Peru receives long awaited state grant

While wintry weather was hitting Peru Saturday, the city was being selected for a state grant to help pay for a splash pad.

Mayor Scott Harl,  Alderman Rodney Perez and members of the Friends for Peru Pool were at the press conference where Governor Pat Quinn announced a round of IDNR OSLAD grants. The grant of 256-thousand would be matched by the city to pay for a splash pad,  a new parking lot in Washington Park,  dirt volleyball court and bocce ball and baggo area.   Batting cages will be relocated a short distance away.

The Mayor told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” Saturday he was happy for the “Friends of Peru Pool”.  He said the city would work to make items covered by the grant functional by perhaps, mid-summer.

The city and members of the Friends for Peru Pool have been looking to bring something back to the park after the city swimming pool closed in 2010.

 

Lily Rosploch’s battle against cancer takes a rough turn

The new year has brought tough news regarding Lily Rosploch’s much publicized fight against cancer.

Family members of the 5-year-old Rosploch posted a message on the “Rally for Lily” Facebook page saying they were told Friday night that doctors have exhausted all means to save Lily. The family was told she can no longer endure any treatment.

Rosploch was diagnosed in 2012 with Neuroblastoma, a form of cancer. Since then, she and her family have been making trips for treatment to Chicago, Peoria and Memphis.

A fund for the Rosploch family is set up at North Central Bank in Ladd.

Streator couples produce first 2015 babies in the Illinois Valley

The first baby of the new year at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa has arrived.

Adalynn Lankford arrived just before two Friday morning. She’s 7 pounds, 8 ounces and 20 inches long. Adalynn’s parents are Anna Crawford and Jonathan Lankford of Streator.

The first 2015 baby at Illinois Valley Community Hospital also arrived Friday morning. Ethan Thomas Van Houten weighed 10 pounds and 6 ounces. His parents are also from Streator, Nathaniel and Abigail Van Houten.

Deputies say Oglesby driver was drunk when she hit a tree

A woman trying to get back to Oglesby from La Salle didn’t make it after crashing into a tree.

According to the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, Marjorie Perkins of Oglesby was on Route 351 south of 1st Street in La Salle Friday night when she left the road and hit a tree. She was arrested for DUI, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving without insurance.

Perkins was treated and released from IVCH and then taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Snow could cause travel headaches in the Illinois Valley

If you’re planning to drive anywhere Saturday night into Sunday morning, be aware that snow’s in the forecast.

Snow is expected to fall after midnight Saturday with it being heavy for brief moments. One to three inches of snow is possible by time it ends Sunday morning.

If you’re driving late Saturday into Sunday morning be prepared for slick roads and lower visibility.

Four Illinoisans killed in Kentucky plane crash

EDDYVILLE, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky State Police have identified four Illinoisans in a small plane crash that was survived by a 7-year-old girl who walked away from the wreckage.

The victims of the Friday evening crash are 49-year-old Marty Gutzler; 45-year-old Kimberly Gutzler; their daughter, 9-year-old Piper Gutzler; and her cousin, 14-year-old Sierra Wilder. All four were from Nashville in southern Illinois.

The name of the 7-year-old survivor is being withheld at the request of family.