Peru looking at new pizza joints opening in 2016

The Illinois Valley loves its pizza. Soon Peru will have two more pizza choices.

Director of Economic Development in Peru Bob Vickrey says Little Caesars and Rosati’s both have turned in building plans to the city. Caesars wants to move into the same building as Dunkin’ Donuts on Shooting Park Road while Rosati’s will fill the space that used to be Blockbuster Video on Route 251. While things can change, Vickrey says “the city of Peru expects to be on hand for ribbon-cuttings in the spring”.

The only other Little Caesars in the Illinois Valley is in Ottawa while Mendota has a Rosati’s Pizza.

Taxpayers in the L-P school district asked to fork out nearly nine million dollars in property taxes

You’ll be paying a few dollars more to support L-P High School next year.

L-P’s property tax rate is set to go up by over four percent. So if you have a $100,000 home, the part of your property tax bill that goes to L-P will be about $19 more next year. Despite the tax increase, L-P’s tax rate is still below other high schools in Ottawa, Streator and Mendota.

The district is looking for $8.7 million in property taxes next year, about $300,000 more than this past year.

Medical helicopter crews in Peru get new and improved workplace

Not all airport hangars are built just to house corporate jets. Some are used to house life-saving helicopters.

The official dedication and blessing of the new OSF Life Flight hangar was held Wednesday afternoon at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru. The 7,000 square foot building can store two helicopters at a time and comes with a kitchen and office space for the crews who work 24 hour shifts.

Kathy Divine is the Vice President of OSF Aviation. She says a lot of patients that are flown to Peoria are initially picked up along Interstate 80. The Peru crew handles about 70 transfers a month.

While Life Flight has been in business over 30 years, they didn’t start having crews part-time in Peru until about five years ago. Helicopter crews started working full-time in Peru two years ago but had to share hangar space and work out of a trailer.

The new hangar cost OSF around a million dollars.

New state representative for the Illinois Valley officially takes over

Democrat Andy Skoog says he’s ready to go to work in Springfield for the Illinois Valley.

The businessman and former La Salle County circuit clerk was sworn in Wednesday morning as the new 76th District State Representative. Skoog says he plans to work in a bipartisan way to try and end the budget gridlock. He’s ready to crunch the numbers and go over the budget line by line.

Skoog says being accessible to voters in the 76th district will be the daily goal of his office. He told the overflow crowd “The Illinois Valley is my home and it is the people of the 76th district who I answer to and will fight for”.

Skoog plans on keeping his Illinois Valley office inside Frank Mautino’s office location in Spring Valley.

More charges could come for Ottawa pair already accused of armed robbery

If you’ve been following the story about an armed robbery over the weekend in Ottawa, Ottawa P.D. Captain Dave Gualandri says the victim wasn’t a random target.

Gualandri says Gabriel Williams and Malcolm Prince knew their victim when they allegedly stole property thanks to threatening the victim with a gun. That gun according to Gualandri was later found with Williams. Despite the use of a gun, the victim wasn’t hurt during the alleged robbery.

Williams and Prince both live Ottawa and are due in court Thursday for armed robbery charges. More charges are possible as the investigation continues.

Deadline day arrives to get holiday meal from La Salle pantry

Wanting a Christmas meal courtesy of the Illinois Valley Food Pantry? If yes, remember that Wednesday is the last day to register with the pantry.

The pantry in downtown La Salle expects to package food for around 1,800 individuals, or 550 families. Christmas meals will be handed out this Saturday from 10 until 3.

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry will be closed from Christmas Eve through January 4th.

Piece of big city living coming to Ottawa

Sometimes as a small city grows and develops, decision makers have to address things that are commonplace in bigger towns.

The Ottawa City Council has passed an ordinance outlining how businesses can get permission to offer valet parking. Ottawa Mayor Bob Eschbach says it was a “wonderful opportunity to make something like this available.” He says this is the first time valet parking has come up and the city just didn’t have any provisions about it.

The first applicant is expected to be the new downtown brew pub on La Salle Street.

Henry police warn of illegal peddlers

If someone comes to your door offering a service, make sure to ask for their permit.

The Henry Police Department has put out a warning about a man and woman driving around town in a black truck offering tree trimming services. They’re not registered solicitors with the city so don’t pay them anything.

The police department also wants you to let any elderly friends or family members know about the potential scammers.

Santa making last minute stop in Utica before the big day

If there’s a parade in the Illinois Valley chances are it’s in Utica.

The latest parade in the village happens this Saturday evening. Santa Claus will ride through town on a fire truck and set up shop at village hall to get last minute Christmas wishes from kids.

The parade starts at 6 on Burgess Drive with Santa arriving at village hall around 7.