Two more medical marijuana businesses have plans for Peru

A site on Industrial Drive and another on May Road are the newest potential medical marijuana cultivation centers in Peru. Land north of Interstate 80 has attracted at least four companies wishing to capitalize off the recently legalized drug.

Former State Senator Gary Dahl and Jon Chamlin are scheduled to talk Monday evening about a cultivation center proposed for 10 acres of land at May and Donlar Roads.

They are to be followed by Dr. Christine Heck. She’ll be talking about Progress Treatment Solution’s proposal for a site on Industrial Drive.

Both presentations will be part of the Committee of the Whole meeting beginning at 6pm.  Both companies plus the Med Farm are asking for special uses.

During the regular city council meeting at 7:30pm, the city council will likely give Agricare Labs a special use to turn the old Yellow Trucking terminal into a cultivation center.

Only one cultivation center will be licensed to operation in State Police District 17.  That decision will be made by state officials.

Cops 4 Cancer returns to Cedar Point Saturday

If you love hair metal bands and assisting people fighting cancer, you may want to spend Saturday in Cedar Point.  The annual Cops 4 Cancer fundraiser opens at 12pm Saturday in the park. 

The musical lineup includes “Hairbangers Ball”.  A $20 ticket gets you live music plus food, water and soda.  

Cops 4 Cancer raises money to assist people with cancer pay their bills. Over $250,000 has been raised by the group in the last decade.

 

Racing underway at Lake DePue

Racers were making waves on Lake DePue. The 30th annual Pro National Championship Boat Races began Friday afternoon. After several heats, racing was delay due to strong winds. The races continue through Sunday.

In addition to the racing, the DePue Men’s Club is selling food and hosting a beer garden.

Saturday brings a 5k run-walk, games for the kids and a teen dance. It’s $3 to watch the races but the nightly entertainment is free.

Another tree award for Ottawa

Along with murals, Ottawa also has a lot of trees. The city’s tree-care efforts have garnered national recognition.

The National Arbor Day Foundation has awarded Ottawa its Tree City USA Growth Award for the fourth consecutive year. The award is based on significant improvements to a city’s tree program in the last year.

Ottawa Tree Board chairman Brent Barron credits the city’s aggressive approach in dealing with oak trees hit by the emerald ash borer and planting of hundreds of new trees as reasons for the award.

Groundbreaking date announced for Northview School addition in Peru

The first day of school is always an exciting time. A groundbreaking will be part of the festivities at Northview Elementary School in Peru.

The first dirt will be moved Wednesday, August 20th on an $11 million addition and renovation project at Northview. A 40,000 square-foot addition will bring 2nd thru 4th graders over to Northview from Washington Elementary.

The district received an $11 million state construction grant and instead of pumping money into the aging Washington School, they decided to put all the construction money into adding onto Northview. The new Northview will include a new entrance, more parking and a new gym.

Huge disparity in gas prices across the Illinois Valley

Fifteen miles can make a lot of difference in what you pay for gas.

According to GasBuddy.com, prices at the pump in La Salle and Peru have dropped to as low as $3.25 a gallon. Yet on the eastern side of the county Ottawa and Streator stations have jumped up to $3.55 to $3.59 a gallon.

The cheapest gas in the state right now is in Bloomington-Normal with prices down to $3.13 a gallon.

Monster trucks invade Marshall County

If you don’t mind getting a little dirty there’s fun to be had this weekend in Lacon.

A “Monster Truck Throwdown” is happening Friday and Sunday at the Marshall County Sand Trap which is north of Route 17 on the east end of Lacon. Organizers are calling it the largest monster truck show in Illinois.

Besides the big trucks there’s also motorcycle stunt riding, live music and a beer tent. Tickets are $20 a person.

Children 10 and under get in free.