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Serving Bureau County Since 1847
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Armed robbery charge filed Case involves death of Peru K-9 By Goldie Currie gcurrie@bcrnews.com
PERU – An armed robbery charge has been filed against a Chicago man who allegedly was the gunman involved in the Peru Verizon Wireless Store robbery on Aug. 3, which involved the death of Peru K-9 Kali. Peru Police Chief Doug Bernabei announced in a press release that a warrant was obtained for Dennis Clark Jr., 23, on Sept. 3, which was just one month after the robbery. Clark is currently being held in the DuPage County Jail after being charged with a Naperville armed robbery. He will be scheduled for a LaSalle County Court appearance in the near future. LaSalle County Circuit Judge Cynthia Raccuglia has set bond at $1 million. Bernabei stated in his press release that additional charges may be filed later and the investigation is continuing regarding the accessory that drove the getaway vehicle. He commended the efforts of all police personnel for their professional response the night of the robbery and through the past month. “There is no doubt that over the past several years with our close proximity to Chicago and suburban communities along the Interstate 80 corridor, there has been an increase in violent criminal groups attempting crimes in the LaSalle County area,” he said. “Some very dangerous people with ties to Chicago organized crime groups have come into our community and have committed or attempted to commit a variety of crimes ranging from armed robbery, business burglaries and felony retail thefts.”
See Robbery Page 4 Year 167 No. 107 Two Sections - 36 Pages
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Council sets plan of attack By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — After expressing their concerns earlier this year about water and flooding problems in their neighborhoods, two Princeton residents came back to the Princeton City Council to say thank you for the council taking steps to attempt to solve future water problems. At Tuesday’s council meeting, Laura Favia thanked Mayor Keith Cain, city commissioners and City Manager Jeff Clawson
for moving forward with trying to find some solutions, as shown by the council’s adoption Tuesday night of a two-page sanitary/ storm sewer plan. “I’d like to thank you from the bottom of my heart to see that we are still moving forward on this,” Favia said. “It’s the first time in a long time I can breath a sigh of relief. I just hope we keep moving forward and I hope the problem is solved. Thank you for your long-term commitment. I truly, truly appreciate what you have done in a short period of time.”
Resident Esther Tracey also thanked the council for its action, saying she was encouraged by the plan which “offers some hope that there could be some relief to the problem.” In describing the two-page plan, Clawson said he, Superintendent of Streets Steve Wright and Wastewater Treatment Department Superintendent Tim Forristall had reviewed the Farnsworth Group’s sewer system study, presented in August
See Council Page 4
BCR photo/Hal Adkins
Just for kicks Youngsters with the Princeton Youth Soccer League show their skill, energy and concentration as they race for the ball during a recent game at Zearing Park. The Princeton Youth Soccer League program will continue with its practices and games through early October for about 600 area children ages pre-kindergarten through eighth grades. The motto of the league is “to educate, enlighten and exercise.”
Pull up a bench and sit for a while By Donna Barker dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The Princeton Park District is launching a memorial bench program to place new benches along the walking path at Zearing Park. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Princeton Park Board reviewed the new bench program, noting the memorial benches will offer people a great opportunity to remember and honor a person, event or organization.
Each bench will be 6 feet long, made of a punched Miratherm-perm in a hunter green color and installed on a concrete slab. The total cost of the bench will be either $1,585 or $1,737, depending on the size of the memorial plaque purchased to go on the bench. On Tuesday, executive director Elaine Russell said the memorial benches can be placed anywhere along the walking path at Zearing Park. Currently, there are 16 locations marked on a site handout, placed in conjunction with future
picnicking locations, future shade from newly planted trees and potential shelters around the pond, she said. “With almost two miles of path, I think we will have plenty of locations for people desiring benches,” Russell said. “As much as we desire activity, we also enjoy resting and that is what these benches will provide, a relaxing place to stop along their journey and enjoy the outdoors.”
See Benches Page 4
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