Future of former Kaskaskia Hotel discussed

Aside from men working on the sidewalk, you don’t see much happening at the former Kaskaskia Hotel in La Salle. The owner of it and the adjacent apartment building was put on notice by city officials November 18 that any building code violations would have to be addressed or the demolition process started in 15 days.

City officials met Wednesday with the owner Blouke Carus.  Carus, through his spokeswoman says their initial conversations with city officials have been positive and productive. He says they’re exploring all options for the property.

Mayor Jeff Grove says Carus is considering repairs to the failing roof over the apartments.  It was one of many violations.

Carus has long had a desire to renovate the hotel but apparently has not been able to attract the necessary investors.

Name released in “significant” heroin bust on the east side of Peru

If you’ve been following the story of a heroin bust in Peru, the name of the man arrested has been released.

La Salle County State’s Attorney Brian Towne says 43-year-old Jeffrey Scholle was arrested Wednesday. He’s getting treatment at a hospital and hasn’t shown up in court yet. Towne says his bail has been set at two million dollars.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says officers moved in just after sunrise Wednesday morning at a home near the Illinois Valley Y. He says they found 50 grams of heroin, much of it in raw powder form, and approximately $10,000 in cash.

Bernabei called the arrest “significant” and says it came after police pulled off several undercover drug buys.

Pearl Harbor anniversary will be marked with ceremony and parade in Peru

Before the Christmas parade and lighting of the tree at Peru City Hall, area veterans will remember the U.S. service members that were killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

A Pearl Harbor Remembrance Parade steps off from the Peru River Rescue Station on Water Street at 11:30am Saturday. Participants march to the Peru South Shore Boat Club where there will be a ceremony and the Peru Municipal Band will perform. A Pearl Harbor survivor from Streator is expected to attend.

Second firearm deer season gets underway across the state

The camo and blaze orange clothes are back in full swing.

The second part of Illinois’ firearm deer season began at sunrise Thursday and wraps up at sundown on Sunday. During the first part of firearm season which was three days, over 1400 deer were shot down when you combine La Salle, Bureau and Putnam County numbers.

A reminder if you get a deer, you can take it to Freedom Sausage in Earlville as part of the annual “Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger” fundraiser. Freedom Sausage will process the deer and donate the meat to food pantries.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to help pay processing costs.

Peru plans parade and caroling to celebrate holiday season

If you plan on stopping by downtown Peru for the City Hall Christmas open house Saturday, there a few corrections to a story you heard earlier on Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO.

The open house at City Hall featuring the new 15-foot tall Christmas tree is at 12:30. The tree will feature decorations made by grade school students.

After that, your family can catch watch the Peru Santa Parade. It will leave Fourth and Cross Streets at 1:30 and follow Fourth Street to the fire station.

Senator Rezin votes against raising the state minimum wage

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Illinois Senate has passed legislation that would raise the state’s minimum wage.

The bill passed the Senate by a 39-18 vote, with State Senator Sue Rezin of Morris voting against it. She thinks a decision on the minimum wage shouldn’t happen until Bruce Rauner takes over as governor next month.

The law would by 2019 increase Illinois’ minimum wage to $11 an hour for workers 18 and older. Despite the Senate’s action, the House has left Springfield for the year so they won’t vote on raising the minimum wage until 2015.