Peru approves changes to burning ordinance

You will not be allowed to burn your leaves on Thanksgiving again in Peru.  Federal holidays were added to the list of days you’re not allowed to burn leaves in Peru.

The city council changed the burning ordinance Monday night.  Someone complained to their alderman that a neighbor was burning leaves while they were frying a turkey.

Rural Peru property owners are now allowed to burn along their fence lines.  The rules were changed to allow property owners on the outskirts of town and away from homes to burn if they receive a no-fee permit from the fire chief.

A change of rules also gives businesses up to four false fire alarms per year before they are fined.

City has potential buyer for Water Street property

A property on Water Street in Peru has the attention of a potential buyer.  The land is known to city employees as the pool yard and was used for storing poles and other things.

The Public Works Committee wants to have the land appraised.  Alderman Rodney Perez told the city council Monday night that’s because Economic Development Director Bob Vickery says someone is interested in land on Water Street.

The council agreed to ask four local commercial appraisers for a quote.  Nobody’s sure if the land is contaminated and if so, if that would affect the sale.

Oglesby Christmas lighting contestants featured on map

Gas up the car and spend an evening driving around Oglesby looking at Christmas lights.  The city clerk’s office compiled a map of homes competing in the “Light up the Night” Christmas light decorating contest.

Homeowners are competing in four categories. Judging is Wednesday and Thursday nights.  The winners will be announced Friday.

A link to the map is available by following this link.

Semi Crash Snarls Interstate Traffic Near Utica

A jackknifed semi snarled traffic near Utica for a couple hours but traffic is back to normal.

Just after 8:30am Monday a call went out about a semi crashing on westbound Interstate 80, about a half mile west of the Utica exit.  Utica firefighters were called to the crash for some diesel fuel that was leaking.

At least two people were taken to the hospital after a car went off Interstate 80 west of Spring Valley earlier this morning.  State Police also responded to a handful of minor crashes on or along Interstate 39.

Few Weeks Away From Conceal-Carry Application Rush

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois State Police will only accept online applications from people who want new concealed carry permits.

State Rep. Brandon Phelps says people should “have a choice” whether to file an application on paper or through their computer. He says some people may not have access to computers.

But Illinois State Police officials say they’re not set up to process paper applications. ISP spokeswoman Monique Bond says the paperless system is “more efficient, cost-effective and easier for other agencies.”

You can apply for conceal-carry permits starting Jan. 5.  State troopers anticipate 400,000 people will apply for concealed carry permits in the first year alone.

School Bus Slides Off Road Near Henry

No one was seriously hurt after a school bus slid off Route 18 near Henry.

Several ambulances from across the Illinois Valley responded to the crash scene Saturday morning in Putnam County. Eighteen students from the suburbs were looked at but only suffered minor injuries.

The bus was carrying students and chaperones from Rich Township in the south suburbs.

Peru could ban leaf burning on federal holidays

Holidays are popular days for cooking outside-whether it be grilling steaks or deep frying a turkey.  It’s also another day for your neighbors to burn their leaves but that could be changing in Peru.

The city council is considering a change to the leaf burning rules that would ban leaf burning on federal holidays.  They could also change the way businesses are fined for false fire alarms.

The city council meets at 7:30pm Monday.