Sidewalk program suggested for Peru

Be it from tree roots or years of use, it’s time for some sidewalks in Peru to be replaced. Alderman Dave Waldorf has proposed budgeting $50,000 a year for a sidewalk program. He explained it to the city council Monday night.

Waldorf suggests offering the money to property owners on a first come-first serve basis. He says there are a lot of bad sidewalks but he would like to see the replace four blocks per year.

Gary Hylla, the city treasurer, says they would be able to include it in the next budget.

The program would only go to replace existing sidewalks and not put in sidewalks where they aren’t.

Waldorf is also suggesting that they budget money to buy and demolish two trouble properties a year.

Illinois clinics, hospitals got recalled drugs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – An additional 49 Illinois hospitals and clinics may have received recalled products from a Massachusetts pharmacy linked to a multi-state outbreak of fungal meningitis.

The Food and Drug Administration has posted a list provided by the pharmacy on its website.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is alerting the clinics and hospitals because of concerns that additional products may have been contaminated. They include health facilities that received a drug used during eye surgery.

The clinics and hospitals are being asked to notify patients who may have received injectable drugs on or after May 21 that were manufactured by New England Compounding Center. Those patients should watch for signs of infection.

Illinois continues to report one probable case of fungal meningitis.

 List of clinics and hospitals.

California man accused of having cocaine and a lot of cash

You probably don’t have $283,000 in the bank let alone in your car.  State troopers say they found that much money in cash and nearly three pounds of cocaine after pulling over a man from California.

Keith Ashanti was stopped Friday morning on Interstate 80 in Bureau County.  Troopers searched the car after the police dog smelled drugs.  Police say a false compartment in the back of the SUV had several duct taped bundles of cash and 2.9 pounds of cocaine.

Ashanit was arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and was taken to the Bureau County Jail.

Lightning Strike Blamed For Business Fire In Peru

Lightning is blamed for starting a short-lived fire at a Peru business.

A 911 call came in around 9:45 this morning about a fire in the maintenance building at CF Industries on the southwest end of Peru.  The crews responding were told to use caution because of power lines being down.  The fire was put out in about 20 minutes.

An electrician was at the business and quickly turned off power.

Injured Hiker At Starved Rock

It wasn’t a serious fall, but EMT’s and river rescue members still were called to Starved Rock State Park again.

They were called to the park just before 4 Sunday afternoon for a 65-year old man who hurt is knee while hiking on marked trails.  The man from Mokena was treated at the scene by Utica ambulance members.

No tickets were issued.