Peru fireworks rescheduled to Labor Day weekend

You’ll have to wait until Labor Day weekend for the fireworks in Peru. City officials announced Wednesday that because the Illinois River is up and the ground soggy, they’ve decided to reschedule the fireworks and related activities to Sunday, August 31.

Police Chief Doug Bernabei says the high water is a safety concern and their back up launch spot is too wet.  Bernabei also says the current is strong and they’re concerned someone could drown if they fell in.

The CSO beer garden and food stands will also move to August 31.

Rosploch gets a day in her honor in La Salle

A young girl whose battle with childhood cancer has captivated the Illinois Valley received a special birthday gift from the City of La Salle and Governor Pat Quinn.

June 28, 2014 was proclaimed Lily Rose Rosploch Day in La Salle. It was her fifth birthday. The city council couldn’t make the proclamation official until last night. Rosploch has gained support as she is treated for neuroblastoma.

Woman murdered at I-39 rest stop

The Willow Creek Rest stop along Interstate 39 is less than 30 minutes north of the Illinois Valley. And it’s where police say a woman was attacked and murdered Monday night.

44-year-old Tonya Bargman of Monticello was found unresponsive by a rest stop worker.

State Police are looking for a heavy, blonde man named Terence Doddy. He’s 36 years old and from Rockford. Doddy is wanted for a murder in Rockford on Monday and police consider him a person of interest for yesterday’s killing based on surveillance video.

Police say Doddy left the southbound rest area in the woman’s gray 2013, Nissan Altima. The car has Illinois license plates that read B-A-R-M-N and the number two.

Police across the country are looking for the man and the car. If you spot Doddy or the car call 911.

Park officials still picking up the pieces at Starved Rock State Park

The cooler temperatures make it perfecting for walking the trails at Starved Rock State Park but if you drive out to the park, you’ll find most of the trails remain closed.

The strong storms Monday took down trees and branches. The main parking lot, boat ramp and picnic area were closed Wednesday.

You can still go to the visitor center and Starved Rock Lodge. The trails on the east side of the park leading to Ottawa, Illinois and Kaskaskia Canyons are also open.

La Salle talks about problem properties

Yards with overgrown bushes and high weeds and grass are not exclusive to La Salle.  Neither are vacant homes in need of repair but these are problems officials want to solve.

Cathy Tomlinson lives next to a vacant apartment building on Sixth Street.   She is fed up with the owner’s lack of action and Tuesday night asked the city council to take formal legal action against the owner.

The council agreed.  Alderman Jim Bacidore says he wishes they could put the run down houses next to the property owners’ homes.

Alderman Diz Demes thinks it is time they increase the fines for people who don’t cut their yards.  He suggested a $125 per hour charge for whenever a yard needs to be trimmed by a city worker.