Peru to increase liquor license fees

Liquor stores and businesses with liquor departments in Peru will be paying more for an annual liquor license.  The fee for a license increases from $100 to $400 May 1.  If the business is a large box store it will have to pay $750.

The city council approved the fee hike Wednesday night.  Alderman Rodney Perez was the only alderman who didn’t support it saying the increase was too stiff.

Shirley King to headline Ottawa’s wine and jazz festival

Blues royalty will once again headline the music lineup at the Ottawa Two Rivers Wine and Jazz Festival.

Shirley King, daughter of B.B. King returns to Ottawa for a second straight wine and jazz festival performance.  She’ll hit the stage Saturday, June 9^th.  Other regional jazz acts will play June 8^th and the 10^th.

Thousands turned out to downtown Ottawa for last year’s event and this year it’s being extended from two to three days.  Besides music there will be food, over 20 wineries and a botanical fair.

One day tickets are $15.  You can get a three-day pass for $25.

Pilkington to cut 60 employees

A drop in demand and orders for glass has 60 people being laid off in Ottawa.  Pilkington North America announced the cuts Tuesday.

They say they’re doing it because of the continuing difficult market environment in the glass industry.  The lay-offs begin June 2.

Dreamwave Wrestlings prepares for 3rd Anniversary

Wholesome usually isn’t a word used to describe wrestling, with it’s good guys and bad guys, body slams and costumes.  High-energy family fun might be a better way to describe the wrestling matches that happen monthly in downtown La Salle.

Dreamwave Wresting, the creation of Jay Repsel, celebrates its third anniversary Saturday with a world championship.  He says the fans, which come in all ages, cheer for their favorite wrestlers.

Repesel is expecting a packed house.  He says they’ve already learned how many people can squeeze into the Knights of Columbus.

When it started in 2009, Repsel says they brought in wrestling legends from the 1980’s but have found that fans are more interested in the regulars, the lesser know names.

Repsel compares Dreamwave to a baseball minor league affiliate.  Some of the wrestlers are doing it as a hobby, but many are trying to grow their career.

The anniversary show is Saturday at the La Salle K of C.  Doors open at 6pm.  An interview with Repsel is available at the AM 1220 WLPO news page.

Liquor licenses and aldermen-at large questions up for discussion in Peru

You have plenty of choices when looking to get a beer in Peru.  Whether it is a 24-pack from the store or a cocktail with dinner, if you’re selling it, you need a liquor license.  The cost of getting a license could be increasing.

The Peru City Council has talked about a few ideas.  They could agree on new fees Wednesday.

You could also have a chance to change the way aldermen are elected to the council.  The council could agree to put a referendum on the November ballot asking you if you would like to have alderman elected from anywhere in town.

The Peru City Council meets at 7:30pm.

Hearing Today On Dwight Prison Closure

Have an opinion about the governor wanting to close Dwight Correctional Center?  There is a public hearing about the potential closure.

The bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability will host the hearing today at 4pm inside Dwight High School.  The commission will give a recommendation to the governor but it’s not binding.

Dwight Mayor Bill Wilkey says over 450 people work at the correctional center making it the second biggest employer in the village.  Among the workforce is an estimated 70 workers from La Salle County.

State Representative Frank Mautino is among the expected speakers.