The skate park at the Illinois Valley YMCA is closed. It might stay closed unless local cities can chip in with the upkeep.

The Peru City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday governing e-bikes and other low-speed devices – and the police issued a warning that riders had better obey the new rules.

Parkside Middle School in Peru has announced its high honor roll students for the second trimester of the 2025-2026 school year.

Baker Lake could be re-opened in mid to late April, though Mother Nature could have some say in when the barricades comes down.

Blackouts are not a problem in Peru, but city officials still think they can reduce outages and improve overall efficiency. They’re getting state help to do it.

Peru City Council applauded Monday a nurse with OSF St. Elizabeth’s who was credited with saving a man’s life on Valentine’s Day.

Ready for spring to arrive? So is the city of Peru. A little sunshine and some warm temperatures will help workers finish the walking path at Baker Lake.

You’ll still have to check your speeds – Peru police will be watching – but the speed limit on Plank Road will be raised to 45 mph within city limits.

Peru’s fire chief said it from day 1: Fast-thinking by a city electrical employee and two officers kept a Feb. 9 residential fire from turning tragic. Monday, the responding trio their due.

Peru is shutting down its ice-skating rink Tuesday for the season.

Would a sports complex work for Peru? It did for Kokomo, Indiana. One of the hoteliers serving Kokomo visitors is interested in Peru’s project.

The Peru City Council sent a message to city firefighters: We mean to make you fully staffed.

Rugby. Ultimate frisbee. Flag football. Lacrosse. Peru’s vision is to offer a vast sports complex that would draw competitors from four hours away. But it won’t happen in 2026.

Peru will get a hotel designed for extended stays.

He dreamed of a career in sports training and found his way to EMS, police dispatching and then patrol. Now, Peru Police Sgt. Ed DeGroot is calling it a career.

It’s official: Brad Anderson is now a sergeant with the Peru Police Department.

Peru firefighters soon will answer fire and rescue calls in Dalzell, as well.

Two officers were sworn in Monday to the Peru Police Department – another will join the ranks soon – while a longtime officer was made patrol sergeant.

The Peru Township Republican Central Committee announces its official formation, marking a renewed commitment to grassroots organization, voter engagement, and the long-term strength of the Republican Party in Peru Township.

Greg Vaccaro, Peru Township supervisor, announced Wednesday the newly-created township website www.perutownshipil.com

The owner of the former Maria’s Pizza was ticketed for open burning Thursday after igniting 2x4s to fend off the cold.

The Peru City Council will hold its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, with residents invited to watch live on the City of Peru’s YouTube channel.

The $7 million pool would have featured diving boards, a water slide, 25-meter competition lanes and a capacity of 434 swimmers.

Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski said he wanted to vote on phase two of the project, hiring Kmetz Architects to complete approximately $500,000 architectural drawings during Monday’s council meeting to move plans for the pool forward.

Peru residents will enjoy a new walking path at Baker Lake this fall. When the time comes to put on ice skates, families will enjoy concessions at the skating rink, too.

A group of nine local veterans took to the skies Tuesday morning at Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru as part of Dream Flights, a national program that gives older veterans the chance to experience a ride in a World War Two-era plane.

There’s really nothing to report at this time,” Mayor Ken Kolowski said. “But, things are in motion.”

Peru City Council approved a bid Monday to construct a dog park on Water Street.

FedEx confirmed it will close its facility on Progress Boulevard in Peru this September as part of a broader restructuring strategy.

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry has partnered with the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation to create a new fund that will support the pantry’s transition to a larger facility in Peru.

The council approved a text amendment to the zoning ordinance and conditionally granted a special use to the pantry for property located at 4133 Progress Blvd.

Peru’s proposed TIF district is now final.

The Peru Police Department is one step closer to beginning the search for a part-time social worker, thanks in part to a grant from the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The committee believes the city could fund it with a 20-year bond. However, during Monday’s committee of the whole, some aldermen weren’t convinced.

Will Peru residents get a refund for refuse not collected? The city is looking into it.

Peru’s proposed TIF district isn’t final yet – it’s getting close – but Mayor Ken Kolowski said there already there is burgeoning corporate interest in seeing the TIF created.

It would feature diving boards, a water slide, 25-meter competition lanes and a capacity of 434 swimmers. A committee thinks the City of Peru could fund it with a 20-year bond.

The Peru City Council may be nearing a consensus on how to adorn the water tower, but a final vote is pending.

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry is launching a $750,000 fundraising campaign to assist in covering the cost of its new building in Peru and a walk-in cooler and freezer.

The council unanimously approved a $58,500 feasibility study proposal from the Sports Facilities Company during Monday’s meeting.

The Peru City Council is split over a proposed UFO-themed water tower. Mayor Kolowski calls for public input, while aldermen back the design as a way to boost the city’s identity and regional appeal.

The council briefly considered establishing an e-bike committee during Monday night’s meeting, ultimately deciding they needed more time to discuss what forming a committee would entail, such as agendas and record-keeping.

The Peru City Council will discuss e-bikes and the City Center and Sports Complex at its Monday meeting.

The Peru Pool Advisory Committee will host a public meeting on Monday, June 14, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at Peru City Hall, 1901 4th St.

The budget includes $4.2 million in grants for major capital investment, with the largest being the continuation of the Plank Road widening project and the OSLAD grant project at Washington Park.

Peru's electric department earns Illinois Municipal Utilities Association's 2025 System Achievement Award for strategic initiatives.

Manny Winfert was sworn in as a patrol officer for the Peru Police Department during Monday’s City Council meeting

Peru City council unanimously voted Monday, May 5, 2025 to terminate Economic Director Robert Vickrey's contract.

Peru City Council meetings will no longer be streamed on Facebook as the city has opted for posting on YouTube instead.

Peru’s new city clerk, a former alderman, said he is looking forward to working with the city’s citizens and businesses over the next four years.