Expansion planned for Peru resale store

A sign of a strong business is the need for more space.  The resale shop Lily Pads in Peru has plans to double in size.  The non-profit raises money for the PADS Homeless Shelter.

Store officials have asked the city to waive any building permit fees which the city will likely do.  The store sells household items, collectables, clothing and random stuff.

Peru Fire Chief issues burning ban

You won’t be burning in Peru for awhile.  Given the dry conditions, the City of Peru is under a burning ban.

Fire Chief Jeff King suggested it during the city council meeting Wednesday night.  He says other towns have issued them.  The ban started immediately and includes yard waste and all other kinds of fires you could start in your yard, especially rubbish fires.

A person living near Westclox was ticketed Tuesday after firefighters say they were burning couches and stuff in their yard.

Excessive heat watch and heat advisories planned for Thursday

It’s warm Wednesday but it could be dangerously hot Thursday.  With temperatures predicted to surpass 100 degrees, the National Weather Service has planned an excessive heat watch and a heat advisory for parts of the north central Illinois, including the Illinois Valley.

Thursday’s high temperature is expected to be around 102, but it could feel like 109 degrees.

Governor Quinn Says Law Based Off Sandusky Case

CHICAGO (AP) – Gov. Pat Quinn has signed a law that requires coaches and university employees to report cases of abuse.

Quinn’s office says the law is designed to help further protect children and young people from sex abuse and child abuse. Lawmakers introduced the measure in response  to the sex abuse scandal involving former assistant Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The law requires athletic personnel, university employees and early intervention providers to report suspected abuse.

Spring Valley police arrest man accused of stealing a donation jar

If you’ve been following the story of the donation jar that was stolen from the Spring Valley Supermarket, a man has been arrested.

Spring Valley Police Chief Kevin Sangston says after receiving calls from people around town Wednesday, a tip lead them to the home where they found Michael Liberatore.

That’s the man police say was shown on a surveillance video taking a St. Jude Donation jar Monday.  Liberatore was ticketed for theft Wednesday afternoon.  The woman on the tape with him was not arrested.

List Grows Of Businesses Wanting Video Gambling

Over 20 bars, truck stops and bowling alleys have applied for video gaming licenses in La Salle County.

The newest applicants include: Dettore Lanes and Woody’s Steakhouse in Ottawa; El Zarape, the Whistle Stop and Moose Lodge in Mendota; Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru; and the Corral Inn in Cedar Point.  The state is expected to start handing out licenses later this summer.

According to the Illinois Gaming Board, Grand Ridge has opted out of allowing video gaming while Depue, Earlville, Marseilles, Oglesby, Seneca, Spring Valley and Streator all have ordinances that don’t allow it.  Oglesby’s city council is likely to eventually allow it.

Peru and Ottawa city council’s both have already changed their ordinances to welcome video gaming.

Drought Becoming More Of An Issue

Rain has been few and far between but most of the listening area isn’t experiencing a drought by official standards.

The weather service says the southern tip of La Salle County is now experiencing moderate drought conditions.  Everywhere else in the Illinois Valley is considered abnormally dry.  A little farther south, much of Livingston County is going thru a severe drought.

Places like Chicago, Paw Paw and Pontiac all have around 10 inches less rain compared to what they had last year at this point.