Traffic congestion an issue at newly expanded Northview School in Peru

If you’ve picked up a child from school lately, you know it can be a traffic free for all.

They’re still trying to work out the kinks picking up students at the renovated Northview Elementary School in Peru. Superintendent Mark Cross says even though street signs allow parking on Plum Street east of the school, you’re asked to not park on Plum before, during and right after school. The line up of parents is causing too much congestion for the neighbors liking.

There should be plenty of parking available in the north and east side lots.

Senator Rezin expecting to vote in support next week of St. Mary’s keeping emergency room

State lawmakers are due back in Springfield a week from now and while they won’t be approving a budget, they could approve something very important to Streator’s future.

State Senator Sue Rezin thinks she and others will vote next Tuesday on a bill allowing OSF to continue operating a “Freestanding Emergency Center”, or ER out of St. Mary’s Hospital. The House approved the idea last month.

If and when the Senate approves the idea, Governor Bruce Rauner would still need to sign it into law. Right now the state doesn’t allow stand alone emergency rooms.

At some point next year, OSF is taking ownership over St. Mary’s and will turn it into an outpatient clinic until they open a new outpatient clinic elsewhere in Streator.

Multi-million dollar Public Works building planned in Peru

In order to make way for a new Dollar General, Peru is moving ahead with building a new Public Works building.

The city council is eyeing a brand new building on city-owned property along Plank Road near the Electric Department. They will use electric fund reserves to pay for the new building that’s estimated to cost around $3 million.

Public Services Chairman Dave Waldorf says they have more equipment than they can fit in the current Public Works building. The new location would eliminate the need to pay rent to store city equipment around the city.

The hope is to pour the foundation of the new Public Works building within the next month and have the new spot ready to move into next summer.

Rural Livingston County couple found dead in their home but foul play not suspected

Details are few and far between about the deaths of a rural Cornell couple.

Sixty-two-year-old Wesley Thorson and 56-year-old Dawn Thorson were found dead in their Livingston County home Saturday. An autopsy was done Sunday and the coroner doesn’t believe foul play was behind their deaths.

The coroner believes it’s an isolated incident. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police are still investigating.