Del Monte pitching in $10,000 for Peru PD K-9

Ever since a car crash in August killed one of Peru’s two police dogs, people around the Illinois Valley have been chipping in to pay for a new K-9.

Del Monte in Mendota plans to hand the city a check for $10,000 at Monday’s city council meeting.

Police Chief Doug Bernabei says the cost of replacing Kali is about $60,000.  So far they’ve received $23,000 in donations. He thinks money from their Insurance will put them very close to their goal.

In the meantime, Peru is relying on the La Salle Police Department for a K-9 unit.

Priest and anti-war activist from Streator dies

What a story the Reverend Lawrence Morlan of Streator could’ve told.

The 53-year old Morlan died last week in Bettendorf, Iowa after over 30 years working for peace and social justice.  After graduating college, Morlan joined the “Plowshares Movement”, an anti-nuclear weapons and pacifist non-violent group.  In 1986, Morlan and others protested at a missile silo in Missouri.  The protest was shown on “60 Minutes” and Morlan ended up serving four years in prison for the protest.

Morlan served as a parish priest in Pekin and Bloomington and a pastor in Rock Island before his death.  Service announcements can be heard during WLPO AM and FM’s In Memoriam.

Bishop Daniel Jenky will conduct Morlan’s services.

West Nile Arrives In La Salle County

It took a while but La Salle County finally has its first case of West Nile Virus this year.

Mosquitoes tested earlier this week in Streator came back positive with the virus.  Mosquitoes get the virus by feeding off infected birds.

Bureau County has had three mosquito batches test positive for West Nile along with a horse late last month in Ladd. Putnam County has had one mosquito batch test positive for the virus.

Man dies after a crash in Morris

An elderly Morris man is dead after crashing into a tree.

87-year old Louie Eliakis was driving on Cemetery Road east of Morris when he lost control Thursday morning.  He ended up crashing into a tree.  Eliakis was taken to Morris Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The crash remains under investigation.

Lily Celebrates Last Day Of Cancer Treatment

A young girl whose health battle has captured the hearts of the Illinois Valley is celebrating.

Lily Rosploch of La Salle finished her final day of cancer treatment yesterday.  Lily and her family were joined by staff at Children’s Hospital of Peoria in throwing a party yesterday.

Rosploch and her family have been making several trips to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis for cancer treatment along with Peoria in the past year and half.

She continues to recover from Neuroblastoma.