DEA takes over I-80 drug bust

Earlier this week you heard about police allegedly finding 62 pounds of cocaine during a traffic stop in Bureau County.  State Police Troopers arrested Patrick Romolt and George Skoubis of Arizona Sunday after pulling over Romolt for speeding on Interstate 80.

The Illinois State Police announced Thursday that the investigation has been taken over by the DEA.  Romolt now faces a federal charge of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.  Skoubis won’t face charges.

Association wants to make Route 6 a destination

Economic development in Peru has been concentrated mostly north of Shooting Park Road.  A new group has been assembled to return some of the focus to Route 6.

The Route 6 Association is a group of business owners selected by Economic Development Director Bob Vickery.  Vickery explained the association to the accounts and finance committee Wednesday.  He rolled out a map of Route 6 that was longer than the conference table.

Vickery says they want to make Route 6 a destination and give it a presence.  He says one idea includes hanging banners and planters from street lights.

The association met for the first time in November and has about a dozen members.  A second meeting hasn’t been scheduled yet. Vickery says eventually they’ll make a presentation to the city council and open up the group to more people.

Utica Village Board Welcomes New Sand Mine

Make way for another sand mine in Utica.

After a 28-hour hearing spread out over five nights, the Utica Village Board of Trustees voted 5-2 in favor of Aramoni, LLC mining for sand north of Love’s Travel Stop. According to the NewsTribune, trustees Kevin “Chops” Stewart, Ron Pawlak, Joe Bernardoni, John Schweickert and Village President Gloria Alvarado all voted in favor of the mine. Trustees Matt Jereb and Jim Schrader said no.

The former police chief Bernardoni doesn’t think the mine will adversely affect tourism and told the packed audience “if you care about your neighbor, don’t sell your land to a developer.  It’s as simple as that”.

In voting no, Schrader says he doesn’t think the mine fits with Utica’s comprehensive plan.  Meanwhile Jereb also voted against the last sand mine near the Osage Curves.

Aramoni says they’ll bring 30 full-time jobs and pump 25 million into the local economy. The mine is also expected to allow the board to lower property taxes.

Opponents though think another mine will worsen the air quality, use up valuable farmland, create unwanted noise with blasting and increase truck traffic.

Dangerous Wind Chills Continue Into Friday

The relentless winter continues with dangerous wind chills.

A new Wind Chill Advisory takes effect at 9 Thursday evening and lasts through Friday morning.  It could feel like 15 to 30 below into Friday morning.

Saturday’s forecast still includes a good chance of snow.