Rummage sale to benefit man recovering from kidney and liver failure

What happens when one of the people working to help others in the community needs help?  You hold a benefit rummage sale.

A sale is being held later this week to raise money for Arnie Watkins, the manager of Illinois Valley Food and Deli.  He’s been hospitalized since late March after suffering kidney and liver failure.  After undergoing a kidney and liver transplant, he remains hospitalized in serious condition.

Watkins was involved with the United Way board and local Relay for Life.

You can browse the rummage sale Thursday through Saturday at the Zion UCC Church in Peru.  The sale will be open from 8am-3pm each day.

Cinotte leaves IVCC

The women’s basketball program at Illinois Valley Community College has lost its head coach. 

Pat Cinotte has stepped down as the coach of the Lady Eagles.  The college made the announcement Tuesday and says a search to replace Cinotte has already begun.

Cinotte was with IVCC for four years, leading two teams to the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament.

The college says Cinotte left because of a cut in tuition waivers for athletics and a freeze on head coaching salaries. 

Fire Damages Basement In Peru

An early morning basement fire in Peru is under investigation.

Peru firefighters got a call just after five Tuesday morning for a basement fire in the 1900 block of Seventh Street.  It was in the home of Ron and Pam Dunkel.  No one was home at the time of the fire.

Firefighters were on scene for a couple hours.  They contained the fire to the basement.

The cause is under investigation.

Spring Valley Prepping For New Bridge

Spring Valley is willing to install lights and sidewalks on the new Route 89 bridge, but with a catch.

According to the NewsTribune, Mayor Walt Marini says the city could pay 20 percent of sidewalk costs and all the costs for lighting leading to the new bridge.  Marini says the city will have to get a state grant to help pay.

The total cost of the lighting and sidewalks is around 140 thousand dollars.  The new sidewalk would run from the new Barto Landing entrance towards Illinois Street.