1 dead, 5 wounded in Champaign after shootings

Authorities say 5 people were shot, one of them fatally, in 2 separate overnight shootings within minutes of each other in Champaign.

Police say in a news release that they believe the 2 shootings may be related. They say the first apparently stemmed from an argument at an apartment party shortly after midnight. It escalated into a fight outside in which shots were fired, striking 4 people.

1 of the four, George Korchev of Mundelein, was killed. Police say he wasn’t involved in the fight and happened to be walking by when the shots were fired. The other 3 were taken to a hospital for treatment of what police called non-critical gunshot wounds.

Less than half an hour later, police received a report of another shooting. Officers found a victim, who was taken to a hospital and treated for a non-critical wound.

Police are searching for a suspect or suspects in the shootings and for the driver of a vehicle that struck someone who was running away from the gunfire at the first scene. That person’s injuries were minor.

State hiring for winter road cleaning

Hopefully, this isn’t a sign of the coming winter’s severity! The Illinois Department of Transportation is now hiring temporary help to assist with snow-and-ice removal this winter.

Employees will be hired on a full-time and an on-call basis.  IDOT requires these employees to respond to weather situations, assist in snow-and-ice control and work in emergency conditions any time, including weekends, holidays and nights.  Applicants must have a commercial driver’s license, submit to a criminal background check, physical and drug testing.  Persons will be hired based on their availability, job-related experience and qualifications.  For further information, you can call IDOT in Ottawa.

Council to get Kaskaskia update Monday night

Is your LaSalle street less than 28 feet in width?  The LaSalle City Council will have a public hearing Monday night into whether parking should be limited to 1 side of the street – IF – that street is less than 28 feet wide.  The hearing will be held shortly after the 7pm Call to Order.

The Council also expects to hear from representatives of the Kaskaskia Development, LLC regarding the present hotel’s development and potential action concerning pending litigation.

LPHS Homecoming week fun starts Monday

It’s the half-way point of the football season and schools are planning or have celebrated Homecoming. This week is LaSalle Peru High School’s turn.

A long time staple of Homecoming is the Variety show Monday night at 7 in Sellett Gym.  The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned.  Powderpuff Football kicks off at 6 Wednesday in the LP Sports Complex.  Another event you can annually plan on  is the Homecoming Parade.  It will start at 4pm Thursday at Route 6 and Schuyler,  proceed east through downtown Peru to Bucklin Street in LaSalle, south to First street and east through downtown LaSalle.

LP will host arch-rival Ottawa for football Friday night at 5:15 and 7:15.  The school’s Foundation Cavs 5K Run/ Walk is 8am Saturday and the dance at 8pm Saturday night.

Hygienic Inst. Open House this Wednesday

If you attend the open house this Wednesday at the Hygienic Institute, you’ll see changes in the facility and staff.  Between 4 and 6pm, you are invited in to meet Dr. Yesenia Valdez, a family practice physican who began receiving patients at the Hygienic in August.  New to the Institute’s staff is a family nurse practitioner, Jamie Bond.

Children attending the open house have a chance to win  1 of 2 bicycles by participating in a scavenger hunt.  The Hygienic Institute recently added more exam rooms when the local Department of Veterans Affairs moved out of the building.

Talking ice cream Thursday in Princeton Library

You have ate ice cream, but have you wondered how it’s made?  How different flavors are added?  Bill Sisler of Sisler’s Ice Cream will explain how it is done this Thursday evening at the Princeton Public Library starting at 6:30. Sisler will also have free samples.  The Library is at 698 Peru street.