Despite Being Shortest Month, State Police Gave More Tickets in February

Maybe it was the nicer weather that led highway drivers to get into more trouble in February.

In total, nearly 300 drivers were busted for speeding and seatbelt violations last month, 34 more than were pulled over in January in the District that includes the Illinois Valley. State police got 18 drivers for alcohol-related things, including DUI, in February. That was 4 more than the month prior. The total number of tickets state troopers gave also increased by almost 40, to 420.

In LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties, Illinois State Police handled 66 crashes last month which was the same amount they had in January. District 17 Troopers say, though, that none of those crashes resulted in any deaths.

Movie Filmed in Illinois Valley Set to Premiere Friday in Ottawa

When you think of places where movies are made, you probably think of Hollywood, not the Illinois Valley. But one movie maker is putting out his second film that may have been shot in your backyard.

This Friday, Grace’s Room will premiere. It’s a movie that director Tyler Amm says is mostly comedy with some bits of horror thrown in. Amm says he loves making movies in the Illinois Valley in part because everyone is supportive:

“I can call up the mayor and say, ‘Hey, I need to close down the streets,'” Amm says, “They’ll say, ‘Alright, just talk to the police chief,’ and it’s never a problem.”

Grace’s Room will be playing at The Roxy in Ottawa from March 11^th through the 17^th. Amm says he’s planned some special things for people who come this weekend, including showing a double-feature Sunday with his first Illinois Valley movie, River City Panic.

Young boy hurt in crash on far west edge of Peru

All it takes to crash is to become distracted for a second.

Jeffery McKinney of Peru says he took his eyes off the road late Tuesday morning on the west end of Peru. McKinney’s pickup crossed into the other lane of traffic on Route 6 and hit a car driven by Marisela Spence of La Salle.

Spence and a five-year-old boy riding with her from La Salle were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital. McKinney wasn’t hurt but was ticketed for improper lane usage.

Illinois River on the rise yet again

It doesn’t take much rain anymore to cause flood concerns on the Illinois River.

A Flood Watch has been issued for this weekend covering the stretch of the Illinois River between Peru and Ottawa. As of Wednesday morning in La Salle-Peru, the river is still about six feet below flood stage. However with rain in the forecast its expected rise nearly three feet above flood stage on Saturday. At that height, the boat ramp and visitor’s center parking lot at Starved Rock could flood.

In Ottawa, the Illinois Wednesday morning is about three feet below flood stage. It’s expected to rise about a foot above flood stage Saturday.

Scammers target Peru electric customers

There’s another phone scam going around.

The latest is targeting businesses in Peru saying your power is getting shut off. The scammer will claim to be an account manager with the city of Peru.

The city won’t call to say your power is being shut off. They also won’t call asking for account information.

Tool shed fire breaks out south of Peru

Fire departments from across the Illinois Valley responded to a shed fire late Tuesday afternoon.

The fire was on the bottom road south of the Illinois River between Peru and Spring Valley. You’ll hear more details about the fire as they become available.