Car takes out traffic lights during a crash in Peru

It’s hard to tell if you have the green light if you’re not paying attention.  A teen that took out a traffic light pole in Peru told the police he was distracted by his GPS when he crash with another car Thursday night.

It happened around 7:30pm at Route 251 and May Road.  Police say Anthony Klein of Sheffield was turning from May Road to Route 251 when he crashed with Jack Grant of Peru.

Grant told police he waited for the light to turn green before continuing north on Route 251.

Klein and Grant were taken by ambulance to Illinois Valley Community Hospital.  No one was ticketed.

Fall Colors Weekend returns to Starved Rock

If you haven’t visited Starved Rock State Park recently, this could be a fun weekend to do it.  It’s Fall Colors Weekend.  Volunteers will be giving guided hikes.

Hikes will begin at the Visitor’s Center at 9am and 1pm Saturday and Sunday.  Special hikes that include a lunch will be offered for $17.  You’ll need to make reservations at the lodge if you would like to be part of that.  Otherwise, hiking at the park is free,

Sewer and median work planned for Route 23

It’s hard to get anywhere in Ottawa without taking Route 23.  A few lanes of the road will be closed while workers redo a sewer manhole and a median.

Starting Tuesday, October 22 both Route 23 northbound and southbound passing lanes will be closed from Post Street to Oak Ridge Drive.

This will likely cause traffic delays so plan to leave early.  The work is expected to take three to four days.

Peru reminds residents about leaf-burning rules

The beauty of the changing leaves quickly turns into the pill of leaves in your yard.  If you live in Peru you’re allowed to burn your leaves until November 31 as long as you follow a few rules.

Burning is allowed between 10am and 4pm Tuesdays through Saturdays.  You can’t burn if it recently rained and your burn pile must be on private property and 20 feet away from the house or garage.  You also have to be there when the leaves are burning.

If burning isn’t your thing, the leaf vac will begin making the rounds Monday.