“Significant” heroin arrests made in Mendota

If it seems like there have been a lot of drug busts recently that’s because there have been.  Officers with TRIDENT arrested 12 people for heroin related charges in the past week.

And they say two arrests in Mendota Friday will have a significant impact on local drug dealers.  Sergio Arzola and Sabas Villereal of Mendota arrested for possession of more than 15 grams of heroin with intent to deliver after officers searched an apartment on Main Street.

Police say they also found items used for packing heroin and a lot of cash.

Arzola and Villereal were being held in the La Salle County Jail with their bond set at $2 million each.

Typo discovered on La Salle County specimen ballot

New ballots are on the way in La Salle County because of a typo.  The error was found this week after the specimen ballots were distributed. 

The alderman at-large question should read, “Shall Peru restrict the number of aldermen to six,” but instead of “restrict” is said “redistrict”. 

Peru City Clerk David Bartley says he takes responsibility for the mistake.  He says the error happened on the certification. 

La Salle County Clerk JoAnne Carretto says new ballots have been ordered, the absentee/early voting equipment, Election Day tabulators and the specimen ballot on the county’s website have been corrected. 

Paintings and photos needed for Zonta Art Show

Art is for everyone.  Even if the last picture you painted was only displayed on your mother’s refrigerator, you can share your work at a local art show. 

Pieces are needed for the Zonta Club of La Salle-Peru’s annual Art Show.  Your subject matter is “Life is an adventure” and it’s open to your interpretation.  Pieces can be paintings, photos, or mixed media. 

Your work will be shown and raffled off during the show April 27 at MarkAllen’s American Kitchen in Peru.  Canvasses and tickets are available through any Zonta member.  Pieces should be submitted to MarkAllens or any Zonta member by April 10.

Contributing artists will have free admission to the art show otherwise tickets are $25.

Man and woman arrested for heroin in Streator

A large amount of heroin is what police say they found while searching a house in Streator.  Officers with TRIDENT went through the house on West Elm Street Thursday and arrested Benjamin Gomes and Stephanie Murray of Streator.

Gomes was charged with possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver while Murray was charged with possession after she allegedly had some of the drug on her at the police department.  Both were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

The Beach Boys Booked For Bureau County Fair

Rock N’ Roll hall-of-famers The Beach Boys will play Princeton this summer.

The band will perform their hits which span over 50 years at the Bureau County Fair.  The Beach Boys will be on the grandstand stage Thursday, August 21st.  Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 7th and range in price from $27 to $37.

Bureau County Fair Director Tracy Brenneman says its the 40th annual fair concert.  He says for awhile fans had been asking for a non-country concert.

Concealed-Carry Licenses Coming To Mailbox Near You

If you applied for and got the okay to get a concealed-carry permit, they should be in the mail soon. State troopers say the first round of approved concealed-carry licenses are ready to be mailed.

Last year Illinois became the last state to allow you to carry a concealed gun.  To get a permit, you need to undergo hours of training and have your application approved by police.

La Salle County has over 20 licensed concealed-carry instructors.  You can find a list by clicking https://ccl4illinois.com/ccw/Public/FindInstructor.aspx

More Building Problems At Midland Elementary

Building problems are piling up at Midland Elementary School in Lacon.

The school board this week approved a resolution to repair a gym truss issue.  A piece of the gym wall fell to the floor last week and ever since the gym has remained closed.  Repairs are expected to be done next week.

Thursday, two kindergarten classrooms were closed after mold was found behind three posters.  A few weeks ago, students were asked to bring water bottles with them because of water issues in the building.

The Midland Elementary School Board is in the process of buying land and drawing up plans for a new school.

Weekend Snow Expected In Three Phases

There will be snow this weekend but it’s probably not enough to rush out to the store and stock up.

The National Weather Service says for the Illinois Valley, expect maybe an inch of snow tonight.  Then from Saturday afternoon through the evening, there could be another 2 to 4 inches.  Sunday could also bring a few inches of snow. 

As of now, forecasters say the southern parts of the listening area will see the most snow this weekend. 

Drivers at Euclid Beverage go on strike

A better wage is why a worker at Euclid Beverage says he and at least a dozen other drivers are on strike.  The strike started Thursday outside of the distribution center on the north end of Peru.  A sign held by one man said they wanted a contract.

A woman at the company’s corporate office in Aurora said they had no comment.  A call to Teamsters Local 722 hasn’t been returned.

Euclid delivers Coor’s products.

Tween clothing store to open in Peru

You’ll have another place to buy kid’s clothing in Peru.  A store that claims to be for fashion aware tweens is scheduled to open next week at the Peru Mall.  Justice & Brothers is marketed towards boys and girls ages 7 through 14.

It’s scheduled to open Tuesday.  You’ll find it across from Marshall’s.