Warrants issued for brothers in Streator tobacco shop robbery

One week after a store was held up in Streator, arrest warrants have been issued for two brothers. Investigators think 34-year-old Damon Garrabrant and 32-year-old Sean Garrabrant of Streator robbed the Tobacco Store on North Bloomington Street last Tuesday.

The Garrabrants are wanted for Armed Robbery, a Class X felony. Their bonds have been set at $250,000. The brothers haven’t been arrested because the police are trying to find them.

If you know where they are call the Streator Police Department or Streator Crime Stoppers.

Pickleball at the center of another argument in Peru

A padlock on the gate of the pickleball court in Peru upset a couple of players and aldermen.  The city council Monday night debated the padlock.

The pickleball court at 28th Street Park has bothered the neighbors since it was put in several years ago.  The city council agreed during the off season to move the pickleball court to Washington Park and change 28th back to tennis courts.  The change is taking long as they wait on a contractor.

The public property committee, which is Alderman Rodney Perez and Alderwoman Becky Mueller, recently decided that the change would begin June 1 and ordered the pickleball court to be locked.

The council Monday night took an informal vote to remove the padlock until the contractor actually changes the courts.  Mueller and Perez voted opposed.

Vandalism spree covers three Illinois Valley cities

Several business owners are going into work  and seeing their windows shot out.

Dozens of businesses and vehicles in Peru, La Salle and Oglesby were hit overnight Monday with what the Peru Police Department is calling “widespread and senseless acts of vandalism”. Reports are still coming in and so far police believe the number of businesses and vehicles hit tops 50.

If you were a victim overnight of the vandalism, call your police department and file a report. If you know who may have shot out the windows, call the Peru, La Salle or Oglesby Police Departments. You could receive a cash reward.

Price at the pump inching up at start of summer driving season

June has brought warmer weather in the Illinois Valley but not lower gas prices.

According to GasBuddy.com, the price at the pump in the Illinois Valley ranges from $3.57 a gallon at some stations in La Salle and Ottawa up to $3.69 a gallon in Oglesby, Utica, Mendota and Peru.

The statewide average is $3.97 for unleaded which is up thirteen cents a gallon from a week ago.

Peru to replace old guardrails

The paint is chipping off the wooden guardrail along Seventh Street as it dips through a ravine in Peru.  The wood has rotted from exposure and time.

It is one of several places where the guardrail is being replaced.  Co-public Works Superintendent Jeff King has made a list of rails that should be replaced.

Also being replaced are the guardrails along the LP curves and several dead ends.  The city council Monday said it was okay to get the project ready for bidding.