Farmers and neighbors question sand mine’s impact on creek and canal

The Pecumsaugum Creek is no Illinois River but it’s important to many of the people farming and living near it. Quality Sand Products is asking the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit so it can discharge water from a sand plant in La Salle into the creek.

A panel from the IEPA was at LP High School Tuesday night to get your concerns before making decision about the permit.

Rick Coleman says the creek runs through his farm. He is also concerned about the plant discharge raising the level of the creek and contributing to washouts along the Illinois and Michigan Canal.

La Salle County Board Member Mike Kasap asked the panel to check if it would impact the City of La Salle’s well fields.

If you weren’t able to be at the hearing but have comments for the IEPA, they’re taking comments through July 2. They won’t make a decision about the permit until after they issue a Responsiveness Summary.

Peru man launches write-in campaign for governor

You have five months to decide whom you’ll choose to be the next Illinois Governor. A man from Peru is hoping you’ll write in his name, Chico Perez.

The licensed real estate broker has mailed certified letters of intent to each county or election commission in Illinois. He’s running as an Independent and describes himself as a far right independent conservative.  Perez says his campaign will be about pushing property tax appeals.

Perez says he decided in 1981 he would run for a state office. Last June he decided the office would be the governor’s. Perez is the brother of Peru alderman Rodney Perez.

Learn more about Perez’s campaign by listening to an interview that’s up at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Hard rock festival coming to Peru airport in August

If you’ve been hoping the next “Concert for a Cause” in Peru would be something other than country, you’ve got your wish.

The “Uproar Festival” put on by Rockstar Energy Drink is coming to the Illinois Valley Regional Airport Saturday, August 16th. The festival will include over a dozen hard rock bands with the biggest names being Godsmack, Buckcherry and Seether.

Tickets are $48 are will go on sale this Friday online or by calling Lou’s La Grotto in Peru. Proceeds from the “Uproar Festival” show will go to Centennial Elementary School in Streator.

La Salle teenager identified as driver who died in Ottawa sand pit

If you’ve been following the story of a man driving into a sand pit in Ottawa, it was a recent graduate of L-P High School.

La Salle County Sheriff Tom Templeton says 17-year-old Zachary Behrens of La Salle was pronounced dead Monday night after driving into a pool of water on the U.S. Silica Sand property along Boyce Memorial Drive.

Investigators think Behrens was speeding down Main Street around seven Monday night when he hit a curb, drove through a grassy area, crashed through a security fence, went up and over an embankment and down about 60 feet into a sand pit filled with water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy is scheduled Tuesday. The crash remains under investigation.

More space needed at popular Oglesby park

The newest park in Oglesby may be expanding.

According to the NewsTribune, fundraisers are planned to raise money to buy five acres of land to expand McPhedran Park to the west. The expansion would include sports fields, restrooms and more parking.

Mayor Don Finley says the park has been packed since it opened on the city’s west side last year and they need more space. The park already includes a walking path, playground and workout equipment and a fishing pond.

Ottawa High officials release statement on building trades debate

While it’s not a face-to-face response, Ottawa High School Board members and administrators have released a statement about what they call “considerable misinformation” regarding the building trades.

School officials posted the statement on the district website under the heading “Public Information”. The statement starts with administrators and board members admitting they haven’t done a good job of clarifying or responding to concerns which has contributed to the “continued frustration” in the community.

School officials say OTHS has a $3 million deficit and building trades was one many difficult budget cuts made. They argue the housing downtown makes building trades projects “financially imprudent” and costly to the school. Alleged declining enrollment was also said to be a factor in cutting the class.

When it comes to bullying, school officials say there has been no formal complaints from students of being bullied by administrators nor has the teacher’s union brought any bullying complaints to the board. They also argue that students suspended for walking out of classes were given over an hour to get back into class and by not doing so created a dangerous situation. School officials say the protestors were treated fairly within the student discipline policy.

To read the entire statement, click http://www.ottawahigh.com/information

Peru to have railroad appraised

Several miles of railroad owned by Peru are being appraised.  Mayor Scott Harl says they want to know what kind of income could be made.

The city council Monday hired a firm to find out the value of the right-of-way and salvage value.

The city is negotiating with Illinois Railway.