Rural Peru house fire possibly started by lightning?

A shortage of firemen these days forces departments to automatically summon other departments for help. That  was the case Thursday when a vacant 2 story house on Plank Road across from the Armory began to emit smoke.  Peru Fire Chief Jeff King said LaSalle, Oglesby,  Ladd and Spring Valley responded about 4:44pm and extinguished the flames in 30 minutes.

Damage of about $2000 was limited to the front room carpet and wood floor.  King says the cause is undetermined but suspects a lightning strike. Spring Valley personnel manned Peru’s department during the call.

Driver critical after Monday rollover at Mendota

The story of a early morning rollover at Mendota is not over yet.  While a passenger, 20-year old Alonzo Gonzalez died in the 1am crash on Route 251,  the driver, as of Wednesday afternoon,  remained in critical condition at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in Rockford. 33-year old Brian Burress was behind the wheel and was ejected as it rolled. The accident remains under investigation by both the county coroner and Illinois State Police. Both men are from Mendota.

 

 

Peru City Council Approves Money for Four Improvement Projects

The City of Peru is planning to spend some money to make some repairs and upgrades to city services.

According to the NewsTribune, the Peru City Council approved an agreement with Chamlin and Associates engineers for St. John’s subdivision area storm sewer improvements that won’t cost more than $30,000. Alderman Mike Radtke said some streets are deteriorating, and he was happy to see it on the agenda.

They also approved a proposal to spend a little less than $12,000 to replace sidewalk on the corner of Fourth and Peoria Street. Peru Mayor Scott Harl referred to the concrete in that area as a “pretty hazardous situation.”

Other improvements that were approved include: upgrading the city’s phone system for less than $15,000 and improving security for the electric department for around $18,000.

Police break off search for unhappy lodger

A Super 8 customer left the Peru motel Wednesday afternoon in a most unusual way that ended up involving police.  Peru police chief Doug Bernabei told the News Tribune the man allegedly threw a punch at a front desk employee around 4pm.   Apparently, it was then the rowdy customer decided to leave – but not by car – but rather on foot into a nearby cornfield between James Hardie and the “Cabin Fever” bar.

The 90 minute search involved Peru, LaSalle, county officers. Even the Peru fire chief joined a local pilot for an aerial search.  Bernabei believed the man did not have a weapon.

He was described as black, wearing white pants and a white tank top. Chief Bernabei said a possible ID had been developed and investigators would go for an eventual warrant.  First reports indicated the search was for a woman.

Republican Candidate for State Representative to Open Campaign Office in Ottawa

With less than 3 months until the general election, a State Representative hopeful is opening up a new campaign office in the Illinois Valley.

He may be a union truck driver from Streator, but as of tomorrow Jerry Long’s campaign will be able to call Ottawa home. The Republican is planning an open house at his new office tomorrow from 5 until 6 to mark the opening of his Ottawa Campaign Office.

Long is running against current State Representative Andy Skoog, who is also seeking his first full term in office. The Democrat Skoog was appointed to the office after Frank Mautino left to become Illinois’ Auditor General.

Two Men in Custody Following Forged Check Investigation in Several Cities

Two Streator men are in trouble after an investigation into forged checks being passed in LaSalle.

LaSalle Police started the investigation last month after hearing reports of forged checks that were being cashed at bank in LaSalle-Peru, Ottawa, Naperville, and Joliet. They would eventually catch the men believed to be responsible after getting a tip that they were trying to cash an allegedly forged check in Peru last Wednesday afternoon.

As a result of that tip, they would arrest 41-year old Anthony Carson who was charged with one count of forgery and one count of theft. Also taken into custody was 28-year old Nathan Vanorder, who was charged with one count of forgery. A third individual was questioned and released, but may face charges later.

Carson and Vanorder were taken to the LaSalle County Jail. Carson was on probation at the time of his arrest for a weapons charge.