Rain doesn’t stop Walk, Run, Bike event in Peru

A steady light run didn’t stop the teams from taking a lap around Baker Lake for the Illinois Valley Chapter of the Red Cross.  The annual Walk, Run, Bike and Family Bike Rodeo went on as planned Sunday.

28 teams had planed to participate.  More than 30 children took part in the bike rodeo, receiving free T-shirts and bike helmets.  The first 100 kids will be given free helmets and T-shirts.

Executive Director Sarah Stasic says they were hoping to raise $32,000 and though the final figures aren’t available yet, she thought they had a lot of fundraising already collected.

“I Pull” U-Way results

Some five hundred people watched ten teams pull an airplane, a fire truck and a 30 ton cement truck Saturday in a contest of strength at the I V Regional Airport. It represented the kickoff of the United Way of the Illinois Valley’s annual campaign. According to Gary Halberg, chairman Of the event and United Way board member, Deitz Drainage took first, Euclid Beverage of Peru second and the LaSalle police athletic department third. Prized money was awarded. Winners were determined by adding their times across the three pulls. Ten teams had to pull the airplane thirty feet and the fire and cement trucks 15 feet each. Halberg says they hope to have a cargo jet to pull in next year’s contest.

search for no one

Authorities are confident a call for help Saturday at Starved Rock State Park wasn’t a hoax and the person calling got assistance. Sgt. Robert Frazier with the Conservation Police said Utica Fire Department was notified about 1pm that hikers heard someone calling for help. About a 25 member search team comprised of Ottawa River Rescue and LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby and Naplate fire departments began a search a short time later.  After finding no one in basically the east portion of the park, the search was called off at 4:30pm.

Paint ball truck fire

Were you stopped on Westbound I-80 around midnight Saturday near Marseilles. LaSalle County Sheriff’s office said a truck hauling paint balls somehow caught fire at the Route 71 exit blocking traffic for some time. Marseilles Fire Department along with Tonica firemen handled the fire. No other details have been released.

Jamaican Jam today

Today’s the day for 99-3 WAJK’s and Lou’s Lagrotto’s “Jamaican Jam” Block party on the west side of Peru. Gates open at 11 with all day music and food. Special guests are Bob Marley’s former band, “The Wailers”. Five dollar tickets at the gate. Each ticket gives you a chance to win a trip for two to Jamaica, but you must be present to win. Shuttle service from the Jewel parking lot starts at 1pm. 99-3 WAJK will broadcast live reports throughout the afternoon starting at 11:30am with Shap and Jaimie.