The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is reminding everyone to create a home fire escape plan. Residents should also practice the plan with the entire family so everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. The DCFS launched a free statewide program in October 2019 to provide smoke alarms to families served by the department. DCFS has distributed more than four thousand smoke alarms to families across Illinois. Meanwhile, eight IVCC Ottawa Center students completed paramedic training last week. Five responders will be part of the Ottawa Fire Department once they pass a national licensing test. Fire Chief Brian Bressner said the added responders will strengthen coverage and alleviate overtime.
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Following the upcoming Marseilles Fall Fest this weekend, Marseilles Cleanup Days will kick in from Thursday, October 19th to Saturday, October 21st. Brush, tree limbs, garbage, paint, tires, electronic items, and chemicals posing a public health hazard will not be acceptable. Large appliances must have doors removed. Call the Marseilles city garage at 815-795-4000 for more information.
And, thanks to the Marseilles Boy Scout Troop 799 for building a new Little Library in Knudson Park. It’s on the park’s east side across from the newly built Gift Garden. The Little Library has free books for the community to share as well as serving as a drop-off point for gently used books.
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A little after 4 p.m. Monday, La Salle County Deputies 25-year-old Larson of Leland for an obstructed front windshield. Larson was stopped near Illinois 23 and North 19th Road in Farm Ridge Township. He was released with a notice to appear. Then, a short time later, at about 4:45 Monday, Sheriff’s Deputies stopped 23-year-old Tyler Akey of Channahon for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Akey was stopped in Brookfield Township near Illinois 170 and Norther 21st Road. He was released with a court date.
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The Illinois Housing Department Authority grant applications of up to $60,000 for homeowners needing help with past-due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, and homeowner or condo association fees will no longer be accepted on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. The department says there is no
guarantee of additional funding from Congress. Any applications submitted prior will be reviewed. A submitted application is not a guarantee of approval. Visit www.illinoishousinghelp.org for more information.
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A Sterling man is accused of stealing more than 17 thousand dollars from a local church food pantry fund. Todd Cornilsen is facing felony theft charges. He was booked at the Whiteside County jail last week and is out on bond.
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A home is destroyed following an explosion in far northwest suburban Woodstock. Authorities say firefighters were called out yesterday for the smell of natural gas in a neighborhood. It was determined that a crew working in the area had hit a gas main alongside a sewer line. Later that afternoon, a two-story home exploded. No one suffered serious injuries, but two firefighters were transported to the hospital with minor injuries. At least ten structures were damaged in the blast, including a church and school. The cause of the explosion is under investigation.
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The University of Illinois Springfield Astronomy-Physics Program is hosting a partial solar eclipse watch party this weekend. The event is free and open to the public and will be held on Saturday at the UIS quad by the colonnade. On Saturday, central Illinois will experience a partial solar eclipse when the moon casts a shadow on the Earth as it passes between the Earth and the sun.
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“The Price is Right Live” is coming to the Quad Cities next year. The one-night show will be held at the Adler Theatre in Davenport on March 22nd. Randomly selected members of the audience will get a chance to play some of the show’s most famous games. Tickets go on sale Friday.
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WEATHER:
Today
Widespread frost before 8 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 61. West wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 38. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
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OBITUARIES:
Chloe Ann Hettel, 15, of Buda, TX (born in Ottawa) passed away on Monday, October 2nd. Visitation will be from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. this Thursday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home with burial to follow at St. Columba Cemetery.
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HIGH SCHOOL LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls volleyball
Marquette Academy 2, Roanoke-Benson 0: At Rural Varna, the No. 2-seeded Crusaders earned a victory over the No. 7 Rockets in the opening round of the Tri-County Conference Tournament at Midland High School. Marquette advances to tonight’s semifinal against St. Bede.
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St. Bede Academy 2, Woodland 1: At Rural Varna, the No. 3-seeded Warriors dropped the decision to the No. 6 Bruins in the opening round of the TCC Tournament. Woodland will play Roanoke-Benson at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the consolation semifinals
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PRO SPORTS:
>>Blackhawks Open Season At Pittsburgh
(Pittsburgh, PA) — The 2023-24 Chicago Blackhawks season starts tonight when the Hawks visit the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. The Blackhawks will try to rebound from a disappointing 26-49-and-7 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs for the third season in a row. Chicago re-tooled in the offseason, selecting generational prospect Connor Bedard with the first-overall pick in the NHL Draft. The team also brought in veterans Taylor Hall and Corey Perry. The Blackhawks went 2-2-and-2 in exhibition play. Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 p.m.
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>>Bears Prepare For Vikings
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Chicago Bears will spend the week getting ready for their home game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Chicago is coming off its first win of the season, a 40-20 win over Washington last Thursday. The Bears and Vikings are both tied for last place in the NFC North at 1-and-4, so a Chicago victory would get the team out of the division cellar for the first time this season. Reinforcements could be on the way for the Bears, as the team designated cornerback Kyler Gordon and offensive lineman Doug Kramer to return from injured reserve yesterday. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon.
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>>Report: Bulls Engaged In Extension Talks With DeRozan
(Chicago, IL) — The Chicago Bulls are trying to lock down one of their top players before the start of the regular season later this month. ESPN is reporting that the team has been talking about a potential contract extension for DeMar DeRozan. The report says that the Bulls and DeRozan have only had preliminary talks about a new deal. The 34-year-old is entering his third season with Chicago. He averaged 24-and-a-half points and over five assists in 74 games with the Bulls last season.