Boil Order will be in Effect for Minonk Wednesday Afternoon

If you live in Minonk you’re going to need to boil your water starting Wednesday afternoon.

The city will be doing repairs to the water reservoir Wednesday. The city says the repairs could create the potential for contamination. As a precaution, they’ve issued a boil order which will begin at 2:00.

The city will issue a statement later when the boil order is lifted.

Police Arrest Ottawa Woman on Charges Stemming from Fatal Crash

An Ottawa woman who was behind the wheel during a crash that led to her passenger’s death is now facing serious charges.

Samantha Orozco was arrested Tuesday by Ottawa police on charges dating back to an accident which took place on March 23. The 30-year old Orozco was riding with 31-year old Shalane Stevens along Champlain Street when they were allegedly hit by 31-year old Sara Halm. According to police, Halm had failed to yield at the intersection leading to the crash.

Stevens would be taken to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center where she later died. Tuesday, Orozco was charged with four counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence.

She was taken to the LaSalle County Jail where her bond was set at $500,000.

Motorcycle crash claims life of Princeton rider

An avid motorcyclist, Norman Lucas’ last ride happened on Interstate 74 near Mahomet.

The 63-year-old from Princeton was pronounced dead at the scene of his crash Sunday afternoon. State troopers say Lucas was riding through a construction zone when he tried passing the car in front of him. He lost control and went off the interstate.

Traffic on I-74 was backed up both directions after the fatal crash.

Young Illinois Valley difference makers to be recognized

You don’t have to be over 40 to contribute to the local economy. The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Illinois Valley Community College is getting ready for their sixth annual “40 Under Forty” and they need your suggestions.

They’re accepting nominations for the Class of 2016 through Thursday. Nominees should be someone who is making a difference in a wide range of professions in the Illinois Valley whether it’s marketing, education, health care or manufacturing.

Click 40 Under Forty for more information.

Coast Guard search in Marseilles appears to have been for a false alarm

The overturned raft in the Illinois River that set off a Coast Guard search turned out to be a large piece of styrofoam. That’s according to Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire.

Wire says at around 11:30 Monday night, a man called 9-1-1 saying he heard someone say “help” two different times and saw what looked to be a raft floating in the river at Marseilles. The object turned out to be styrofoam and Wire says there were no marks showing someone was clinging to the object once crews pulled it out of the water.

The Coast Guard used a helicopter for an 18 mile search of the river and have yet to find a raft or a person in the water. No one has been reported missing either.

Wire says the 9-1-1 caller could’ve heard someone yelling help but it could’ve been shouted from somewhere other than the river and just echoed off the Marseilles Dam.

Peru brings back controversial lobbyist

Do you think a city like Peru needs to pay $24,000 a year for a lobbyist? That question split the Peru City Council Monday night.

The council voted 4 to 4 to rehire Tim McAnarney to be its eyes and ears in Springfield. Mayor Scott Harl broke the tie by saying having a lobbyist “is something that you need to do.”

Alderman Mike Sapienza backed Harl by saying “to not have someone poking around in Springfield is a big mistake.” Alderman Jim Lukosus pointed out that Ottawa pays their lobbyist three thousand dollars a month.

Among those voting against the lobbyist was Alderman Tom Payton who approved the hire a year ago. This time around though Payton said with nothing getting done in Springfield, he’s not sure what the lobbyist can do for Peru.

This will be the fourth year Peru has paid for a Springfield lobbyist.

Over a hundred people turn out for vigil in Princeton

The tragedy two weeks ago in Orlando was the reason for a candlelight vigil Monday night in Princeton.

Over 100 people turned out for the “Walking for Peace to the Pulse of the Nation” candlelight vigil. Walkers were remembering the 49 victims killed at the Pulse Nightclub. Money was collected to give to the Equality Florida’s Pulse Victims Fund.

Organizer Lindsay Vaughn said after the vigil “we are grateful to each of you for taking the time out of your day to come and show you care about your fellow humans.”

State preparing for busy holiday weekend at Starved Rock

If you’re planning to visit Starved Rock State Park this weekend, you should watch Facebook and Twitter feeds of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for updates on crowds and closures.

Starved Rock State Park had around 94,000 visitors over the Memorial Day weekend and there was a temporary closure of parking lots as they filled up. Similar action could be taken this weekend.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will post updates through social media. Conservation police will also be out to enforce park rules against littering and the possession of alcohol on trails.

To find out the latest about crowds and potential closures at Starved Rock, click Starved Rock Updates