A small stretch of County Highway 55, also known as Trumbo Road, will be closed in Fall River Township beginning Monday morning. The LaSalle County Highway Department is replacing a culvert just west of East 19th Road, Old Gentleman Road. The project should take about a week to complete.
—————————————————————————-
Illinois has nearly 50 new laws. Governor JB Pritzker on Friday signed 45 new laws. They cover everything from lowering the price of a fishing license to ending the requirement that people tell the state about their convictions when applying for a professional license, to a new law that allows businesses to install mixed-gender public restrooms. Pritzker on Saturday signed the Firearm Industry Responsibility Act into law. That act makes it clear that gun manufacturers can be sued for what their guns are used for in Illinois.
—————————————————————————-
Illinois gun sellers are taking their argument to the Supreme Court after last week’s statewide assault weapons ban was upheld. Law Weapons in Naperville hosted a rally and fundraiser for their efforts on Sunday. The owner of the store says he stands to lose 85 percent of his business after the move by the Illinois Supreme Court. Now he’s taking his argument to the U.S. Supreme Court to issue an injunction lifting the ban on assault weapon sales in Illinois.
—————————————————————————-
Illinois is now the first state to make sure child social media influencers are appropriately compensated for their work. Senator David Koehler sponsored the bill that goes into effect in July of next year. The Peoria Democrat noted that some parents are profiting off of their children’s social media status and cutting the kids out of their earnings. While other states have rules regarding parents and their kids’ earnings on television and stage, Illinois is the first to specifically mention social media.
—————————————————————————-
A landmark pension reform bill is now law in Illinois. House Bill 2352 Cook County Board President Toni Preckwickle called it “a historic and important step to make sure county pensions are fully funded.” Right now, the state pension system has enough funds to cover more than 65 percent of its future liabilities. The new law will help increase that percentage.
—————————————————————————-
University of Illinois researchers are going back to a galaxy far, far away with their new design of a hands-free wheelchair. Star Wars droid BB-8 was the inspiration for the technology behind PURE — a self-driving wheelchair. PURE is an acronym for Personalized Unique Rolling Experience, a fitting name for the “ballot” chair design. Mechanical engineers with the local university say the chair operates like a Segway, with the operator leaning in the desired direction.
—————————————————————————-
A 17-year-old man from Mendota suffered minor injuries in a single-vehicle accident in Ophir Township near East 8th and North 39th Roads. The driver was unable to stop at the intersection and ended up in a field. Mendota EMS transported the driver to St. James Hospital.
—————————————————————————-
Ottawa Police have charged an Ottawa man with burglary and possession of a controlled substance. 44-year-old Brent Valdez was arrested in the 1000 block of Columbus Street on Wednesday, posted bond, and was released.
—————————————————————————-
38-year-old Brandon Geiger of Ottawa faces charges of driving under the influence, illegal transportation of alcohol, driving on a suspended license, and no insurance after a stop by Ottawa Police on Friday on East Norris Drive. Geiger was released with a notice to appear in court.
31-year-old Cameron J. Harshaw was charged by Peru Police Thursday at the Tou-Rest Motel on U.S. 6 with domestic battery and interfering with reporting domestic violence. Harshaw was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
—————————————————————————-
A Spring Valley woman faces charges of speeding and suspended registration for no insurance after a stop by Peru Police early Friday morning at 4th and Fulton Streets. Claudia A. Arevalo Hernandez was released with a notice to appear.
—————————————————————————-
A 14-year-old girl was stopped by Peru Police at Main and Cross Streets last Tuesday afternoon and charged with no valid driver’s license and failure to give aid after a hit & run accident.
—————————————————————————-
WEATHER:
Today – Thunderstorms are likely this morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 72F. SSE winds shifting to W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%
Tonight – Scattered thunderstorms early, then cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
—————————————————————————-
OBITS:
Jimmie Arthur Watts, 71, of Harding, passed away Saturday, August 12 at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, at the Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles. Funeral services with at 11 a.m. Thursday at Oakwood Memorial Park
Faith McNamara passed away at home on August 10th, after a courageous battle with cancer. All services will be at the Praise Center at the Assembly of God church in Ottawa. Visitation will be Friday, August 18th, from 4-6:30 pm. Funeral Service will be at 11 am on Saturday, August 19th.
—————————————————————————-
SPORTS:
Ottawa Pirates Boys Golf Team took second out of 5 at St Charles invite.
Top scorers
Colt Bryson with 75
Logan Cottingham 80
Jax Addis 86
Team total 327 through 18 holes
—————————————————————————-
White Sox Fall To Milwaukee
(Chicago, IL) — The White Sox didn’t score until the ninth inning during a 7-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Guaranteed Rate Field. Dylan Cease was charged with his sixth loss after surrendering a pair of runs in seven innings. Elvis Andrus drove in a pair of runs in the losing effort, while Andrew Vaughn had three hits. The Sox are in fourth place in the AL Central at 47-and-72. The Southsiders visit the Cubs tomorrow night.
—————————————————————————-
Cubs Get Crushed By Jays
(Toronto, ON) — The Cubs gave up five runs in the second innings of an 11-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Jameson Taillon was charged with his seventh loss after surrendering eight runs in three innings of work. Patrick Wisdom hit his 20th home run of the season in the losing effort. The Cubs have a 61-and-57 record and are three-and-a-half games behind Milwaukee for the NL Central lead and a half-game back of Miami for the final NL Wild Card spot. The Cubs host the White Sox tomorrow night.
—————————————————————————-
Fields Shines In Bears Preseason Win
(Chicago, IL) — Justin Field showcased his arm as the Bears beat the Tennessee Titans in a 23-17 preseason victory on Saturday at Soldier Field. Fields completed all three of his pass attempts for 129 yards and a pair of scores. DJ Moore and Khalil Herbert both caught a TD from Fields, with Moore going for 62 yards on his first unofficial catch for Chicago. The Bears visit the Colts for preseason game number two on Saturday.
—————————————————————————-
Sky Lose To Mystics
(Washington, DC) — The Chicago Sky are on a three-game losing streak following an 83-76 loss to the Washington Mystics at Entertainment and Sports Arena. The Sky managed just 37 points in the second half of the loss. Kahleah Copper had 17 to lead Chicago, while Marina Mabrey chipped in with 15. Chicago is tied for eighth place in the WNBA at 12-and-18. The Sky visits the Dream on Friday.