Jackknifed Semi Snarls Traffic on Interstate 80 East

Police and emergency crews are worked Friday morning at the scene of an accident that jammed traffic on Interstate 80 Eastbound between the Peru and LaSalle exits.

Initial calls came in about a jackknifed two-trailer semi shortly before 9:30. The semi was reportedly blocking the left lane and as a result traffic was at a standstill behind the scene.

Dispatchers did report that no extrication would be needed as the driver had already gotten out of the truck. Crews had the accident cleaned up and traffic moving again around 12:30.

Video Gaming Activity Stays Strong in July

Video gaming machines might have been busy in July, but that doesn’t quite mean they were lucky.

 

Ottawa had more than $1.6 million played last month, and players in the city lost about $400,000. Streator machines paid out $378,000 less than they took in on more than $1.4 million in play.

 

Gamers in Peru had a little better luck than Streator, but they still lost about $330,000. La Salle losses were the least of cities that had more than a million-dollars played, at nearly $265,000.

 

In Bureau County the luck was headed the same way. While only $830,000 went into machines in Princeton, players there ended up losing a little more than $200,000

Gas Prices Hold Steady in Illinois Valley

Gas prices are up slightly but still pretty close to where they were a week ago.

According to GasBuddy.com, Peru has the cheapest spot for gas at $1.95 a gallon.  Utica, La Salle, and Oglesby stations are also offering gas for under two dollars a gallon. Gas in Streator and Ottawa is a bit more expensive, with prices between $2.14 and $2.16.

The statewide average for unleaded is $2.22, that’s down 41 cents from last year.

Flash Flood Watch Issued for LaSalle County Starting at 10:00

Some rain is expected throughout the day today, and it could be getting heavy at times.

The National Weather Service out of Chicago has issued a Flash Flood Watch for LaSalle County that will go into effect at 10:00 Friday morning. According to the watch, thunderstorms will be developing later this morning that have the potential to produce “torrential” rainfall, which means more than two inches of rain per hour could be possible.

The Watch is in effect through this evening as the heavy rain could last into tonight. The rain is expected to let up tomorrow morning.

Homeless Man Indicted After Allegedly Stealing Vehicle from Peru Dealership

A 72-year-old homeless man who was caught stealing a vehicle from a Peru dealership has been indicted.

A grand jury has indicted Roy Cope on one count of burglary and one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Cope was arrested back on July 26^th, and was also said to have had a knife on him when he was confronted by police.

Cope remains in the LaSalle County Jail on $100,000 bond.

At the time of his arrest, Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei said Cope has no ties to the Illinois Valley.  He ended up in the Illinois Valley after getting a bus ride from Iowa where he just got out of prison for burglary.

State grants old OSLAD request to Peru

The news surrounding a future Peru splash pad keeps getting better and better.  State Senator Sue Rezin said Thursday that an OSLAD grant the city applied for several years ago has been freed up and is coming its way in hopefully, 60 days.

Rezin says the original application will have to be amended to reflect a change of location – likely now to be the old Peru Washington school site.  Toronto Blue Jays star pitcher J. A. Happ and his wife made news about 2 months ago when they promised $100,000 for a splash pad.

Rezin calls it a “win – win” for everyone including special needs children.