Police say Peru woman was the victim of a ruse

          Don’t be quick to trust the salesperson at your door.  Police are looking for a blue van after an elderly woman in Peru became the victim of what police call a ruse. 

          Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says a woman living at Liberty Villas called them after a man claiming to be a landscaper stopped by her home and was talking outside with her for 20 minutes Wednesday afternoon.

          The woman called the police after he left, thinking it was suspicious.  It wasn’t until later that Bernabei says the woman realized that several pieces of jewelry were taken.

          Police officers across the area have been told about the van and the so-called landscaper described as a Hispanic man who’s about six-foot tall.

          Bernabei says if you see something suspicious, call the police.

Peru alderman questions the value of their sign ordinance

          You can barely drive a block without seeing a sign for a political candidate or referendum.  The City of Peru created tougher signage rules last spring limiting the number of political signs you can stick in your yard. 

          More than a few people have complained that the signage rules aren’t being fairly enforced. 

          Alderman Rodney Perez told the city council and mayor Wednesday night that the new rules are causing a lot of grief and asked that they go back to the old rules.

          Mayor Scott Harl has signs posted as he runs for a second term.  He says they only have problems for two weeks during the election season so they don’t need to change the rules.  A couple of other aldermen agreed.

          Harl faces challengers Mike Hart, former mayor Don Baker and Jim Giordano.

Love songs part of Hegeler wedding anniversary celebration

Add some romance and history to your weekend with a unique wedding anniversary celebration.

Edward and Camilla Hegeler would have been married 154 years.  The Hegeler Carus Foundation is marking the occasion with a concert of German, Italian, and French loves songs performed by Derek Buckley.

The program is at 6:30pm Friday.  A 30 minute reception will begin before hand. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.

Many questions remain in Ottawa death

Many questions remains as police investigate the death of an Ottawa liquor store co-owner, Joseph Ferrero.

The store on its Facebook page asked for fans “to keep him, his family and his extended Herman’s family in their hearts and prayers.”

Ferrero was found dead behind Herman’s Package Store late Wednesday morning.  Police immediately taped off the area around the store and were joined by the La Salle County Coroner and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators.

Investigators haven’t said if foul play was involved.  You’ll hear more as it is made available.