Peru pickle ball court will stay at 28th Street Park despite complaints

The pickle ball season in Peru is over but the debate over the location of the pickle ball court is not.

Despite receiving noise complaints from people living near the court at 28^th Street Park, the pickle ball court will remain.  This was the first year for pickle ball.  The court players are using used to be a tennis court but was repainted this year.  To change it back to a tennis court would cost at least $3,000.

Alderwoman Sherry Mayszak Wednesday night told the other aldermen that pickle ball should be moved to Sunset Park where there is an underused tennis court, restrooms and lights. She was out numbered.  The council voted six to two to keep the court at 28^th Street Park.

Jill Bernal lives near the court and spoke on behalf of her neighbors when she urged the city council to move the court.  She says the park and rec board broke the Opening Meetings Act when created the pickle ball court and says they will take legal action.

Firearm Deer Season Starts Friday

Get ready to see a lot of bright orange clothing.  It’s time for the firearm deer season in Illinois.

Hunting gets going tomorrow morning and runs through Sunday.  The season then finishes with hunting from November 29^th thru December 2^nd.

Last year, Bureau County hunters took down over 12 hundred deer, La Salle County over 11 hundred and over 400 in Putnam County.  Over 98 thousand deer were shot down statewide.

If you get a deer in La Salle County, you’re asked to take it to Buffalo Rock State Park to be tested for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Winning lottery ticket sold in Princeton

Winning $50,000 probably wouldn’t changing your life but it would be nice.  A winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket was sold Tuesday at Beck’s on Peru Street in Princeton.

Illinois Lottery officials say the winner hasn’t come forward yet but they matched all five numbers in Tuesday night’s drawing.

The store will receive a $500 bonus for selling a winning ticket.

Man and woman accused of lying during DUI trial

Lie under oath and you could be the one facing charges.  A woman from Toluca has been arrested for allegedly lying while testifying at a DUI trial in La Salle County last month.

Randall Patterson of Peru was being tried for DUI and investigators say he lied during testimony and caused Beth Craig to lie.  He’s been arrested for perjury and subornation of perjury.  His bond was set at $35,000.

Craig has also been arrested for perjury.  Her bond was set at $25,000.

States Attorney Brian Town and Sheriff Tom Templeton says the investigation isn’t over.

Two Hurt In Interstate 80 Crashes

More details are known about the chain of events that led to major traffic backups on Interstate 80 between Utica and Ottawa.

State Police say Steven Wood of Missouri was westbound on I-80 just after 8 yesterday when he hit two parked, IDOT trucks.  Wood was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital.  One of the IDOT drivers, Corey Battles of Elgin was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center.  No tickets were issued.

About a half later, Michael O’Brien of Amboy was in a semi slowing for traffic because of the earlier crash when he was rear-ended by a semi driven by Mark Weimer of Ohio state.  No one was hurt but Weimer was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Serial Panhandler In Streator

A former convict is accused of panhandling in Streator.

On Sunday, police believe Theresa Yedinak approached an elderly person at their home saying her daughter was in the hospital and she needed money.  A piece of jewelry eventually went missing from that home.

The next day police say Yedinak approached an elderly couple at their home saying she ran out of gas and needed money.  She also asked for a ride and food.

Streator Police say Yedinak has been using similar ploys to take advantage of people dating back to 2006.  She was just paroled from prison in July.  Yedinak’s been convicted of robbery, residential burglary and forgery.

New Lawsuit Involving Milton Pope Bus Crash

Another lawsuit has been filed involving several children being hurt in a bus crash near Marseilles.

Michael Dillon has filed a suit thru a Chicago law firm on behalf of his two Milton Pope students.  He is suing the school district, bus driver, bus company and pickup driver involved in the September 10^th crash that sent nearly 40 students to the hospital.  Despite the bus driver Diane Kelley being hailed by many as a hero, Dillon’s lawsuit claims she has a history of collisions and speeding and was “not fit” to be a bus driver.  He argues the school bus company and school district shouldn’t have let her drive the bus.

Last month, Peru Attorney Scott Ganassin filed a lawsuit against Michael Shelton of rural Seneca on behalf of four children with the worst injuries.  Shelton was the pickup driver ticketed in the bus crash.

Santa’s Workshop Helps The Needy

Christmas shopping can be stressful, especially if you can’t afford to buy gifts for your family.  Project Success in Spring Valley is making Christmas shopping easier for parents with low incomes with Santa’s Workshop.   It’s a toy drive that allows parents to choose which toys are best for their children.

To be one of the generous community members donate a new toy, gift card, or coat.  You can leave your gifts in giving boxes set out at businesses around Spring Valley.

To sign your family up to receive gifts, contact Project Success by Friday.  It’s open to families in the Spring Valley, Ladd, and Hollowayville area who are on the Link Card.

Parents will be allowed to pick out toys on Saturday, December 8 at Ladd Grade School.

Great American Smoke-Out Returns

It’s time to put those cigarettes and lighters down.

Tomorrow marks the 37^th Annual Great American Smoke-Out, where health officials urge smokers to quit.  According to public health officials, one of every six deaths in America is due to the effects of smoking.

The goal of the Great American Smoke-Out is to encourage smokers to quit for at least 24 hours.