Heroin arrests leads to DCFS call

          Two women face heroin related charges and a child was in protective custody after an investigation by TRIDENT.

          Police say Gwen Kovolis-Pennington and Roberta Campbell of Peru sold a small amount of heroin to someone working with TRIDENT Thursday afternoon outside a business on Joliet Street in La Salle. 

Police soon after arrested them, allegedly finding more heroin on Pennington.  Both are charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.  They were being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Meanwhile, a child with Pennington was taken into protective custody and was turned over to the Department of Children and Family Services.

Conveyor belt catches on fire at Unimin

A conveyor belt is going to need some work at a sand plant in Utica. Firefighters were called to Unimin just after 4:41am Friday for a large conveyor belt that had started on fire.  The power supply was also burning when they arrived.

Naplate Firefighters were called to help because a large above ground diesel fuel storage tank was nearby. 

Crews used foam to put the fire out.  They were there until 7:15am.  No one was hurt.  They’re not sure how much was damaged.

Ottawa store owner’s death not considered criminal

After combing the area of a liquor store in Ottawa where the co-owner was found dead, police say they don’t believe a crime was committed. 

Herman’s Package Store co-owner Joseph Ferrero was found dead behind the store Wednesday morning.  Soon, police had the area taped off and were joined by the La Salle County Coroner and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators.

Police say nothing of value was missing from Ferrero or the store, there were no signs of a struggle and no one else was seen on surveillance videos. 

The investigation won’t be over until more lab results are received. 

Police say that Ferrero’s brother, Jim asked to express the family’s sorrow and say that Ferrero had suffered an illness which had recently worsened. 

Speaker to visit Catholic church hall in Peru

          A professor who raised a few eyebrows while teaching at the University of Illinois will be talking about Catholicism and some touchy subjects in Peru.

Dr. Ken Howell will have three presentations covering the subjects of the Papacy and the Crisis of Christianity in Western Culture, Same Sex Marriage, and his conversion to Catholicism and the hope that the church offers under the new Papacy of Pope Francis.

The programs will be at Friday, April 19^th at seven that night and Saturday morning at nine and 10:30 at St. Joseph’s Hall in Peru.  Admission is free.  The program is a joint effort of the three Catholic Parishes in Peru. 

Annual IVAR auction is Saturday in Utica

Get out of the house and help out a local animal shelter this weekend at the 14^th Annual Building and Care Fund Auction for Illinois Valley Animal Rescue. 

The fundraiser featuring live and silent auctions is Saturday at Grand Bear Lodge in Utica.

You’ll be able to bid on household items, restaurant certificates, gourmet food items, and more.  The program starts at 5pm. 

Peru mayoral candidates to meet for another forum Sunday

          The election is Tuesday.  If you haven’t decided who you want to see lead the City of Peru for the next four years, the four candidates will be fielding questions during another mayoral forum Sunday.

It’s hosted by the League of Women Voters of Mclean County.  You’ll be able to submit questions during the program.  Each of the candidates will have a chance to respond. 

The forum is being held in the Peru Public Library.  Doors open at one.  The forum begins at 1:30.

You can still listen to the mayoral forums hosted by AM 1220 WLPO and the Newstribune.  You’ll find them at the AM 1220 WLPO news page.