Area towns hosting Christmas decorating contests

Homes in Spring Valley are decked out for Christmas.  Judging for the Spring Valley Booster Club’s lighting contest beings Sunday.  The deadline to enter the contest was Friday.  Awards will be given out for first, second and third places.

In Seneca the Park Board is giving you an incentive to decorate for Christmas with a village Christmas decorating contest.  First and Second place winners will receive cash prizes.  Judging will be the week of December 15^th.

Fingerstyle guitarist to perform in Peru

Relax with music.  The much acclaimed guitarist Muriel Anderson performs Sunday in Peru.  She’s not your typical guitarist but rather a musician known for playing fingerstyle and was the first woman to win the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID.  The concert is at 6:30pm at the Zion Church of Christ on 6^th Street.

Man accused of violating an order of protection

An order of protection only works if the person you’re trying to protect yourself from stays away.  Robert Tannenbaum of Utica was arrested in Oglesby Friday for allegedly violating an order of protection.  Tannenbaum was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Streator Christmas celebration to be held Saturday

          You can get your family out of the house with a trip to Streator Saturday.  The town has a day of events scheduled all leading up to the lighting of Streator City Park.  They call it “Light Up Streator”.

          There’s a Toys for Tots toy drive at City Park from 10am until 2pm.  You’ll find a holiday market at Park Place and the Bruce Township Hall from 10am to 4pm.

          The Christmas lights in the park will be lit at 6:30pm.  The 2^nd Annual Lighted Christmas Parade starts at 7pm.  Throughout the day there will be visits from Santa, music and food.  Some downtown businesses will be open for nighttime shopping.

Charges in incident where officer dragged by car

     CHICAGO (AP) – One man is charged with attempted murder after a suburban Chicago police officer was dragged by a car as Thanksgiving shoplifting suspects fled.  

      Authorities Friday identified a passenger as 51-year-old Robert Russell. The Joliet man’s charged with attempted murder. The driver remained hospitalized and hasn’t been charged.

      Romeoville police say the officer injured his shoulder but has been released from the hospital.

      As a patrol approached the Kohl’s store Thursday, Russell allegedly ran and jumped into the car, then closed the door on the officer while the driver drove off. Another officer shot the driver in the arm.

      A third man arrested in the store, 28-year-old Gerald Chamberlain of Joliet, is charged with felony theft.

      There was no answer at a telephone number for Russell. There’s no listing for Chamberlain.

 

La Salle Gets Geared Up For Small Business Saturday

Don’t forget about your local businesses when breaking the bank shopping this weekend.

Mom and pop stores are gearing up for the annual “Small Business Saturday” where a lot of locally-owned stores are having sales of their own.  Kelly Klobucher is with the La Salle Business Association.

She explains why you should feel good about spending money local. She says this is the 4th year La Salle has organized a “Small Business Saturday” promotion.  Klobucher says over a dozen La Salle businesses are having deals tomorrow with many in the heart of the downtown.

For more information about La Salle’s “Small Business Saturday” plans, click https://www.facebook.com/pages/SEE-LaSalle-IL-Shop-Eat-Explore/219904728067384 .

State Police Ready For Holiday Travelers

It’s all hands on deck once again for the state police this Thanksgiving week.

Trooper Craig Graham is the public information officer with the District 17 office in La Salle.  With a lot of traffic expected this week, Graham says he’ll get out from behind the desk and try to make sure everyone is traveling safe.

Troopers in La Salle and statewide are once again taking part in the “Click It or Ticket” initiative, making sure you’re buckled.  Graham says this week also isn’t a bad time to practice using a hands-free device in your car since as of January 1st you won’t be able to talk on a cell phone while driving unless its hands free. 

Firearm Deer Hunt Pretty Slow Going In The Illinois Valley

Are deer getting smarter or are there just less hunters looking for the big prize in the Illinois Valley?

Whatever the reason, numbers are way down in the Illinois Valley as far as the number of deer killed in the first part of the firearm deer season.  Hunters brought down 730 deer last weekend in Bureau County, nearly 300 less than a year ago.  In La Salle County, 588 deer were shot down compared to almost 900 last year.  Hunters in Putnam County brought down 278 deer last weekend compared to 389 last year.

The second part of the firearm deer season begins next Thursday.

Shoppers Behave While Nabbing Black Friday Deals In Peru

The unruly behavior that’s usually associated with overly eager Black Friday shoppers hasn’t been the case in Peru.

A Peru dispatcher says while there were lines at places like Walmart, Target and Menards, everyone was on their best behavior.  Peru Police did have extra officers working Thursday night into Friday morning for the shopping rush.

The dispatcher did say there were a few couple minor crashes in the Target parking lot overnight.

Tax Preparer And Investment Broker Running For La Salle County Treasurer

Two Peruvians want to be the next La Salle County treasurer.

Republican James Spelich and Democrat Edward McConville both filed their election papers this week to run for treasurer.  Spelich is an investment broker while McConville is a tax preparer.

Current Treasurer Don Lamps who is a Republican is not seeking a fourth term.

Monday is the last day you can turn in election petitions to be on the March primary election ballot.