Accident on La Salle Lake leaves one dead

One person has died after a boat sank on La Salle Lake earlier this afternoon.

Conservation Police, the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office and the Seneca fire department responded to the scene around 1:30 today about a boat that had capsized in the lake, which is located south of Seneca. The boat allegedly sank due to rough water.

One person was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people on board when the boat sank were pulled to safety.

Police aren’t releasing names at this time pending notification of family.

The incident is under investigation by the Conversation Police and the La Salle County Coroner’s Office.

Welding class at Streator High picked for $10,000 grant

It doesn’t look like Streator High School’s welding program will suffer the same fate as the building trades class did at Ottawa High School.

The welding program has won a $10,000 grant through the Midwest Technical Institute in East Peoria. The grant money can be used to buy equipment or classroom materials and to renovate the welding shop.

Streator welding students put together a four-minute video for the grant competition with the winner being selected by the most votes on Facebook.

Peru hoping to entice business owners to spruce up their buildings

The look of a city’s downtown can be a deal breaker for visitors. The Peru City Council is looking to offer cash as an incentive for its downtown business owners to fix up their buildings.

The city is again offering $25,000 through a façade improvement program. Business owners can agree to a 50/50 split of up to $2,500 for façade improvements. This year’s façade grant program is being extended to include businesses on Peoria Street as well.

Call the city if you’re interested in taking advantage of the façade program.

IVCH hosting memorial service for recently lost loved ones

Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru is looking to join you in remembering lost loved ones.

The hospital is hosting an interfaith service Thursday night at 7 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Peru. The candlelight service will remember patients of IVCH and Illinois Valley Hospice who have died recently.

You’re encouraged to bring pictures or other things to be part of a memorial table.

Food pantry in Spring Valley honors Lily Rosploch

Little Lily Rosploch is gone but she’s definitely not forgotten.

In the 5-year-old’s memory, the Hall Township Food Pantry has added “Lily’s Corner” where pantry guests can pick out donations specifically for babies. When she was receiving treatments, Rosploch was known to check out the hospital nursery.

For the rest of the month, Holy Trinity Church in Cherry, St. Patrick’s Church in Arlington and St. Thomas More Church in Dalzell have collection boxes for baby supplies. The pantry needs your help in stocking “Lily’s Corner”.

You can also drop off diapers and other donations at the food pantry office on North Terry Street in Spring Valley.

Alleged marijuana growing operation uncovered in Princeton

A Princeton man is in trouble for allegedly running a marijuana growing operation out of his home.

Drug officers with Tri-Dent last week searched the home of Howard Marshall of Princeton and say they found 34 pot plants and a loaded gun. He was arrested for the felonies unlawful possession of cannabis plants and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

He posted $5,000 bond and was released.