “celebrity waiters” for annual fundraiser

You don’t have to be a celebrity to raise money for LP High School, just a fan of theme parties and food.  Planning is underway for the LP Foundation’s Fifth annual Celebrity Waiter Dinner.

You and a friend can host a table complete with a theme, costumes and fundraising games and ideas.  And while you would be a waiter, you wouldn’t have to wait on anyone because it’s a buffet dinner.

The dinner is Saturday, February 18 at 6pm at Senica’s Oak Ridge.  It’s $30 a person or $240 for a table of eight.  If you would like to host a table or just attend as a guest, call the high school.

2012 street program up for discussion in Peru

A half-cent sales tax increase has been added to receipts in Peru.  Money generated from the tax increase is supposed to pay for road improvements.  You’ll find out Wednesday night if your road is included in the 2012 street program.

The city council will look over the plans before putting it out for bid tonight.  They meet at 7:30pm.

IEPA concerned about asbestos in former Westlcox building

A material that was once used for fire proofing is the primary environmental concern at the Westclox building in Peru.  Inspectors with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will be looking for asbestos.  A New Years Eve fire destroyed the old factory’s middle building.

Maggie Carson with the Illinois EPA says a field inspector performed a preliminary walk through Tuesday.  She says any asbestos in the rubble would need to be disposed of separately from other debris.

They’ll also be investigating water runoff.