Popular Peru Pub Getting Closer To Re-Opening

A month after the record flood began, repairs continue at Waterstreet Pub in Peru.

Owner Russ Guynn says they hope to reopen the restaurant by the second week of June.  He says when it’s reopened you’ll see new tables and chairs and a tiled floor instead of the old wood one.  Guynn says a tiled floor will handle the next flood much better.  He’s also looking to add an enclosed patio and new pizza oven.

Guynn says the water this time around was about 6 inches higher than during major flooding in 2008.  That extra water put a lot of the restaurants electricity underwater.  Guynn says they did save antique furniture and their computer system worth over 20 thousand dollars.

Guynn says they couldn’t have bounced back without the help of flood insurance. Kitchen staff of Waterstreet have been working on the reopening while most waitresses and bartenders are working at Pagan O’Learys in Granville. Some have been temporarily laid off.

Graduation Ceremony Planned For Displaced Marseilles Students

It may not be ideal but it beats having nowhere to graduate.

Since the record flood closed the elementary school, Marseilles 8^th graders will have their graduation outside in the Illinois Valley Cellular parking lot.  The makeshift graduation is planned for May 23^rd at 7 o’clock.

There will be a stage with hundreds of chairs covered under a tent.  Much of the things used during the graduation are being donated.

The after graduation party will be at the Marseilles American Legion Hall.

IVCC Graduation Festivities On Saturday

Illinois Valley Community College is known for its nursing program.  The latest batch of nursing graduates will be recognized tomorrow.

The RN Pinning will be Saturday starting at 11:30 in the lower gym.  A reception will follow immediately after the graduation ceremony finishes.

Later on Saturday afternoon will be the commencement ceremony for the rest of the IVCC graduates.  This starts at 2:30 in the main gym.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger is the commencement speaker.

Multiple Vehicle Crash South Of Ottawa

Grand Ridge and Marseilles first responders are being called to a three vehicle accident between Grand Ridge and Ottawa.

The 911 call came in at around 10:50 for an accident at the intersection of Route 23 and North 2525^th Road.  Children and adults are said to be involved in the crash.

More details as they become available.

Recount Show’s No Issues With Hall Referendum Vote

After a discovery recount, the result is the same, more voters said yes to a 32 million dollar referendum for a new Hall High School than said no.

Mary Alice Mueller and seven others in Spring Valley requested yesterday’s recount of votes in four Hall precincts.  The recount found no discrepancies that would change the last month’s election.

For opponents of the Hall referendum to get the election reversed, they must file a petition with the Bureau County Circuit Clerk to contest the election.  The court petition has to be filed before the end of the month.

Donation Checks Available For Marseilles Flood Victims

It may not cover much of the damages but about 200 households in Marseilles are eligible to pick up some cash donations.

People whose home suffered river water damage and who lived from the I & M Canal south to the Illinois River and between Chicago and Main Streets are eligible for 150 dollar payments.  The money is coming out of a relief fund set up at Marseilles Bank.

There’s more money in the donation fund that will be distributed later on.  These payments are separate from federal flood assistance.

Illinois’ Jobless Rate Shows Improvement

CHICAGO (AP) – Illinois’ unemployment rate improved slightly in April, dipping to 9.3 percent compared to 9.5 percent in March. There were 2,000 fewer jobs in April, despite the improved unemployment rate.

Illinois Department of Employment Securities spokesman Greg Rivara says that could indicate that fewer people were looking for work in April, possibly because of bad weather. There were 40,300 more jobs in Illinois than there were last April.

Even so, Illinois’ unemployment rate remains well above the national average of 7.5 percent. County-by-county jobless rates will be released later this month.