Name released in Peru death investigation

Despite going missing for several weeks, investigators don’t think a man’s death in Peru was a case of foul play.

78-year-old James Aitken was pronounced dead at his home Wednesday. Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says Aitken hadn’t been seen for several weeks before he was found dead. He thinks Aitken was dead awhile before officers found him during a well-being check.

An autopsy was done Thursday and according to La Salle County Coroner Jody Bernard it revealed no trauma or foul play.
Peru Police are still investigating with help from the La Salle County Coroner, La Salle County State’s Attorney’s office and Illinois State Police crime scene team.

Oglesby couple accused of cruel treatment to a dog

A broken hip and leg are the injuries for a brindle pitbull found near Interstate 39 and Route 6. The animal was spotted Thursday afternoon after apparently being hit by a car.

Police believe the dog belonged to Steven and Tiffany Bottoms of Oglesby. The couple was ticketed earlier Thursday for allegedly allowing the dog to run loose.

Investigators believe the couple deserted the dog near the highway. The dog is in the care Illinois Valley Animal Rescue after being treated at Progress Park Veterinary Clinic in Peru.

Steven and Tiffany Bottoms were arrested for cruel treatment to an animal and were released with a notice to appear.

Senator Rezin proposes income tax checkoff to pay for Obama library

Would you visit a Barack Obama Presidential Library in Chicago?

State lawmakers seem to agree they want an Obama library in Illinois but are arguing over how to pay for it. State Senator Sue Rezin thinks the best plan is to let you donate part of your income tax return to help pay for the library.

Democrat Mike Madigan has proposed using $100 million in taxpayer money to pay for the library which Rezin says isn’t a good idea considering it would take money away from other services.

Rezin and other Republicans don’t think taxpayer money has ever been used for libraries of other living presidents.

IVCH burying time capsule as part of 100-year celebration

If you were to bury a time capsule with things from your home or work, what all would you want people to see 100 years from now?

As part of their 100th anniversary, Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru is burying a time capsule this Sunday. Among the things inside will be: a patient ID wristband; tablets of the three most common prescribed drugs at the IVCH pharmacy; a cleaning wipe; four-printed IVCH Facebook pages; and a food thermometer.

The time capsule is going into the memorial flower garden on the west side of the hospital. Public Relations Director Gene Vogelgesang hopes the capsule won’t be unearthed until another important milestone date for IVCH.