Blackout Blamed For I-80 Crash Near Peru

If you were following a story about a rollover crash on Interstate 80 in Peru this morning, the driver apparently blacked out.

State Police say Michael Borys of Ottawa was westbound on I-80 near Peru when he blacked out in his pickup truck.  He drove through the median and onto the eastbound lanes.  Borys ended up driving back across the westbound lanes and stopping in the north ditch.

He was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital.  The crash happened just before 8 this morning.

Halloween Parades Abound In The Illinois Valley

If you’re looking to take your kids to an early Halloween parade or party, there’s no shortage of options in the Illinois Valley.

La Salle’s Hometown Halloween features a children’s costume parade starting at 11.  There are also downtown businesses ready to hand out candy.

In Peru tomorrow the Halloween parade starts at 2 behind Eye Care Professionals on 4^th Street.  In Princeton there’s the annual pumpkin races starting at noon.

Streator is also having its annual downtown trick or treat parade tomorrow along with Spring Valley.

Quinn Holding Out Hope For Action On Pensions And Gay Marriage

WHEELING, Ill. (AP) – Gov. Pat Quinn says he’s not discouraged that lawmakers came away from two days of their fall veto session without tackling any of the major issues on their agenda.

Quinn says the days were valuable for discussion to “lay a foundation” on the state’s pension crisis and same-sex marriage. However, neither issue came up for a vote before lawmakers left town.

They’ll be back next month. Quinn says that’ll be the time to take votes.

L-P Plans November Meeting To Talk About Drug Testing Program

Do you think its a good idea that L-P High School will start testing any student in extra curricular activities for drug use?

The school is having a meeting about its new policy on November 11th.  L-P students and their parents will need to sign a consent form for random drug testing if they want to be involved in any kind of sports or performing arts once testing starts in January.  A testing consent form was mailed out to L-P families this week.

L-P administrators say they’re not out to get anyone they just want to give students a reason to “just say NO”.

Schools like Streator, St. Bede and Hall already do random drug testing.

Groundbreaking Next Week For New Hall High School

Before the ground gets too frozen, ground will be broken on the new Hall High School next week.

The hard hats and shovels will be out Wednesday at 5 to move the first dirt during construction of the $28 million dollar high school.  The new Hall High School will be three stories, include two new gyms and a brand new auditorium.  The district is paying for it thanks to a tax referendum that passed in April by just 3 votes.

Wednesday’s groundbreaking is in the front lawn of the existing Hall High School.