Four-semi crash kills driver from Evergreen Park

A semi truck accident that forced eastbound traffic on Interstate 80 to be detoured for several hours killed a driver from Evergreen Park.

Investigators say Charles Peterlin was pronounced dead at the scene.  Police say he rear-ended a semi that had been stopped because of another accident near the La Salle and Grundy County line.  It happened just before 7am Friday.

Police say it started a series of accidents.  Another driver, Wesley Beauchem of Chana was treated and released from Morris Hospital.

The road reopened shortly before 1pm.

Kid Rock to perform at “Concerts for a Cause”

The next Lou’s LaGratto Concert for a Cause will be a little bit country and a little be rap rock.  Kid Rock has been booked to perform Friday, July 13 at Illinois Valley Regional Airport.  This according to LaGrotto’s Facebook page.

The pizza parlor in Peru has been sponsoring concerts for several years with a percentage of the proceeds going to local schools and charities.  No word yet on which cause will benefit from this show.

Tickets go on sale April 14.

Alvarado found guilty during murder retrial

Another guilty verdict for James Alvarado of Streator.  A jury Friday afternoon  convicted the 45 year old of murder for the 2006 shooting death of his wife Angela.  A jury in 2007 took only a half hour to convict Alvarado of murdering her and he was given 45 years in prison.  However an appellate court eventually gave him a new trial.

The second trial started Tuesday in La Salle County with closing arguments finishing late Friday morning.  Sentencing will be May 3.

Easter Carnival offered for children in Ottawa

The flowers are blooming and the grass is green, both are signs that Easter is approaching.  You can let your children enjoy the Easter season at the Second Annual Easter Carnival Saturday in Ottawa.

It’s hosted by the La Salle County LEO’s in Walsh Park.   There will be games and prizes for kids including bunny hop races, bunny bags and pluck a duck.

Booths and activities start at 11am.  A free Easter egg hunt is at 1pm.

EB I-80 reopens after fatal crash

Eastbound traffic is back to normal on Interstate 80.  The road reopened shortly before 1pm Friday after being closed most of Friday morning after a pair of semi truck accidents near the La Salle and Grundy County line.  One crash left a driver dead.

Police haven’t yet said what caused the crashes or who was involved.  More when it’s made available.

Weather Helping Construction At IVCC

Drive by Illinois Valley Community College these days and it looks like one big construction site.

Thanks to warmer weather and little rain, IVCC President Jerry Corcoran says construction is ahead of schedule for the new 80 thousand square foot Peter Miller Community Technology Center.  It’s supposed to open in early 2014.

Corcoran says students and staff started using a new entrance this week and the Cultural Centre is now closed because of construction.  Crews plan to start drilling on over 190 geothermal wells early next month.

The technology center is costing well over 20 million dollars.  It’ll have nine career programs inside it along with student services like admissions and financial aid offices.

Cheerleading Spat At Hall High School

Why put a limit on the number of cheerleaders when you’re trying to promote school spirit?  That was the gist of a letter written by parents to Hall High School officials.

The Newstribune reports that parents Jessie and Wendy Edington were upset officials wouldn’t allow two extra girls on the varsity squad after 12 girls tried out.  The squad had recently been trimmed down to 10 kids.  But the parents say the school used to have a larger squad and they already have the uniforms.  School board members heard the letter Wednesday but the majority of the board didn’t want to talk about it.

The decision to limit the squad to 10 was made by assistant principal and athletic director Eric Bryant and cheerleading sponsor Donna Janusick.   Coincidently, Janusick’s resignation was accepted during the meeting.

Good Chance Freezing Temperatures Will Happen Soon

Don’t be upset or surprised if there is a night of below freezing temperatures in the near future.

While record high temperatures have been shattered across the listening area in the last couple weeks, the National Weather Service in Chicago says the chance remains high for freezing temperatures.  According to past numbers, the average last date of freezing temperatures in Ottawa is April 21^st.  The earliest final freeze has been March 27^th with the latest freeze happening May 29^th.

Low temperatures could be in the 40s next week but still well above average for March.

Accused Murderer Takes The Stand

A murder retrial involving a Streator man could soon be sent to a jury.

James Alvarado testified in his own defense Thursday in La Salle County Court saying he didn’t mean to shoot and kill his wife Angela back in 2006.  Instead he pointed a gun at her to get her to fess up about an affair and when she did, he blacked out and didn’t remember shooting her once.  The prosecution believes he shot his wife on purpose.

A jury in his first trial also believed that and convicted him of murder while only deliberating for a half hour.  An appellate court later gave Alvarado a new trial.  Both sides agreed to the first verdict wouldn’t come up during the current trial in front of the jury.

The trial continues this morning in Ottawa.