Sculpture dedicated outside Peter Miller Community Technology Center

There was plenty of sun shining down on the new sundial sculpture at Illinois Valley Community College.

A dedication ceremony was held at high noon Friday afternoon outside the Peter Miller Community Technology Center. Artist John Adduci of Chicago designed the stainless steel which he says symbolizes old and new technology.

IVCC President Jerry Corcoran says the sculpture will stand the test of time just like IVCC has. Vice President for Business Services and Finance Cheryl Roelfsma says she hopes the sculpture becomes a gathering place for students.

Fatal crash numbers way down in the Illinois Valley

With a third of the year in the books, roads in the Illinois Valley have been a lot safer this year than last.

La Salle County is well below the pace of a deadly 2014 in which 23 people were killed in 19 crashes. So far in 2015 four people have been killed in four separate crashes in La Salle County.

After four fatalities last year, one person so far this year has been killed in a crash in Bureau County. Putnam County had no crash fatalities last year and so far there have been none this year.

Statewide, 240 people have been killed in crashes which is six more than a year ago.

Price to show big boxing match too steep for Illinois Valley establishments

Are you going to watch the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight live on Saturday night? If yes, where are you watching it?

Buffalo Wild Wings won’t have it in Peru. In fact according to their website, only one of their restaurants is showing the fight in Illinois and that’s in Warrenville. Waterstreet Pub in Peru is also taking a pass on having the fight on. One bar owner in the Illinois Valley mentioned the cost to buy the fight being over four thousand dollars.

If you want to watch it in the comforts of your own home, Comcast and DirectTV are charging $90.

Barn, bathroom and corn crib all burn Thursday in the Illinois Valley

No human lives were lost but some animals did die in the latest round of fires in the Illinois Valley.

Goats were killed in a barn fire Thursday morning west of Route 71 near Wedron. Serena, Sheridan, Wallace and Marseilles firefighters all fought the barn fire for over an hour.

Serena and Sheridan firefighters were called back in action Thursday afternoon for a bathroom fire in a home outside Serena. The homeowner had dealt with the flames by time firefighters arrived.

Also in Bureau County Thursday afternoon, a corn crib was destroyed by fire on Route 34 east of LaMoille.

Longtime IVCH employees recognized for their service

45 years at one job is a great run. Two employees of Illinois Valley Community Hospital reached that milestone and were honored for their longevity.

During Thursday night’s annual IVCH Service Awards Banquet, Health Information Management Clerk Carol Burke of Standard and Registered Nurse Kathy Kohr of Oglesby received 45-year awards. Nurse Barb Bianchi and Nurse Manager Rose Carrico both of Peru were recognized for 40 years at IVCH.

Dr. Peter Meier with Illinois Valley Orthopedics also hit a milestone with providing care at IVCH for 30 years.