A funny fairy tale for children planned for the Hegelar Carus Mansion

You probably know somebody that needs to be the center of attention. Perhaps you could take them to a performance coming up at the Hegelar Carus Mansion in La Salle.

“Grunella, The Story Stealer” is a play about a delusional, high-strung, witch in Fairy Tale Land who is so desperate for her own story she casts a spell over all princesses including Snow White and Cinderella.

The play is a production by the Illinois Valley Community College Theater Department. It was written and directed by IVCC’s Dr. David Kuester.

Performances are at seven Friday night and at one, four, and seven Saturday at the mansion. Because seating is limited, you must make a reservation online at the mansion’s website.

St. Bede Academy graduate speaks at Peru Veteran’s Day service

Rows of school children wearing red, white and blue sat on the Peru Washington School gym floor before a man in army fatigues.

Chris Kerasotes is a sophomore at the University of Illinois where he’s in the ROTC. Though he is closer in age to the students, his heart is in the same place as the Peru Veteran’s Memorial Group at the Veteran’s Day service.

Kerasotes was the keynote speaker at Tuesday morning’s program. He says he joined the ROTC because of his family and patriotism and also so his siblings and friends wouldn’t have to experience war.

Kerasotes graduated from St. Bede Academy in 2012. He’s studying history and geography at U of I and will continue his military service after earning a Bachelor’s degree.

The Peru Veteran’s Memorial Group holds a service at Washington Park every year. The service was moved inside of the school due to the weather. Their next public military program will be for Pearl Harbor Day.1

Donations needed for the IV Food Pantry

Could you spare a can of corn or green beans? Someone you might know could use the food. The Illinois Valley Food Pantry is planning to provide Thanksgiving meals to 2,200 people in La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and a few other small communities.

Executive Director Donna Hess says the number of people they’re helping this year hasn’t changed from recent holidays but the donations aren’t coming in as quickly.  She also says the price of food has increased.

Hess says medium and large families will receive turkeys and smaller families will receive small hams. She’s hoping you’ll donate the sides like instant potatoes, stuffing mix, canned vegetables, Jello, and soup.

You can donate to the pantry by leaving items at the office on Marquette Street in La Salle are by contributing to a food drive at one of the local grade schools.

Learn more by listening to an interview that’s up at the Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO news page.

Spring Valley City Council debates what to do with empty lot

Most would agree an empty lot is better than a rundown building. However not all Spring Valley council members think a parking lot is better than an empty lot.

According to the NewsTribune, the council debated last night whether they should continue to allow people to park in an empty lot on E. Saint Paul Street. The lot used to house a rundown building that the city paid to have torn down.

Alderman Chuck Hansen didn’t think they spent $100,000 for a parking lot. Alderwoman Deb Baltikauski doesn’t mind cars parking on the lot saying at least it looks like its being used as part of the city.

Everyone but Hansen agreed to allow parking in the vacant lot during the day but not overnight.

Two people sent to a hospital after crash in Tonica

A rough stretch of crashes on Illinois Valley roads continues.

Two people were hurt after an accident Monday evening on Route 251 in Tonica. The crash involved two vehicles with Tonica and Oglesby first responders and the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office handling the crash.

Two people were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital with minor injuries.

Two teens in critical condition after fatal crash north of Streator

Almost a week after a crash that killed a Streator High School student, two other teens remain hospitalized. The crash happened Wednesday night north of Streator.

Investigators say the four boys were thrown from a car that ended up in a field. 17-year-old Benjamin Newton of Streator was pronounced dead at the scene.
One boy was treated at St. Mary’s Hospital in Streator. Two other boys are in critical condition in St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Investigators haven’t said who was driving or how the crash happened.

Local senator wants the Illinois Valley to be ready for the next big flood

With two destructive floods in the last decade, leaders in the Illinois Valley are trying to prepare for the next big one.

Members of the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Natural Resources and city leaders across the Illinois Valley are taking part in a “Flood Fighting School” tomorrow in Ottawa. A Regional Flood Coalition put together by State Senator Sue Rezin will meet starting at 1:30 in the La Salle County EMA building on Etna Road in Ottawa.

Rezin says the goal in the Illinois Valley is to be proactive instead of reactive. By having flood plans and a solid regional coalition, Rezin thinks it will put the Illinois Valley in the front of the line when it comes to asking for state and federal help with floods.