Developer wants to build two new hotels along Interstate 80 in Peru

A couple new hotels are in the future for Peru.

First Midwest Group out of Rockford has agreed to tear down the old Econo Lodge north of Interstate 80 along May Road and build two new hotels on the seven-acre property. The developers will pay to demolish the rundown hotel and hope to have it leveled by May of next year.

Peru’s development director Bob Vickrey says one of the hotels will be an Extended Stay Inn while the other will be a Hilton Garden Inn or something similar to it.

Lee County official arrested

A northern Illinois state’s attorney has been charged with driving under the influence after the sheriff says the van she was driving struck a parked car.  Sauk Valley Media reports Lee County State’s Attorney Anna Sacco-Miller also was charged Sunday with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

A message seeking comment was left Monday for Sacco-Miller at her office by The Associated Press.

Sheriff John Simonton says the 48-year-old Sacco-Miller of Dixon was alone in her van when the accident occurred. No injuries were reported. He says she was released from the Lee County Jail after posting $100 bond and her driver’s license, which he says is standard procedure.

State police are handling the investigation.

Rauner stops refugee influx

Chicago-based immigrant rights groups and advocates are blasting Gov. Bruce Rauner’s decision to temporarily stop accepting new Syrian refugees in Illinois in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

The Arab American Action Network says the decision creates a “fictitious link” between those fleeing war and violence and those responsible for the deadly attacks. The group says it also fuels racist stereotypes.

The Organized Communities Against Deportations wants Rauner to reconsider.

The Chicago office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says Rauner’s decision is “an impulsive reaction” that’s “a political exploitation of a tragedy” versus effective security.

Rauner announced Monday that Illinois will consider legal options pending a review of U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s acceptance and security processes. Rauner says Illinois must balance welcoming refugees while ensuring safety.

Accident and cannabis keep police busy

A District 17 trooper stopped to give a motorist help, but the Chicago driver got a lot more than what he wanted. 24-year old Javaunte Scott was stopped at I-80 and Route 40 around 1am Monday and was found with 60 grams of cannabis and drug paraphernalia in his car. He went to the Bureau County jail.

A LaSalle County deputy was called to a 2 car collision around 1pm Monday at Routes 251 and 18, south of Lostant.   “Classic Hits 103-9 WLPO” talked with the Sheriff’s office and learned the accident was not fatal.   No names or details were available as of late Monday afternoon

Alleged drunken driver crashes into a house in Spring Valley

A driver from Peru is accused of being drunk when he crashed into a house.

Joshua Taylor was on Spalding Street Sunday morning when he missed a turn and crashed into power pole, gas meter, and a house on Third Street in Spring Valley. Officers think Taylor missed the turn because he was driving drunk.

He wasn’t hurt and no one inside the house was hurt. Because of the damaged Taylor caused, firefighters and the electric and street departments to come to the crash scene.

No tickets issued in crash that had Mendota girl flown to a Rockford hospital

If you’ve been following the story of a young girl being hit by a car in Mendota, the student is on the mend.

According to the Mendota Police Department, the 12-year-old was treated at Rockford Memorial Hospital for a broken femur and got several stitches but she’s now recovering at her home. She was hit after school Friday just south of Northbrook Elementary School while she was crossing the street.

The crash looks like an accident since the driver hasn’t been ticketed.

Congressman Kinzinger continues push towards military response against ISIS

Your congressman continues to not mince words following Friday’s attacks in Paris.

After hearing about the French launching airstrikes in Syria, Republican Adam Kinzinger took to his Twitter to say “France is bombing ISIS…good; I’ve been warning our President and am leading the fight to authorize use of military force against ISIS.”

Back on Friday Kinzinger said “we must crush these bastards, and we must do it now.” He calls ISIS a cancer.

Gas leak causes brief traffic issue on Route 351

Traffic had to be rerouted in La Salle after a gas leak Monday morning.

A fire truck blocked traffic in both directions after the gas leak reported after 9 o’clock near the intersection of 9th and Joliet Street, next to Sav-a-Lot.

Traffic was back open on Joliet Street or Route 351 about an hour later.

Geneva couple hurt after motorcycle crash at Starved Rock State Park

During what could be the last good weekend of the year to take the motorcycle out, a suburban couple crashed their bike at Starved Rock State Park.

Paramedics got the call about an accident just before noon Sunday. It happened on Route 71 in the park known as the “Starved Rock Curves” which have been the site of many motorcycle crashes over the years.

Charles Penrow drifted onto the shoulder and hit some trees and bushes. He and his passenger, Dorothy Penrow were thrown from the bike.

They were taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru.

Rainy week ahead for the Illinois Valley

Make sure the umbrella is handy and sump pump is in working order this week.

Rain is expected to start falling in the Illinois Valley Monday evening but intensify Tuesday with the chance of thunderstorms. It’s possible that up to 3 inches of rain could fall by Wednesday morning. Make sure your leaves aren’t blocking drainage spots as there could be flash flooding.

Once the rain moves out Wednesday, cooler temperatures move in with highs the rest of the work week and weekend expected to be in the 30s and 40s.