Survey out about Princeton Elementary building needs

What is the future of our elementary schools? That’s the question being asked in Princeton.

School officials are hosting a community outreach meeting Tuesday, March 22nd at Logan Jr. High School. There will be tours of the school starting 5 and then a discussion at 6.

The district has put together a short survey hoping to get feedback of facility and other suggestions. You can find the survey by clicking Princeton Elementary Survey

Peru picks Indiana company for fireworks display

If you’ve seen fireworks at Navy Pier in Chicago and came away impressed than you’re sure to be a fan of Peru’s display.

The Peru Recreation Board is paying Melrose Pyrotechnics $20,000 to put on a fireworks display west of the Peru Mall on July 3rd. Melrose is out Indiana and was picked out of three bidders who only differed in price by seven dollars.

The company has done Peru’s fireworks in the past and is known for their display at Navy Pier. They’ve been around since for over 50 years.

The $20,000 for the display is the maximum the city budgets for fireworks. Since they didn’t have a display last year, money that would’ve been spent on fireworks is going to new playground equipment.

State Senator Says Chicago Public School Problems Could Impact Illinois Valley Schools

You’ve probably heard about the financial troubles of Chicago Public Schools. But you probably haven’t heard about those problems possibly hurting schools in the Illinois Valley.

Republican Sue Rezin says Chicago is “leading the discussion” about state money for schools. The State Senator says her party is trying to work on funding for all schools, but other lawmakers insist on fixing CPS before funding schools outside of the city.

Rezin is a co-sponsor of a bill she says will provide schools with the full funding that is owed to them according to a state formula. She says if that bill passes, it would give most schools more state money than they have received in the past 7 years.

Dimmick board approves consolidation ballot question

If enough voters say yes, the Cherry and Dimmick school districts will formally be merged starting next year.

The Dimmick School Board approved a petition allowing them to combine with Cherry. School board members believe the move would be good for both schools, and one that could result in lower taxes in both districts. They also said any staff changes that would come from the move have already been made.

Class sizes at Dimmick are already smaller than the average statewide, so the school board says increased class sizes in the future are “not an issue they’ll have to contend with.”

Two crashes within minutes of each other in Peru

Two ambulances were called out to a late morning crash on the west side of Peru.

A truck and another vehicle collided near Steinberg’s Furniture just before 11:30 Tuesday morning. Peru Police were able to get the stretch of road back open to traffic within about 10 minutes.

While they were responding to the Route 6 crash, Peru Police were called about a minor fender bender with no injuries on Progress Boulevard.

Flu outbreak has OSF limiting visitors at Ottawa hospital

What a difference 24 hours can make!

After saying Monday that their flu numbers have been low, Brianne Riley with OSF Healthcare in Ottawa and Streator says they had a jump in flu cases overnight. Because of the flu outbreak, visitors to all OSF clinics in Ottawa, Streator and Marseilles are now being restricted.

You now have to be at least 18 to visit OSF clinics and wear a mask if you have a cough. Make sure to wash your hands when going into and leaving rooms. The most obvious reason to stay away is if you’re sick.

In Peru Gene Vogelgesang says they haven’t noticed any unusual flu activity at Illinois Valley Community Hospital. So they have no plans to restrict visitors.

Alcohol distillery planned for Mendota

With the new brewery in Ottawa being all the rage, a new distillery is in the works for Mendota.

According to the NewsTribune, former police officer Ken Haun and his son Pete are trying to get the needed permits to open a whiskey, rum and vodka distillery this summer near the Amtrak station.  The business would be called Kindred Spirits and include a tasting room.

The planning commission in Mendota will talk about their need for a zoning change or variance later this month.

Spring Valley alderman facing a battery charge

A Spring Valley alderman was arrested after an apparent bar dust up.

According to the NewsTribune, 56-year-old Chuck Hansen was arrested for battery Sunday night. He’s accused of kicking a man from Peru after a verbal spat that started in a Spring Valley tavern.

Hansen was released with a court date.

High school and college students pledge to end the “R word”

Do you ever catch yourself using the “R word”? Students with L-P High School and Illinois Valley Community College are joining a nationwide movement to end the use of retarded.

The students on March 23rd and 24th will meet in the IVCC student center to ask students and faculty to sign a pledge banner to stop using the “R word”. Its part of a movement called the Respect Campaign.

The Respect Campaign was started by the Special Olympics.

Big donation towards building all-inclusive playground in Ottawa

With spring right around the corner, kids will be outside looking for places to play. Thanks to an Illinois Valley healthcare provider and a volunteer organization, Ottawa kids may not have to look as hard.

The Ottawa Kiwanis is hoping to raise $250,000 for their Project Inclusive Playground. They’re much closer to that goal after OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Illinois made a $25,000 donation.

The first phase of the playground where any child regardless of their disability can play is expected to be done by June. The playground is going in at Lincoln-Douglas Park.

Last year, the playground project won a $25,000 national grant. More than $110,000 has now been raised for the playground.