Miguel Fraga Awaits Trial, New Attorney in Sex Crimes Case

A Peru man who is waiting on a trial for alleged sex crimes is now also looking for new representation.

Miguel “Mike” Fraga appeared in court Thursday after his indictment Wednesday. During the appearance his attorney announced that he wouldn’t be able to represent the 47-year old due to a “conflict of interest”.

Fraga is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual assault and sexual relations with a family member.  He was arrested last month as part of a joint investigation by the Peru Police Department, Illinois State Police and La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Fraga came up with $20,000 to get out of jail.  His next court appearance will be July 7^th.

Body found near the Lee-Bureau County line identified as Dunlap man

The body of a Dunlap man was found Wednesday morning north of Ohio just west of Route 26.

Deputies from Lee County were called just after 10:30 about a pickup truck that was parked in the middle of a county road. There was nobody in or around the truck.

Eventually officers saw a path in some nearby weeds leading down to a water-filled ditch. Fifty-four year old Carl Whalen was found dead at the scene. Police are still looking into the cause of Whalen’s death, but foul play isn’t suspected.

Ottawa man seriously hurt in ATV incident

An ATV accident had an Ottawa man being flown to the suburbs for medical treatment.

Just after one Tuesday afternoon, 33-year-old Philip Shoemaker was moving an ATV on his property north of Ottawa when the throttle stuck open. Deputies say Shoemaker ended up hitting a fence where the ATV turned over onto its side.

Suffering from an arm and leg injury, Shoemaker was flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. He’s still at the hospital where he’s being listed in “good” condition.

Buffalo Days festival returns in LaMoille

“Let’s Get Together” is the theme for this year’s version of LaMoille Buffalo Days.

The three day festival kicks off Friday with a beer tent, food, kid’s games, live music, pageants and fireworks. Saturday’s Buffalo Days rundown includes a 5K Run/Walk, the festival parade, vendor show, bed races, a lip sync contest and live music.

Buffalo Days wraps up Sunday with bean bag and volleyball tournaments, buffalo wing cook-off, auction and 50-50 drawing. You can see more about the festival by clicking LaMoille Buffalo Days

Overturned semi snarls traffic near the I-80 and I-39 interchange

Cleanup crews spent much of Thursday morning getting a semi back upright after it overturned onto its side near the Interstate 80 and Interstate 39 interchange.

The crash happened around 8 o’clock in the morning. The semi rolled while going eastbound on I-80. The rig blocked the right lane of traffic but the left lane stayed open. Crews got the semi upright more than two hours after it overturned.

La Salle paramedics took two people from the scene to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru with minor injuries.

Pair from Pennsylvania accused of having meth driving through Peru

Brothers from Pennsylvania are spending time a lot in the Illinois Valley, specifically inside the county jail in Ottawa.

Thirty-year-old Kenneth Nemes and 26-year-old Joshua Nemes both of Elizabeth, Pennsylvania were indicted this week for unlawful possession of methamphetamine. They were initially pulled over last month on May Road in Peru.

The older Nemes is also charged with a felony of possession of contraband inside a penal institution. He needs $10,000 to spring out of jail while the younger Nemes needs $2,000.