Latest phone scam claims to the IRS

Don’t let a person claiming to be from the IRS fool you out of money. The latest scam to have telephones ringing in the Illinois Valley tries to get you to send money or get arrested.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says by Friday morning they had received over a dozen calls from people saying they received the call.

What happens is a person claiming to be from the IRS tells you that you owe the IRS and must pay the money within 45 minutes to avoid arrest. Don’t fall for it.

Bernabei says you should to make your elderly relatives and friends aware.

Bus will take Streator students back and forth to college

If driving from Streator to Illinois Valley Community College seems like too long of a trip, there will soon be an alternative.

The IVCC board Thursday night approved a $2,500 payment to launch a direct bus route from Streator to IVCC five days a week. Streator is pitching in $5,000 for the route.

The school and city are using a bus from North Central Area Transit which is the countywide bus service.
IVCC officials think the direct route will mean up to 100 Streator students will enroll in GED and literacy courses.

Junior High pitching in to help families of accident victims in Streator

While they may be separate schools, Streator High and Northlawn Junior High share a community and many of their students and staff know each other.

The staff and students at Northlawn are raising money to help families of Streator High students involved in a fatal crash last Wednesday north of Streator. Thanksgiving week at Northlawn has been designated “Red and White Week” after Streator High’s school colors.

Staff at Northlawn are asked to make at least a five dollar donation to the four families affected and students can donate change into collection cups in each classroom. Principal Keri Jancek hopes to buy gas cards for families who are driving back and forth to see loved ones in Peoria.

Keegan Terry and Leo Cardoza remain in critical condition at St. Francis Medical Center. Ben Newton was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. William Phillips was the fourth passenger involved and he was treated at St. Mary’s Hospital.

Peru man accused of threatening bar owner with a knife

Bartenders probably see and hear a lot.

The owner of Vinnie’s Tap in Peru called the police for a man that allegedly threatened him. Matthew Pelka of Peru was arrested Wednesday night for aggravated assault and trespassing.

Pelka is accused of threatening the owner with a knife after refusing to leave. He was given a notice to appear.

Popular electronics recycling event coming to Oglesby

Have an old laptop or television to get rid of? Oglesby is hosting another electronics recycling collection.

Anyone living in La Salle County can drop off up to ten things Saturday at LeHigh Park between 9 and 1. They’ll recycle TV’s, computers, cell phones, DVD players, and video game systems. They won’t take car batteries.

If you live by Seneca, there’s also an electronics recycling pickup tomorrow from 9 until 1 at the Seneca Police Department.