First Group of Mosquitoes Test Positive for West Nile Virus in Peru

A little more than a month after the first birds started testing positive for West Nile virus, mosquitoes are now testing positive too.

Mosquitoes in Peru tested positive for the virus on Friday. The house mosquito is the main way the disease can be transmitted, and this is the first positive mosquito test this year.

West Nile virus, if caught by humans, can lead to nausea, a fever, headache and muscle aches. Severe complications have been reported in rare instances.  The county health department has diagnosed one case in the county in 2016.

People older than 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of severe illness from West Nile virus.

Thousands Turn Up for Weekend Wine Festival at Matthiessen State Park

Illinois’ largest wine festival certainly lived up to its name in terms of population over the weekend.

Nearly 15,000 people attended the Vintage Illinois Wine Festival at Matthiessen State Park, according to the Starved Rock Visitors’ Center. Nearly 30 wineries were also present, and showed their goods off to visitors.

While the festival had “as many people as you could count” over the weekend, Saturday was the more heavily visited day. More than 9,000 people checked out the first day while 5,500 reportedly went on Sunday.

Gambling Losses Top $1.5 Million Across Valley’s Biggest Gaming Cities

A little more than $1.5 million was lost in the five cities with the most video gaming activity in the Illinois Valley last month.

The city with the most gaming activity in August, Ottawa, also saw the biggest losses. A little over $400,000 was lost in the city. Streator wasn’t far behind with more than $360,000 in losses.

Despite having $200,000 less played than Streator, Peru gamblers still lost around $350,000 in August. LaSalle players lost just short of $240,000 while Princeton gamers cashed in around $200,000 less than they put in.

Of the more than $1.5 million lost in machines in those 5 cites, a little more than $75,000 will get back to the municipalities. The state’s share of that money is a little under $400,000.

Suburban man hurt after fall at Matthiessen State Park

An Aurora man found out the painful way you should always stay on the marked trails.

Paramedics were called to Matthiessen State Park Thursday after 29-year-old Brian Savage fell about 10 feet, breaking both of his ankles near Cedar Canyon. He crawled about 150 yards through a creek and up some steps before a he was seen by a conservation officer.

Savage was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru. He was given just a written warning to stay on the trails.

Peru City Council to vote on new alderman

The Peru City Council will be back to full strength after Monday’s meeting.

The council will vote on Mayor Scott Harl’s recommendation of Jeff Ballard to serve as a 1st Ward alderman. Ballard had a previous unsuccessful bid for a council seat.

He will be replacing Beck Mueller who resigned last month. Ballard will serve until the April election at which time he can decide to be on the ballot for a full term.

Marseilles Police looking into potential attempted luring of a child

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to have a safety conversation with your children.

A few days after a child in Seneca was allegedly approached by a stranger offering a ride, it happened in Marseilles late last week. Marseilles Police say a child claims they were approached by a white man in a Jeep Cherokee asking if the child wanted a free newspaper. When the child said no, the stranger got out of his Jeep and for a short while started walking behind the child before driving away.

Someone else in Marseilles claimed to have seen the same Jeep Friday night. The driver is described as being about 5’8”, wearing black glasses with a “chubby” build. The Jeep was a 90s model with possible lifted suspension and stickers in the rear window.

If you have any information, call the Marseilles Police Department.

Find a new career tomorrow in Peru

Are you considering a new career and don’t know where to start? Try the Illinois Valley Career Fair.

The fair is happening Tuesday inside the Peru Mall. Manufacturing, sales, medical services, and retail will all be there waiting to talk to you. You can also get help writing a resume and how to improve your interview skills.

Start your search for a new career on Tuesday from 10 until 3.

A few good firefighters needed in La Salle

Have you ever dreamed about becoming a firefighter?

The La Salle Fire Department is taking applications for paid per call firefighters. You have to be at least 18 years old but you don’t have to live in La Salle to be considered. You’ll become a regular member of the La Salle Fire Department after a 1-year probationary period.

For an application, click http://www.lasalle-il.gov/content/fire-department-1182010112736pm.aspx

Monday night could bring stormy weather to the Illinois Valley

Warm weather has returned and with it the chance of strong to severe thunderstorms.

Widely scattered thunderstorms are expected to move into northern Illinois Monday evening. The weather service says the greatest threat of severe weather is northwest of a line from Peru to Waukegan.

The Illinois Valley has a “marginal” to “slight” risk of severe weather Monday according to the National Weather Service.

Weather blamed for lower state fair attendance

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Did you check out this year’s Illinois State Fair? Attendance fell by around 13 percent compared to attendance numbers last year.

Fair officials are blaming flooding, the heat and a power outage for the decline in attendance. Total attendance at the fair was over 357,000. It was more than 411,000 last year.

This year’s fair did bring in more than $2 million in concert ticket sales. Megan Trainor drew the best with more than 11,000 tickets sold. A concert by KISS sold almost 7,500 tickets.