La Salle residents complain about sewage backups

It’s hard to enjoy a spring storm when all you can think of is sewage backing up into your basement.  It’s fear shared by some in La Salle who were left with messes last week despite efforts to curb backups.

Gerald Savage lives on Victoria Drive in La Salle.  He told the city council Tuesday night how it was the third time in six years he’s had sewage backup even after upgrading his sump pump and installing a shutoff valve.  He said they city should be ahead of the game.

Mayor Jeff Grove said complaints hadn’t fallen on deaf ears. And he acknowledged that while the city has increased sewage fees, they don’t have the money to correct the problem though he says they’re working on a plan.

Hall High School referendum is officially approved

Every vote counts in a local election, especially the April 9 referendum for building a new Hall High School.  After all of the absentee ballots were counted Tuesday, it was official that the referendum passed by three votes.

1,717 votes in favor and 1,714 votes opposed.  There was a three-vote difference at the end of election night but it was unknown how many absentee ballots would affect the outcome.  It turned out that there were only two- one for and one against.

A new school is estimated to cost $32 million.

Routes 351 and 89 remain closed

It could be another week before Route 351 south of La Salle re-opens.  Flood waters heavily damaged the road’s shoulders and left the pavement unstable in places.

Bruce Hucker with the Illinois Department of Transportation says they will probably have to have an emergency contract to repair the damage.

Meanwhile, Rt 89 at the Spring Valley bridge is closed.  Hucker says as of this morning, there was still water on the roadway north of the bridge.

And though you might be tempted to drive around the barricades, Hucker stresses not to.

The Route 251 bridge in Peru, Route 178 in Utica and Interstate 39 bridges are open.

Pumps running to dry out Spring Valley sewage plant

Three pumps are running at the Spring Valley wastewater treatment plant.  The sewage plant went under water during record flooding this weekend.  Sewage remains untreated as city employees are trying to get it back online.

Mayor Cliff Banks says they were able to bring the water level down by one foot Monday and he’s hoping they can do that again Tuesday.  He says the water was 12 feet deep in some parts and that it will probably take a few more days before they can begin working on some of the electrical controls.

Search continues for missing Peru woman

Searchers using boats and sonar continued to look for 62-year old Nancy Greening.  She was last seen Friday afternoon standing outside of her van along a flooded Route 351 near La Salle.

Conservation Police Sgt. Hank Frazier says they’ve been focusing in the area of Route 351 between the Illinois River and I & M Canal.  He said Monday that depending on the weather Tuesday, he’ll have a couple of people still looking but they really need the water to go down more.

Peru moving forward with purchase of new fire engine

           Fire engines cost a lot more than the pickup you’re driving.  Peru is buying a new rescue and pumper truck for $531,000. 

          The city council agreed to order the new E-One truck Monday night.  Fire Chief Jeff King says it will replace an engine that is 33 years old.  He says the new truck would be more ideal for responding to crashes.

          The city would likely pay for the truck over seven years.  It is estimated to take nine months to build.