Vallas named as Quinn’s 2014 running mate

A man who once campaigned to be your governor wants to be your Lt.  Governor.

Paul Vallas has been picked to be Democrat Governor Pat Quinn’s running mate in the 2014 election.  The announcement came Friday. Vallas says he’s honored to join forces with the strongest reform governor in the country.  He once served as the CEO of Chicago Public Schools.

Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon, also a Democrat, plans to challenge Republican Judy Barr Topinka for State Comptroller.

Dr. Perales indicted on federal drug charges

          Three months after his medical clinic in Peru was raided by police officers and FBI agents, Dr. Constantino Perales is facing federal drug charges.

          Perales was arrested in August on state charges and was being held in the La Salle County Jail until Friday morning when he was taken to Chicago.  He was indicted Wednesday.  He’s accused of illegally giving Oxycodone and Alprazolam to three patients on 17 occasions between May 2012 and August 2013.

           Perales was scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier Friday afternoon.

Each of the 17 counts against him carries up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. 

March of Dimes throws another Signature Chef’s Auction

An annual fundraiser for the March of Dimes sent people home full and brought in $120,000. 

Peggy Cain says they’re grateful for the support they received from the community during the Signature Chef’s Auction at Celebrations 150 Thursday night.

It featured live and silent auctions and food from area restaurants.

Area scouts collecting food donations

Don’t be startled if you here a knock on your front door Saturday.  Local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts will be going around distributing bags to people in Peru with the hopes that you’ll fill those bags with food for the Illinois Valley Food Pantry.

They call it Scouting for Food.  Jason Haskell is a den leader for the Tiger Den in Peru.  He says you’ll receive a bag and a flyer explaining what can be donated.   Make sure your bags are out by 10am the following Saturday.

They may not be able to reach every house so if you would like to donate and don’t receive a bag you can get one at Casey’s General Store on Fourth Street.  You can also leave your items there.

The collection isn’t limited to only Peru.  More area troops may be participating in their communities.