Vacant factory in Spring Valley has a new buyer

The Honeywell-Hobbs building along Route 6 in Spring Valley has a new tenant.

According to the NewsTribune, Regenex Corp. is moving from Spring Valley’s industrial park into the Honeywell building. Regenex is a plastic fabrication company that is looking for more space. Since the Honeywell building will give them extra space, they’ll be looking for tenants to fill other parts of the property.

Operations at Honeywell headed to Mexico in 2010. Spring Valley Economic Development Director Deb Ladgenski says the move opens the door for a new business to move into the industrial park.

IRS phone scam spreading in Bureau County

Have you gotten a scam phone call claiming to be from the IRS?

Bureau County Sheriff James Reed says his office is taking several complaints about an IRS scam. The pre-recorded call tries to con victims into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer to pay off a bogus tax bill.

Remember that the IRS will not call you to demand an immediate payment. They also don’t call if you owe taxes without first sending a bill in the mail.

Sheriff Reed says the scammers started out by targeting the elderly and anyone with English as a second language but now they’re going after just about everyone.

Garage and vehicle inside it burn in Mendota

A garage on the east side of Mendota was torched in a fire.

Mendota and Troy Grove firefighters rushed to the scene of Gilman Avenue just after 4 Monday afternoon. The garage and the vehicle inside of it were burning when firefighters arrived. The vehicle was completely destroyed while the garage took on major damage.

Three people at the scene were looked at by paramedics for smoke inhalation. The cause of the garage fire is under investigation.

Putting the razors away means thousands of dollars raised for charity at one Peru business

The bearded men of Maze Lumber in Peru have come through once again.

Over $3,100 was raised during the 5th annual Beards for Christmas at Maze. Employees started growing out their beards November 2nd and you voted for your favorite beard. Every vote cost a dollar which will go to the Illinois Valley Marine Corps League’s Christmas for Kids.

The beard contest has raised over $11,000 in its first five years.

Brides to be expected to flock to IVCC

If you are a soon to be bride or know someone is, make plans to be at Illinois Valley Community College on Sunday, January 31st.

Doors open at 11 for the 36th Annual Illinois Valley Bridal Show inside the Peter Miller Community Technology Center. Over 50 wedding-related businesses will there. Soon to be brides will have a chance win thousands of dollars of prizes including a wedding gown.

A style show starts at 2:15. There’s no cost to attend the bridal show.

For more information just click Illinois Valley Bridal Show

Hundreds expected to plunge into the Illinois River for charity

If you’re going to jump into the river this time of the year, may as well do it for a worthy cause.

The fifth annual “Penguin Plunge” is Saturday, January 9th at Heritage Harbor Marina in Ottawa. Each “plunger” is asked to raise at least a hundred dollars to take the plunge into the Illinois River. All proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The goal is to raise around 100 thousand dollars. Over $96,000 was raised at last year’s plunge.

You can take the plunge as a team as well. Teams should have at least five members.

To register for the plunge, click Penguin Plunge

Two hurt after fender bender in Peru

A crash on the north end of Peru had both drivers complaining of neck pain.

Karl Eccles of La Salle says he was stopped Sunday night at a red light at the Route 251 and Interstate 80 interchange when he was rear-ended by Gina Nuske, also of La Salle. Nuske was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Both Nuske and Eccles were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.