Running race and walk to raise money for Alzheimer’s Association

If the hotter than usual temperatures kept you from entering running races this season, cooler temperatures will be on your side Saturday morning.

The annual “Boo” Milby Memory 5K Run/Walk  begins at Northwest School on O’Conner Avenue, La Salle.  Check-in starts at 6:45am, the race is at 8am.

Money raised from the race will go to support the Illinois Valley Alzheimer’s Association.

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s is Sunday afternoon at Baker Lake in Peru.

Explosion reported at Jack’s Gas in McNabb

An explosion at a gas station in McNabb knocked a man to the ground.  It happened shortly after 12:30pm Thursday at Jack’s Gas.  Putnam County EMS and McNabb Firefighters were called to the service station.

Early reports were that the gas tank of a car on the rack exploded.  There was no fire.  You’ll hear more as it’s made available.

Home Invasion Prompts Alert In Peru

It’s always a good idea to lock all doors at home.  Just ask a person living in Peru.

Police have put out a community alert after a person living just north of Shooting Park Road woke up to find a stranger on his living room couch.  The man told police the stranger possibly ate some food and then took a seat on a couch after getting thru an unlocked sliding glass door.  The stranger allegedly then said he must have been in the wrong house and ran away.  A search using dogs was unsuccessful in finding anyone.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says they’ve ramped up patrols around the home on Elmwood Road.  He says it’s the only incident of this type to be reported but due to the circumstances, he’s issued a community alert.

The alleged home invader by the way is described as being a white man in his 20s.  He’s tall, with no facial hair, was wearing blue jeans, gray stocking cap and no shirt.

Call Peru Police if you have any information.

Peru Elementary Board Okays Sales Tax Increase Question

A ballot question asking to raise taxes is getting closer to happening in La Salle County.

The Peru Elementary School Board is the latest district to pass a resolution to ask whether you’re okay paying one percent more sales tax to pay for school construction.  La Salle, Mendota and Waltham Elementary School District boards are other board’s who’ve already approved the idea.

According to the NewsTribune, the Peru Elementary vote was far from unanimous with Jeff Sheppard and Dr. C.G. Pillai voting against.

At least 51 percent of the entire school enrollment must pass a resolution for the sales to be on the November ballot.

New Hall High School Could Cost Over 30 Million

It’s the 37 million dollar question facing the Hall High School Board of Education?  Build new or renovate?

According to the NewsTribune, an architect last night laid out options for the school board that included 18 million dollars in repairs to keep using the existing building versus 37 million dollars to build a brand new high school.  The renovation would include making the school more handicap accessible and create larger class space.  A brand new school would include a brand new gym, theater, automotive department rooms and enough space for 600 students.

The architect suggests the board figure out what to do soon so it can ask voters for taxpayer support during a 2013 election.  Superintendent Mike Struna plans to talk with bank representatives to learn about financing options.