Ottawa’s OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center Uniquely Capable To Treating Strokes

If you or someone you know is worried about the possibility of a stroke, it might help to know an Illinois Valley Hospital is especially qualified to handle them.

OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa has been designated an Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital by the Department of Public Health. This title means those who suffer a stroke can now get high quality, possibly lifesaving treatment without leaving LaSalle which is critical because of the time-sensitive nature of stroke care.

The hospital had to meet a number of outcome and treatment goals to get the title. Going forward, they will be have to continue meeting those goals and also receive random inspections by the state.

Less Than One Week To Register To Vote In March Primary

If you’re a newcomer to LaSalle County or just interested in voting for the first time, you’re running out of time to register to vote.

The deadline for voter registration is next Tuesday if you’re looking to vote in the March Primary Elections. In order to register, you’ll need to provide two forms of ID.

Registration can be done at the Etna Road Government Complex in Ottawa and several other places throughout LaSalle County. If you’d like more information, you can call JoAnn Carretto, LaSalle County Clerk, at 434-8202.

Robber still loose a week after bank heist in Peru

The manhunt continues for a man wanted in the armed robbery of Peru Federal Savings Bank on Shooting Park Road.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says they continue to follow all leads trying to track down a white man that’s accused of making way with an undisclosed amount of cash from the bank last Wednesday afternoon. Bernabei says his department is looking into other robberies in Illinois to see if there are any links to the Peru heist.

The robber is a white man about six feet tall, weighs 150 pounds and is in his mid-20s. At the time of the robbery he was wearing a black beanie hat, brown gloves, and a camouflage hoodie.

Anyone with information is being asked to call Illinois Valley Crimestoppers at 1-800-340-4045.

Homeless man in Peru accused of firing brick through front door of closed business

If you drive by Pulaski Park in Peru, you won’t see a homeless man hanging around there anymore.

Richard Klopcic was arrested Tuesday morning for felony criminal damage to property. He’s accused of throwing a brick thru the front entrance door of the closed Amici Ristorante on 4th Street.

Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei believes the homeless Klopcic wasn’t trying to break into the building, he just intentionally vandalized the property. He was arrested across the street from the restaurant when he went back to Pulaski Park.

Klopcic needs $750 to get out of jail. He’s due back in court on February 26th.

Mautino tries to shed some light on automotive expenses while he was state representative

Auditor General Frank Mautino has sent out new information in response to some questioning expenses while he was a state representative.

A group called the Edgar County Watchdogs filed a freedom of information act. In response, Mautino put out information about the fleet of cars and SUV’s used for campaigning and personal use. The “watchdog group” is questioning how over $200,000 in gas and repairs could be racked up over a decade at Happy’s Super Service in Spring Valley.

Mautino says his primary car is a 2014 Ford Fiesta with 93,000 miles on it. He also had repairs and gas charges for a 2002 Ford Explorer with 200,000 miles and a 2014 Chevy Equinox with 30,000 miles. All those are owned by Mautino.

Expenditures at Happy’s also include a 1997 Ford pickup owned by campaign worker Harry Pelka. Mautino says the Ford Explorer he owns was primarily driven by another campaign worker, William Losey.

The information from Mautino was provided through a P.R. firm. He has not yet publicly responded to questions about meal expenditures.

House damaged by morning fire in Peru

Nobody was hurt during an early morning fire on the south side of Peru.

A 9-1-1 call went out at 4:30 Wednesday morning about a house fire in the 2200 block of Main Street. The fire was under control in under an hour. Oglesby firefighters provided back up at the Peru station while La Salle firefighters were initially called for mutual aid but sent back with the fire under control.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Medical clinic becomes part of Princeton hospital

Long wait times and huge bills at emergency rooms have given a rise in popularity to outpatient clinics known as urgent or fast cares.

Princeton Prompt Care is being integrated into Perry Memorial Hospital. The new clinic name is Perry Memorial Prompt Care.

Dr. Paul Bonucci remains the medical director of Prompt Care. Hours for the clinic are Monday through Friday from 9-6 and Saturday and Sunday from 9 until 2.