United Way of Eastern La Salle County is kicking off its annual campaign which will run through November 6. The 2023 Campaign chair is Ottawa Police Chief Brent Roalson. He is joined by a co-chair, Rookie, the new Ottawa P.D. therapy dog. United Way has a goal of $245,381 for the 49-day campaign. Funds are used to support participating agencies in the service area which includes Ottawa and Sheridan to Leland and Grand Ridge. To donate or get more information, visit the United Way website at unitedwayelc.org or contact Executive Director Sally Honiotes at 815-434-4003.
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The LaSalle County Health Department will offer the first of three walk-in flu vaccination clinics this afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Other flu shot clinics will be on Tuesday, October 3rd, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, October 24th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The health department is in the LaSalle County Government Complex on East Etna Road on Ottawa’s north side.
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U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is showing his support for striking auto workers in Illinois. The Illinois Democrat joined United Auto Workers on the picket line yesterday at General Motors in Bolingbrook. He urged UAW and the Big Three automakers to work towards a resolution that gives employees a share in the success they’ve helped to create. Thousands of auto workers are on strike at parts and distribution centers across 20 states.
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Illinois First Lady MK Pritzker will be speaking at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum next month. The first lady is paying a visit to discuss her new book about the Illinois Governor’s Mansion. She will share stories about some of the mansion’s renowned residents and visitors, including Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt.
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LaSalle County Deputies early Monday morning arrested 35-year-old Russel Farley of Harding on a charge of aggravated domestic battery. He ended up at the LaSalle County Jail.
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A 26-year-old Mendota man was not hurt in a single-vehicle accident Monday morning in Earl Township near U.S. 34 and East 14th Road. LaSalle County Deputies say Timothy Bender was eastbound on 34 when he fell asleep, drove off the roadway, and struck a tree.
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WEATHER:
Today
Showers and thunderstorms are likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 3 p.m. High near 75. Southeast wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 8 pm and 10 pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 10 pm. Low around 60. East wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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OBITUARIES:
Christopher George Falaney, age 55, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 20th, in Normal.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 30th, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.
Shirley A. Gielow, 81 of Grand Ridge passed away Sunday at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa. A visitation will be held Sunday from 4 – 6 PM at the Grand Ridge Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6 PM. A private family burial will be in the Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery, in Ottawa.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys golf
Interstate 8 Conference Tournament: Ottawa recorded a team score of 322 to finish first ahead of runner-up Kaneland (328) in Monday’s Interstate 8 Conference Tournament at Kishwaukee Country Club in DeKalb. It is the second consecutive conference tournament championship for the Pirates.
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Girls golf
Seneca 180, Ottawa 194: At Deer Park Golf Course, the Fighting Irish wrapped a perfect (15-0) regular season by topping the Pirates with a school-record team score.
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Boys soccer
Ottawa 4, Rochelle 2: At Rochelle, the Pirates (10-6-2, 3-5) picked up the I-8 win over the host Hubs.
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Somonauk/Leland/Newark 6, Serena 1: At Serena
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Hinckley-Big Rock 2, Earlville 0: At Earlville, the Red Raiders (11-3-1, 2-2-1) came up short in the LTC match
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Harvard 10, Sandwich 1: At Harvard, the Indians dropped the Kishwaukee River Conference match to the host Hornets.
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Girls volleyball
St. Bede 2, Seneca 0: At Peru, the Fighting Irish fell 27-25, 25-15 to the host Bruins.
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Newark 2, Sandwich 0: At Newark, the Norsemen improved to 19-2 on the season with the 25-11, 25-15 victory over the Indians.
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Girls tennis
Streator 4, Kankakee 1: At Kankakee, the Bulldogs picked up the road win over the Kays.
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PRO SPORTS:
>>White Sox Host Diamondbacks
(Chicago, IL) — The White Sox begin their final home stand with a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Guaranteed Rate Field tonight. The White Sox are coming off a series win over the Boston Red Sox over the weekend. Chicago is in fourth place in the AL Central at 60-and-96. Jose Urena takes the mound for the Southsiders tonight.
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>>Cubs Visit Braves
(Atlanta, GA) — The Cubs continue their playoff chase with a game against the Braves tonight in Atlanta. The Cubs and Diamondbacks are both tied for the final two NL Wild Card spots at 82-and-74. However, the Cubs are just one game ahead of the surging Miami Marlins, who have won their last two games. Justin Steele gets the start for Chicago tonight.
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>>Bears Prepare For Broncos
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears will spend the week gearing up for a game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The Bears are still searching for their first win of the season after falling to 0-and-3 with a 41-10 loss to the Chiefs this past Sunday. The Broncos are also winless this season, and they were beaten even worse than the Bears over the weekend, becoming the first team since 1966 to give up 70 points in a game.