Peru Homeless Man Ruled Unfit to Stand Trial, Remains in Custody

A homeless man who used to hang around Pulaski Park in Peru has been found unfit to stand trial.

Richard Klopcic was arrested back in February for felony criminal damage to property after he allegedly threw a brick through the front entrance door of the closed Amici Ristorante on 4th Street. Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei says he wasn’t trying to break into the property, he was just trying to get out of the cold.

Klopcic was found unfit to stand trial Friday for the felony by Judge H. Chris Ryan. He remains in custody for the foreseeable future though, as he isn’t due back in court until July 24.

Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to sexual assault along the canal

A Kentucky man has pled guilty to sexually assaulting a 17-year old along the I & M Canal in Ottawa.

Sixty-three-year-old James Robinson was sentenced Friday by Judge H. Chris Ryan to 17 years in prison for the assault, which took place almost 8 years ago. When he found out he was wanted for the assault, Robinson ran to Kentucky. He had been in prison in that state for separate crimes until last December, when he was brought up to Ottawa on these charges.

Because of the severity of his crime, Robinson will have to serve at least 80% of that time before the state will consider letting him out early.

Sheridan storm damage now blamed on a tornado

Add Sheridan to the list of towns that experienced a tornado Wednesday night.

National Weather Service survey crews say a tornado was on the ground a little less than two miles in Sheridan. The twister was 250 yards wide and had maximum winds of 110 miles per hour. Damage in Sheridan includes a destroyed barn.

Counting Sheridan, nine tornadoes have now been confirmed to have hit Wednesday night. The others were in Pontiac, Troy Grove, Ottawa, West Brooklyn, Seneca, Mazon and Cissna Park. Two small twisters formed north of Ottawa.

Outdoors enthusiasts have their day in Spring Valley

It’s time to celebrate the outdoors in Spring Valley.

The 815 Life Spring Valley Outdoors Expo runs from 10 until 4 Saturday. You and the kids can check out fishing instruction, a boat show, vendor booths, a climbing wall and raffles. Something new this year is a triathlon.

For more details, click SV Outdoors Expo

Kids fly free in Peru

Have a child in your house that loves planes or has an interest in becoming a pilot? Take them out to the Illinois Valley Regional Airport this Saturday.

An event called “Discover Flight” involves kids between the ages of 8 and 17 being able to go on free flights. The flights go from 9 until 2. The hope is by talking to pilots, more youngsters will get interested in aviation.

A parent or guardian needs to sign off on a permission form before the child takes to the air. You can find a permission form by clicking Free Airplane Rides

Gas prices hold steady across the Illinois Valley

While it’s been an up and down week weather wise, gas prices in the Illinois Valley have stayed steady.

Streator has the lowest gas at $2.23 a gallon. But you can fill up in Peru and Ottawa for $2.24 to $2.25 a gallon. Princeton and Mendota stations are offering unleaded for as low as $2.29 a gallon.

The average price statewide is $2.51 a gallon, down about a dime from a week ago.

Downtown La Salle the site of a weekend celebration

It’s time to “Celebrate La Salle”.

The festival kicks into high gear today along 2nd Street in downtown La Salle. Tonight’s schedule includes a 5K, carnival, food vendors and live performances by local favorites “Road Angel” and “Hairbanger’s Ball”. Citywide garage sales also are going on in La Salle.

You can check out the “Celebrate La Salle” schedule by clicking Celebrate La Salle. 815Life.com is sponsoring the festival.