Differences exist over election message

Republican leaders and President Barack Obama say the message of the midterm elections is clear: Voters want them to work together. But on what?
Exit polls show the two parties’ voters, like their politicians, are far apart on immigration, health care and climate change. The voters can’t even agree on whether the economy is looking worse or getting better.

Hy-Vee Peru Vets breakfast Tuesday

Your Peru Hy-Vee thinks highly of the nation’s veterans and will show it Tuesday. Assistant store director, Steven O’Neil says eggs, pancakes, sausage, biscuits, gravy and juice will be served free to all veterans.
A 8am ceremony with color guard will precede the buffet-style meal. O’Neil expects 300 to 500 vets over a 3-hour period.
Hy-Vee’s Homefront promotion allows customers through November 16 to donate to veterans by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar. The home office will match donations up to $100,000.

Chicago students warned about robberies

Police are warning students at the University of Chicago and nearby residents to be cautious after four recent robberies in their area. 
Police say the robberies occurred at various times of day and night beginning October 31. The most recent was Friday.

33-year-old plays college football

Tom Hruby, a 33-year-old active Navy SEAL, made his debut for Northwestern in the Wildcats 10-9 loss versus Michigan Saturday.  A junior who walked on this season, Hruby was in on the game’s opening kickoff. The married father of 3 was recently cleared to play by the Navy.

Storm sending cold to Midwest

A massive storm is slowly moving east after blasting parts of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands with hurricane-force winds. And forecasters say that means the Plains states are likely to get a blast of very cold air and snow. They say the remnants of Typhoon Nuri will generate a high-pressure system that will push frigid air into eastern Montana and the Dakotas Sunday. The cold is expected to spread south into the central Plains Monday.

Family donates girl’s heart

A spokesman for the family of a 5-year-old girl who was killed while sitting on her grandfather’s lap says the family has donated her heart.
The family and police held a news conference Saturday in Milwaukee to urge the community to help find the people responsible.  Laylah Petersen was hit in the head Thursday by a bullet.
The girl’s mother, father, two aunts and two grandparents hugged officers who responded to the scene.

Ottawa library ribbon-cutting today

Relax with your feet up and a good book at the newly renovated Reddick Library.  The 35-year-old public library in Ottawa has undergone a facelift offering more places to relax,  plug in your device and better lighting for reading.

Kathy Clair is the library director.  She says the new quiet reading preserves the warm, cozy feel of a traditional library. Many of the renovations were based on suggestions, but others were out of necessity.

A ribbon cutting occurs at 2pm Sunday at the library.  Learn more by listening to an interview  up at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

Police still investigating accidents

No new information on either of 2 accidents reported here Saturday – the first on the Bureau / Lee County line and the other north of Peru.

A 9-1-1 call was made to the Lee County Sheriff around 9am about a rollover crash north of Ohio on Union road near Route 26. First officers on the scene said 2 adults had been thrown from the car while a baby remained inside in its carseat. The car ended up on its top. Medical helicopters came to the scene along with firefighters from Princeton, Walnut and Ohio.

About 3:15pm, on Route 251 north of Peru, a 2 car collision brought med copters to the scene of the Lighthouse Baptist Church. A portion of Route 251 was closed for a time. The Sheriff’s office is investigating. We’ll have more when it’s available.