Members learn and share ideas in the Starved Rock Photography Club

If you grew up in the Illinois Valley, you’ve probably been photographed while standing on top of the rock at Starved Rock State Park.  The park offers endless photo opportunities for amateur and professional photographers.

That’s why the Starved Rock Photography Club meets once a month to share ideas and take photos together.  Jackie Pienta is the Operations Manager for Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center and a member of the club.  She says they always have new ideas for pictures.

The club started last November and has 18 members that come from all over the region to meet on the fourth Saturday of the month.  Pienta says you can be at any skill level and you don’t need to have the most expensive camera to have fun.

They’re meeting this weekend for Fall Colors Weekend.  You can learn more about the club by calling the lodge and listening to an interview that’s available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Author to speak at La Salle Library about publishing

Blogs and Facebook have made it easy and inexpensive to share your thoughts and stories with friends everywhere.  If you’ve thought about telling a story using a traditional format a writer visiting La Salle tomorrow could offer some good advice.

Romance author, Johanna Shapard will be talking at the La Salle Public Library at 6pm Tuesday about her experiences in book publishing.  She’ll talk about the mechanics of writing, finding a publisher and what to expect after you’ve signed a contract.

You can hear the program for free.

Names Released In Henry Death Investigation

If you’ve been following the story of a woman found dead in a Henry house, her name has been released.

According to the state police, 42-year old Melissa Rice of Henry was found dead at her home last Friday morning.  46-year old James Doerr Jr. was found shot in her house and died while being transferred to Peoria.

The deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide.  Preliminary autopsy results say both Rice and Doerr Jr. died from gunshot wounds.  The initial 911 call talked about a man outside the house with a gun.

Rice was born in Spring Valley.

New Dunkin Donuts Coming To Peru

If Peru can support two Starbucks then two Dunkin Donuts shouldn’t be a problem, right?

Drive by the old DJ’s Carpet Outlet property on Shooting Park Road and you’ll see a Dunkin Donuts logo on the “for sale” sign on the property.  The property has sat empty for several years since DJ’s Carpet caught fire.  They relocated in Peru.

No word yet on when the new Dunkin’ Donuts will be ready for business.

First Fall Frost For Many In The Illinois Valley

Happy Columbus Day and welcome to frosty weather.

Things will warm up later today and tomorrow but from Wednesday thru the weekend temperatures at night will once again dip down into the 30s.

High temperatures later this week are expected to just be in the upper 50s.