North Carolina man dies in Thursday accident

A North Carolina semi-driver died in a three vehicle collision on Eastbound I-80 Thursday at the Morris exit.

Grundy County Chief Deputy Coroner, Christina Hintze said traffic was stopped for construction around 2:30pm. It appears the semi driver was not aware of this and hit a car and another semi. The North Carolina man was pronounced dead at the scene by Chief Deputy Coroner Hintze. District 5 State police will reconstruct the accident. Traffic was backed up for, perhaps ten miles for several hours.

No names have been released.

Child safety seats to be checked in Peru

Putting on your seat-belt is easy: pull and click.  Installing a child’s car seat, not so much.  Studies have shown that most child car seats are either improperly installed or have been recalled.

You can make sure the one in your backseat is safe during a free car seat check from 10am-1pm Saturday at Coronet Dodge in Peru.  Someone will be there to double-check your kid’s car seat.

And if you’re using a used child safety seat you may consider buying something new.  Peru Police Deputy Chief Bob Pyszka says they don’t recommend second-hand car seats because you don’t know if they’ve been recalled or have been involved in a crash.  And he suggests you destroy old car seats before they can be used again.

Colorado man accused of having drugs during stop in La Salle County

It doesn’t matter where you pack drugs, the police dog will find them.  A traffic stop early Thursday morning near Peru left a man from Colorado arrested for cocaine and marijuana.

State troopers say they stopped Donald Bredesen for speeding.  He was arrested for Possession of Cannabis, Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Pair from Arizona accused of having 27 pounds of marijuana

A duffle bag and backpack filled with marijuana are what state police troopers say they found during a stop on Interstate 80.  It happened early Wednesday morning near Peru.  Police say they searched the car after smelling drugs.

They allegedly found 27 pounds of marijuana.  Nathaniel Alltop and Jeremy Trapane of Arizona were arrested for Manufacture or Delivery of Cannabis and Possession of drug Paraphernalia.  They were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

New US census data show poverty rising in Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) – New U.S. Census data show that poverty increased in Illinois in 2011, as the economy continued its slow recovery from recession.

The new numbers from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey were released Thursday.

They show an estimated 1.9 million people in the state were living below the federal poverty line last year.

That’s almost 150,000 more than in 2010.

In Chicago, the numbers increased by 15,000 last year for a total of more than 261,000.

The Chicago Tribune reports that at the same time people are earning smaller paychecks, as laid-off workers move on to take lower paying jobs.

University of Michigan economist Sheldon Danzinger tells the paper that “the low-paying sectors are growing,” while higher-paying industries continue to trim jobs.

LPHS Homecoming parade scheduled for today in Peru and La Salle

The band will be marching and the streets will be lined with Cavalier fans as the LP High School Homecoming Parade rolls through Peru and La Salle Thursday.

The parade begins at 4pm in downtown Peru and will follow Route 6 into La Salle then head south on Bucklin Street to First Street before ending around Tonti Street.

The Cavalier football team hosts Sterling Friday night.  The dance is Saturday night.

Gallacher agg arson trial scheduled to continue today

Testimony was scheduled to resume Thursday in the trial of a teen accused of starting a fire in the old Westclox building in Peru.  The bench trial of 17-year old Steven Gallacher of La Salle began late last month with testimony from former La Salle firefighter Steve Smith.

Gallacher is charged with aggravated arson in the New Years Eve fire.  His case is being heard by Judge H. Chris Ryan.

A younger teen has already been sentenced for his role.