Online petition to turn painting of famous Streator astronomer into a postage stamp

Is being the only American to discover a planet make Clyde Tombaugh worthy of having his own stamp? An artist in La Salle thinks so.

As part of the “Year of Pluto” celebration, John Kettman made a painting of Tombaugh. He’s now started a petition asking Governor Bruce Rauner, the U.S. post master general and Stamp Advisory Committee to put his painting on a stamp.

As of this morning, over 250 people have signed the online petition. You can check out the petition and what the proposed stamp looks like by clicking Tombaugh Petition

Facts in Peru beating case are still being investigated

If you’ve been following the story of a man attacked on the north end of Peru, the victim’s story may not be entirely true.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says the 43-year-old man who says he was attacked last Monday by several men was released from St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria on Friday. Once he was out of the hospital, officers took the chance to interview him about what allegedly happened at an apartment on May Road.

Bernabei says no arrests have been made and they are trying to verify some possible inconsistencies in the victim’s story.

Auction planned to sell off parts of closed Peru school

How much would you be willing to bid on things like auditorium seats or classroom smart boards? Before Washington School gets torn down in Peru, you can bid on stuff still inside the building.

A date for a public auction will likely be set Wednesday night when the elementary board in Peru meets. You may be able to find yourself a steal with furniture or even basketball hoops up for bid.

The next steps for Washington School after the auction is asbestos removal and then demolition. If the board approves bids for that work Wednesday night, the school could be leveled by mid-May.

No major injuries after several cars crash in construction zone

A stretch of Interstate 80 near Ottawa turned into a mess after a pile up.

Just after noon Sunday, nine different drivers didn’t slow down for construction, causing chain reaction crashes in westbound lanes. Amazingly no one was killed but four people still went to St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa with minor injuries.

None of the driver’s names have been released yet by the state police.

Truck fire extinguished quickly near Earlville

Although firemen responded, it was the chief extinguishing the last flames in a truck engine Saturday on the east side of Earlville.

Larry Todd is Earlville’s fire chief. He says two Yorkville men were in a panel truck on Route 34 early Saturday afternoon when the truck lost power. Smoke emerged from the engine and the men pulled onto the shoulder just south of “The Manor”. Chief Todd says the 2 began pouring water onto the flames with Todd arriving to assist.

Todd says the fire melted wires and the shift cable, so the truck was towed. The truck is fixable.

Sheriff will release accident details Monday

Bureau County Sheriff’s office told “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” news they’ll release details Monday on a crash at the Mendota Golf Club. An on duty deputy said there were no fatalities in the Saturday accident.

The initial 9-1-1 call came in just before 9am regarding a 2 car crash on Route 34, on Mendota’s west side.   The collision caused 1 of the vehicles to end up on golf course property.  Mendota and Troy Grove emergency crews responded with 3 ambulances.   St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota examined at least 1 of the injured.

Two vehicle crash east of LaSalle Sunday

District 17 State Police have cleared away an accident occuring on I-80 a mile east of the LaSalle exit around 8:40am Sunday.  A collision involving at least 2 vehicles happened at Mile marker 78, sending at least 1 of the vehicles into the median. The State Police dispatcher said there were no fatalities. State Police will be releasing information on the accident at a later time.

Ottawa man’s exploits include past robbery

   A man who engaged Ottawa police in a chase Friday is the same person who attacked a Peru man 3 years earlier. 20-year old Jeffrey Hankerson of Ottawa was charged with felony robbery in 2012 when he and a 16 year old Peru boy attacked and robbed a Peru man.

    In his latest escapade, Hankerson drove East Norris Drive Friday night at speeds close to 80 mph. He entered the heart of downtown and flipped his car on its top at the corner of Columbus and Madison. Hankerson faces charges of retail theft, attempting to elude police, reckless driving and no valid license.

Heavy rain expected Sunday

    Is the ground cracking open on your property? A cure may be on the way Sunday. The National Weather Service says an inch of rain may fall in showers and thunderstorms Sunday morning with more heavy rainfall Sunday night. Sunday night rainfall may be accompanied by gusty winds. No other severe weather is expected. Additional rain could occur Monday and again on Thursday.