Longtime Illinois Valley state representative battling cancer

State Representative Frank Mautino has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

The Democrat says during a routine doctor’s visit in January, his doctor found a mass. After a biopsy in February, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Mautino says his prognosis is good and he expects to make a full recovery.

He is undergoing chemotherapy and will eventually have radiation treatment and surgery. Mautino says he’s adjusted his treatment schedule so he can still represent his district in Springfield.

New barge terminal bringing jobs and over 30 million investment to Peru

A new fertilizer and grain barge terminal in Peru will bring a small amount of jobs but a lot of tax dollars.

The Peru City Council Monday night approved an annexation agreement, zoning change and permits for a 31 million dollar investment. The barge loading facility will handle corn and soybeans and have a 47,000 ton capacity fertilizer warehouse. It’s a partnership between CHS, Inc. out of Minnesota and Northern Partners Cooperative in Mendota.

The companies plan on hiring at least eight people when their barge terminal is up and running by next spring. It’ll be south of Market Street along the Illinois River.

Alderman Mike Radtke says this shows that people still want to invest in Peru and it should help stabilize the city’s tax rate.

Oglesby plans electronics recycling event

The ever popular electronics recycling drop off is coming to Oglesby.

If you live in Oglesby you can drop off old televisions, computers, DVD players and cellphones Saturday, March 21st from 9 until 1 at the Oglesby Pool parking lot. Things like appliances won’t be accepted.

You have to live in Oglesby to take advantage of the free electronics drop off. Proof of your address is required.

You can drop off up to ten things.

Classic rock audio engineer from Streator succumbs to cancer

If you’re a fan of Rod Stewart, there’s a good chance George Tutko had a role in engineering the song.

The 61-year-old Tutko died Sunday after a battle with cancer. He was born and raised in Streator and graduated from Streator High School. Tutko moved out to Los Angeles and was an audio engineer for the likes of Stewart, Bob Dylan, Kiss and John Mellencamp.

Stewart himself phoned Tutko’s wife Ana to offer condolences.

Henry firefighters put out jacuzzi fire

Firefighters have to be prepared for everything. An example of that happened Monday morning near Henry.

The Henry Fire Department was called out about a Jacuzzi on fire along Sandy Creek Road. They had the fire out in under an hour.

An ambulance was initially dispatched as well until firefighters found out what they were actually dealing with.

Several La Salle County businesses on waiting list for video gaming

If you think there are already enough video gaming machines in the Illinois Valley, a lot more are on the way.

The Illinois Gaming Board is expected to meet Thursday, March 26th. At the meeting they’ll likely approve new video gaming licenses.

Right now there are 44 businesses in Bureau and La Salle County waiting to have video gaming applications approved. Some have been waiting for approval well over a year after applying. The gaming board hasn’t met since November.

In Bureau County, both Beck’s stations in Princeton along with Verucchi’s in Spring Valley are on the list of pending applicants. In La Salle County, Shell stations in Utica, La Salle and Oglesby are all awaiting state approval. Streator Moose and VFW Lodges are also asking for video gaming.