La Salle Man to Spend 6 Years Behind Bars for Allegedly Dealing Heroin

One of the many alleged drug dealers brought in by the Peru Police Department earlier this year learned his fate Friday.

Ricardo Andrade pled guilty to two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance in court yesterday. The 30-year old La Salle man had been arrested back in March after he was accused of selling heroin to undercover officers.

He was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for each of the felony charges. Judge H. Chris Ryan said Andrade will be eligible to serve both sentences at the same time.

The Second of LaMoille’s “Buffalo Days” Kicking Off Saturday

It’s time for day two of LaMoille Buffalo Days.

Today’s schedule includes a 5K Run/Walk, the festival parade, vendor show, bed races, a lip sync contest and live music.  Buffalo Days wraps up tomorrow with bean bag and volleyball tournaments, buffalo wing cook-off, auction and 50-50 drawing.

You can click here to learn more about the LaMoille Buffalo Days

 

 

State Representative Andy Skoog Doesn’t Condone Ottawa Protests that show “A lot of Anger”

An Illinois Valley State Representative is denying claims he supported or encouraged protests that took place during Governor Bruce Rauner’s visit to the Illinois Valley Monday.

Democratic State Representative Andy Skoog told Classic Hits 103.9 WLPO he “doesn’t condone any inappropriate comments made that day.” Skoog did recognize that there is “a lot of anger” towards the governor; he also said he doesn’t believe the comments are indicative of the community.

Skoog’s opponent, union truck driver and Republican Jerry Long, tied the representative to Monday’s rallies by pointing to a picture of someone making inappropriate gestures at Governor Rauner and saying Skoog “got the result he’s been looking for.

Skoog also indicated in his statement that he was not invited to attend the governor’s appearance Monday.

Woman Sentenced to Three Years after Getting Caught Driving Drug Dealers

A woman who was already on probation for burglary is off to prison for a few years after she was caught allegedly driving around some drug dealers.

Callista Lippert was in court yesterday after being arrested earlier this year. She was accused of driving Marco and Sharon Verucchi to heroin deals back in January that would turn out to be with undercover cops. Police say when she was arrested she also had heroin in her possession.

The charges were a violation of the probation she was already on for the 2015 arrest for burglary, and she was sentenced yesterday to 3 years in prison.

Ottawa Wine and Jazz Fest Resumes Saturday and Sunday at Noon

One of the biggest festivals in the Illinois Valley continues today in downtown Ottawa.

You can sip on some wine, chow lobster and take in live jazz music as part of Ottawa’s “2 Rivers Wine & Jazz Fest.”  The action runs today from noon until 10 and tomorrow from noon until 5.  It’s the sixth edition of the “2 Rivers Wine & Jazz Fest.”

You can click here to find out more information about the 2 Rivers Wine & Jazz Fest.