Voting Enters Home Stretch for Best Beard

Beards are all the rage at Maze Lumber in Peru for at least another week.

There’s only one more week to vote in Maze’s 5^th annual“Beards for Christmas” fundraiser.   Maze employees have been growing out their beards for charity for a little over a month.

You can vote for the winner of the best beard by donating a dollar per vote. You can cast a vote at Maze Lumber along Peru’s riverfront. Voting ends next Friday.

Proceeds go to the Illinois Valley Marine Corps League’s Christmas for kids. The beard contest has raised over $8,000 in its first four years.

Gas Prices Stay Low Statewide, Even Lower in Illinois Valley

The state’s streak of cheaper than $2 per gallon gas is alive as prices dropped this week.

In the Illinois Valley you’re paying even less at the pump, with prices as low as $1.65 in La Salle and Peru. That’s not the biggest bargain though, that honor goes to Decatur where they’re paying $1.54.

Statewide prices are more than 25% lower than they were at this time last year. The average price for a gallon of gas in Illinois is $1.94.

Ottawa Police Arrest Two Men Suspected of Sex Crimes Involving Children

Two Ottawa men have been arrested on felony charges involving inappropriate conduct around children.

Matthew Dissell was arrested Wednesday after police received a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of West Madison and Pierce Street in Ottawa. Dissell was charged with Travelling to Meet a Minor and Indecent Solicitation of a Child, both felonies. He was released on bond.

Following an investigation into someone allegedly exposing themselves on the 500 block of Deleon Street back in November, Ottawa police arrested Joseph Marto yesterday. He was charged with two felony counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child and his bond was set at $50,000.