Grief support group to hold walk and balloon launch

When you lose a child, no matter their age, you lose a piece of yourself. You don’t have to grieve alone. The local chapter of Compassionate Friends meets once a month.

Sunday they’re trying something new- a walk and balloon release at Baker Lake in Peru.  Rita Studzinski lost a child nearly 13 years ago. She’s hoping the walk will help them reach out to people who could use the support.

Registration is at 9am Sunday with the walk at 10am. It is $10 to enter with the money to be spent on research and educational materials.  Learn more about the group and the walk by listening to an interview that’s available at the WLPO AM and FM news page.

Ottawa man accused of violating an order of protection

An order of protection only works if it is followed. Police in Ottawa say it wasn’t. Shawn Duffy of Ottawa was arrested Sunday for allegedly violating an order of protection. Duffy was also accused of having heroin and was arrested for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and was taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Earlville woman killed in motorcycle crash that allegedly involved alcohol

A husband is in the hospital and his wife is dead after a motorcycle crash last night near the La Salle-DeKalb county line.

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office says Jeffery Dorsen of Earlville was northbound on West County Line Road Sunday night when he failed to manage a curve. His Harley Trike ended up overturning in a ditch, throwing him and his 69-year old wife Paula from the trike.

Paula Dorsen also of Earlville was pronounced dead at the scene. Jeffery Dorsen was flown to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford. He was arrested for DUI.

The fatal crash is still under investigation.

Fundraiser for firefighting scholarship that honors former Peru chief

Do you have a child dreaming of becoming a firefighter? Money will be raised this Saturday for a scholarship benefitting L-P students who study fire science.

The “Firefighters & Friends Fighting For Gary” drive-thru dinner is from 3 until 7 at the Peru Fire Department. It’s an effort to raise money for the Gary Eccles Memorial Scholarship Fund. Two students received the scholarship last spring.

Eccles is a former Peru fire chief who died from cancer last fall.

IVCH hosting another flu shot clinic

Ready to roll up your sleeve and get a flu shot?

Illinois Valley Community Hospital is hosting a flu clinic tomorrow at Liberty Village in Peru. You can get a flu shot between 9 and 11. Flu shots are $30. You can also get a Pneumonia shot for $85.

The flu season usually starts in October in the United States.

Medical marijuana application deadline is today for growers

The state will accept applications for medical marijuana businesses until 3pm Monday.

There are around a dozen different companies trying to get the one license for a cultivation center in the District 17 state police coverage area. Peru, Oglesby, La Salle, Princeton and Ottawa all have approved plans for a cultivation center.

Providing medical marijuana to Illinois customers won’t be cheap. Growers will pay a 7% privilege tax on their marijuana sales and there is a non-refundable application fee of $25,000 and a first-year registration fee of $200,000.

Christmas Pageant auditions scheduled at Stage 212

It’s too early to be thinking about Christmas, but not a Christmas play.   Auditions are Friday and Saturday for Stage 212’s, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”.

The cast calls for children from second grade through high school. Auditions are at 6pm Friday and 1pm Saturday.  Performances will run from December 11 through 14.