Former Grundy County bookkeeper accused of stealing money

Your county health department isn’t a huge money maker so if an employee is stealing money someone is bound to notice. Officials did in Grundy County. The former bookkeeper for the Grundy Health Department was charged with felony theft and felony official misconduct.

Renae Chronister of Morris was in Grundy County Criminal Court Thursday. She’s accused of pocketing $44,000 between 2009 and 2012 according to the Illinois Attorney General’s office.  Investigators believe Chronister would take cash payments from people using services at the health department and spend the money on lunch, shopping trips and getting her nails done.

County officials noticed that something wasn’t right in 2012. Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office became involved after being notified by the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s office. Chronister was fired in February 2013.

Work continues on Shooting Park Road

Shooting Park Road in Peru remains a bumpy ride.  Resurfacing of the road from Pulaski to Peoria Street began one moth ago.

The Public Works Department says the leveling binder is down. Crews with Len Trovero Construction continue to adjust manholes and inlets.  A sub-contractor is removing and replacing sidewalks on the south side of the road for at least another week.

Memorial waterfights return to honor late Peru fire chief

Don’t panic when you see a lot of firefighters and paramedics in Peru’s Centennial Park this Saturday. They’re just having some old fashioned water fights.

The water fights are raising money for the Gary Eccles Memorial Scholarship Fund. The former fire chief in Peru died last October after a battle with cancer.

Besides the water fights, there will be vendors and food for sale starting at 10 Saturday morning. The water fights will start around 11.

Both brothers accused of tobacco store robbery in custody

The search is over for a man accused of holding up a tobacco store with his brother. Damon Garrabrant of Streator was arrested Thursday morning in Brooksville, Florida.

Damon and Sean Garrabrant each face a charged of armed robbery for the hold up of the Tobacco Store in Streator last Tuesday. Sean was arrested Tuesday night in Streator and was being held in the La Salle County Jail.

Damon is being held in the Hernando County Jail in Florida.