Peru Police Arrest First Suspected Cocaine Dealer Since Expanding Investigation

Just one week after announcing they would expand their investigation into drug dealing to include cocaine, the Peru Police Department has made another arrest.

Shortly before 2:00 Tuesday afternoon, police pulled over Juwaun Hodges of Spring Valley on Route 6 just west of Peru. Hodges was arrested for allegedly selling cocaine to undercover police in March. According to police, Hodges resisted arrest and “received a head injury” while being taken into custody.

He’s currently under police guard at Illinois Valley Community Hospital and is expected to be taken to the LaSalle County Jail later Tuesday afternoon. His bail was set at $1,000,000.

ComEd Setting Aside Another $10 Million to Help Those Behind on Bills

A utility that provides power to Streator, Mendota, and some other cities is setting aside money to help should you be facing disconnection.

For the 5^th year in a row, ComEd is allocating $10 million to people struggling to pay their bills and face certain hardships. Those hardships include things like job loss, illness, and senior or disability-related issues. The company also has programs for veterans and local non-profits that are behind on their bills.

ComEd says it was able to help more than 22,000 customers with similar grants last year. This is the last year of their 5-year commitment, but they are hoping new legislation will extend these and similar programs through 2021.

Mutual aid alarm put out for fire near Mark

Fire departments from across the Illinois Valley showed up to a structure fire outside of Mark Monday night.

The call went out in the 9 o’clock hour about a fire at Pederson Construction in Putnam County. A mutual aid call was immediately put out with Peru and Lostant among the La Salle County fire departments showing up to help.

There were no initial reports of injuries. The state fire marshal’s office was called to investigate the cause of the fire.

You’ll hear more details as they become available.

Bright signs causing a stir in Spring Valley

What does Spring Valley have in common with Las Vegas? The answer is signs that may be over the top in brightness.

According to the NewsTribune, Spring Valley Police Chief Kevin Sangston is still hearing complaints about signs that are too bright along Dakota Street, or Route 6. Spring Valley Mayor Walt Marini is in the camp who thinks the signs are too bright.

Sangston says the problem is the city can’t get an accurate reading on the signs to see if the brightness violates a city ordinance. While it could cost a couple thousand dollars, Sangston says an option is to hire a professional to check on the bright signs.

Ottawa High closed Wednesday for funeral of teacher

If you have a student at Ottawa High School, there are some schedule changes following the death of a popular teacher.

Classes will dismiss early Tuesday at 2:30 and school is canceled completely Wednesday to give students and staff the chance to pay respects to 38-year-old Ryan Nevins. Nevins died Friday after a battle with cancer.

Visitation is Tuesday from 3 until 7 at Crossbridge Community Church of the Nazarene in Ottawa. The funeral service is Wednesday morning at the church.

Before teaching at Ottawa High School, he was a standout football player for the Pirates in the mid-90s.

Major employer in Peru looking to hire

Working in the healthcare field can be a rewarding experience.

Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru is having a Career Fair today from noon until 6. Bring your resume and see about job openings in nursing, physical therapy, and radiology. Department managers will do mini-interviews on the spot.

To save time, you can apply online by clicking IVCH Job Fair

Chilly weather in April not uncommon for the Illinois Valley

If you’ve been upset or surprised about below freezing temperatures this month, it’s not the first time this has happened and probably won’t be the last.

According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, the average last date of freezing temperatures in Ottawa is April 21st. The chance of freezing temperatures drops by about 25 percent after the first week of May.

After Tuesday night’s overnight low of 32, temperatures should stay well above freezing at least through the weekend.