New businesses planned for downtown La Salle

Almost everyday in 2013 you saw a construction crew remodeling a building in downtown La Salle.  And you’ll see more of that this year on First Street and Route 6. 

La Salle Economic Development Director Don Aleksy expects announcements for new businesses later this month.  One building you’ll see remodeled is the old Senica’s Appliance store on First Street.  It was recently sold.  He says that along with the remodeled building across the street will make the entrance to the city nicer.

While a lot is happening downtown, he says they’re trying to develop land in the new Community Partnership TIF district.  That area includes the new LP High School sports complex.

On Route 6 you’ll see a new Casey’s General Store going up across the street from its current spot.  Aleksy says it’s scheduled to open in September.  Construction on a Beck’s gas station at Third and Bucklin will begin as soon as the weather allows.

An interview with Aleksy is available at the WLPO news page.

Man wanted for Spring Valley home invasion in custody

The investigation into a shooting that happened in Spring Valley is coming together.  A 19-year-old wanted for home invasion returned to Bureau County Monday after turning himself in to the Chicago Police.

Investigators think Joshua Neslon of Chicago and La Salle was one of two people responsible for a shooting at 505 West Cleveland Street December 20.  A man from Ladd had to be treated for a gunshot wound to his lower back.

Police said they thought it was part of a drug deal gone wrong.  A warrant was issued for Nelson a few days later.

Missing Peru dump truck found find in a wildlife area

The missing Peru dump truck has been found but it’s in rough shape.  As of Thursday, the truck was in the Marshall County Fish and Wildlife area along the Illinois River.

Peru Alderman Rodney Perez announced Wednesday that the truck had been found.  It was reported missing from a city garage in September.

The bright orange International truck was found over the weekend by a hunter according to Conservation Police Sgt. Hank Frazier.  He says they waited until the weather was better to go out to the site which is a mile south of Route 18.

Frazier says the truck is all torn up with its windows knocked out.  The Peru Police Department is leading the investigation.

New Year’s Baby Arrives In Peru

The first baby of 2014 has been born at Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

Christine Sulwer of Marseilles gave birth to a baby girl New Year’s Day night.  The father is her husband Aaron.  The couple named their New Year’s baby Colette Elizabeth.  She’s eight pounds and 19 inches.

IVCH Public Relations Director Gene Vogelgesang says there were four New Year’s Eve babies with the latest coming just two hours before 2014.

Local And State Fatal Crash Numbers Go Up In 2013

2013 was a deadlier year on Illinois Valley highways compared to 2012.

La Salle County had 12 people die on state highways and interstates last year, up from 11 the year before.  Nine of the people killed were drivers, the other three were passengers.

In Bureau County, five people were killed in crashes last year, down from seven the year before.  All five fatalities in Bureau County were drivers.

After going all of 2012 without a fatal crash, Putnam County did have one deadly crash last year that killed a driver and a passenger.

Statewide, 973 people were killed on highways and interstates last year, 16 more than 2012.

Services Announced For Cora Peters

The Walnut teen and Bureau Valley homecoming queen who fought cancer “like a boss” will be remembered this weekend.

Services for 18-year old Cora Peters will be Saturday at Bureau Valley High School.  Peters died Monday in Peoria after a fight with cancer.

Her battle became well publicized in the Illinois Valley.  A Facebook page that followed Cora’s plight called “Cora’s Crew: Fighting Cancer Like a Boss” has well over 11 thousand likes.

You can hear service details for Cora Peters during Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO’s In Memoriam.