Peru experiencing hold up with sewer seperation work

For two years, people living in the older part of Peru dealt with torn up roads, dirt and heavy equipment while the storm and sanitary sewers were being separated.

The project should have officially ended last fall but the city is holding off on signing off.  Alderman Dave Waldorf says there are items like settling catch basins and manholes that they want the contractor T.J. Lambrecht Construction to take care off before they say the work is done.

Waldorf says they haven’t been making progress and he wants the city’s attorney to send the contractor a letter suggesting that money would be withheld if they don’t finish the odds and ends.

The city and contractor also disagree over some unseen expenses but Waldorf says he wouldn’t call it a dispute yet.

Meanwhile, the city’s already planning sewer separation work for another area in town.

La Salle Dollar General On The Move

A move by Dollar General from First Street to Route 6 is a step closer to happening.

The La Salle Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals both approved plans for a new store on the corner of Route 6 and Gooding Street.  The committees were okay with consolidating four different lots into one and tearing down an old St. Margaret’s building.  The La Salle City Council will give its opinion on the new Dollar General tonight.

Store officials hope to close on the land in June and open in mid October or early November.  It’ll have 30 parking spaces and be bigger than the current store on First Street.

La Salle Economic Development Director Don Aleksy says he’s not sure what will happen with the current Dollar General if the new one is built.

Woman dies from head injury after being hit by car

An accident in Ottawa has left an 80 year old woman dead.  Norma Busch of Ottawa fell and hit her head after being hit by a car Saturday afternoon.

Busch died later that night at St. Francis Medical Center according to Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll.  An autopsy has been performed.

Drug charges for Indiana pair

It’s hard to hide 30 pounds of marijuana from a police dog.  Two men from Indiana face drug trafficking charges after getting stopped near La Salle early Monday morning.

Ronald Wood Jr. and David Howard of Knox, Indiana were arrested after police say they found 30 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of Wood’s car during a traffic stop on Interstate 80.

They were being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Civilian Conservation Corps focus of upcoming program in La Salle

The Civilian Conservation Corps put a lot of people to work and left a lasting impact on the Illinois Valley.  Learn more about the men it employed during the program, “Dollar-A-Day Boys!: A Musical Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps.”

Based on the novel, “Big Shoulders,” it will be presented by author Bill Jamerson using music, video and reading excerpts.

The program is at 6pm Tuesday at the La Salle Public Library.  It’s part of The Way We Worked exhibit.

Gas Leak At Streator Glass Plant

A gas leak sprung up twice at Owens glass in Streator.

After firefighters handled a leak Saturday afternoon, they were called back late last night for a leak in the same area of the plant.  They were on scene Sunday night for about seven hours.

No one was hurt.  Streator firefighters got help from several fire departments including Grand Ridge, Leonore and Wenona.

 

Registration Time At IVCC

Believe it or not it is time to start thinking about summer and fall semester signup at Illinois Valley Community College.

Registration for summer and fall semesters is going on now whether it be in person, by phone or online.  If you want to register online you need a WebAdvisor account.

Summer classes in Oglesby start May 21^st and in Ottawa on May 29^th.  Fall semester starts August 20^th.