The Illinois State Board of Education has produced this year’s school report cards and the numbers are on track for Ottawa and LP High Schools. The OHS graduation rate is at 82% while LaSalle-Peru High School is over 80%, as well. Teacher retention at both schools is above 90%. SAT scores are up in English, Math, and Science. Both schools received a “commendable” rating, meaning there are no underperforming student groups. The annual report card for school districts can be found at Illinois-report-card-dot-com. Meantime, Community college enrollment in Illinois is up this fall. The Illinois Community College System enrollment increased by one-point-five percent from fall 2022. That is the first system-wide enrollment hike since 2009.
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Several lawmakers in southern Illinois are challenging the state’s sanctuary status. The legislators are sponsoring a bill that would repeal the Trust Act. House Republican Floor Leader Patrick Windhorst of Metropolis and State Representatives Dave Severin of Benton and Paul Jacobs of Carbondale issued a joint statement saying the TRUST Act has been disastrous. They claim 628-thousand undocumented immigrants reside in Illinois, a number that, the trio says, is unsustainable for cities in the state.
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The City of LaSalle is a member of the North Central Council of Governments, a non-profit entity that provides planning and assistance to communities. NCICG recently contacted Curt Bedei, the Economic Development Director for the City about relief for low-income homeowners in LaSalle. Bedei was asked to begin by locating 75 addresses in LaSalle that were owner-occupied and considered low to moderate-income. La Salle could potentially receive $650,000 in grant money in January 2024 to dole out in 65,000 increments to 10 homeowners who best meet NCICG’s criteria. If you feel you are eligible and you are not a tenant and live on the premises you own, contact City Hall and ask for Curt. You can also email him by clicking his name on his LaSalle website bio sheet. There will be a public meeting at the LaSalle City Hall on Monday, November 6th at 5:00 p.m. for more information on whether or not you qualify. The North Central Illinois Council of Governments is awarded grant money directly from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
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An investigation is underway following a fire at Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry. The blaze broke out last night in an exhaust vent. It was put out in less than two hours. One person possibly suffered smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire hasn’t been released.
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The Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce announced that nominations for the annual Under-Forty Award are open. If you live or work in LaSalle, Bureau, or Putnam counties and are involved in local organizations and are trying to make a difference, nominate yourself or someone you know. Nominees must be 39 years old or younger on Dec 31st, 2023 to qualify. Once nominations close, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire and then 40 individuals will be selected by a committee to be named this year’s 40 under 40. Nominations close November 17th. There are no limits on number of individuals you can nominate.
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Illinois State Police is releasing a video showing a state trooper being shot last week in Springfield. Authorities say the footage shows Cristobal Santana of Chicago pulling out a gun and firing shots at Trooper Dakotah Chapman-Green during a traffic stop. Santana then severely beat the trooper with the gun and drove away before being arrested a couple of hours later. He has been charged with attempted murder. Chapman-Green remains hospitalized but is expected to recover.
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Midway Airport is setting a record for firearms seized. Transportation Security Administration officers discovered a firearm in a passenger’s carry-on bag last Friday at the Chicago airport. That brings the total number of firearms detected at the airport to 43 this year. The previous annual record was 42 firearms, set in 2021.
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40-year-old Jessica Shannon of Seneca is charged with driving on a suspended license after an Ottawa Police traffic stop at Columbus Street and Reynolds Manor Drive on Monday. She was given a court date.
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27-year-old Adalberto Carrera of Chicago was arrested Monday for driving with a suspended license at Boyce Memorial Drive and Phelps Street. He was given a notice to appear.
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22-year-old Michael L. Diaz of Marseilles is charged with speeding, reckless driving, as well as driving with a suspended license, and without insurance. He was stopped by Ottawa Police Monday in the 2000 block of U.S. 6.
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On Friday night 35-year-old Kyleigh Rhea of LaSalle was charged by La Salle County deputies with driving without insurance following a traffic stop at Etna Road and Fairfield Lane.
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WEATHER:
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low of around 30. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Rosemary Thorson, 60, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday at Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 4, at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 3, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa and the church on Saturday, one hour before the service.
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HIGH SCHOOL LOCAL SPORTS:
Three Rivers announces all-conference boys soccer team
Undefeated conference champion Mendota landed seven players on the All-Three Rivers Conference Team.
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PRO/COLLAGE SPORTS:
>>Bears Acquire DE Sweat From Washington
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Chicago Bears were buyers at this year’s NFL trade deadline. Chicago brought in defensive end Montez Sweat from Washington in a trade that sent a 2024 second-round pick to the Commanders. Sweat is in his fifth NFL season, and he has six-and-a-half sacks and two forced fumbles in eight games this season. The Bears did not end up trading away cornerback Jaylon Johnson despite permitting him to seek a trade earlier this week. Chicago goes up against New Orleans on Sunday.
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>>Bulls Visit Mavs
(Dallas, TX) — The Chicago Bulls aim to get above .500 when they visit the Dallas Mavericks at America Airlines Center tonight. The Bulls are 2-and-2 this season after beating the Indiana Pacers 112-105 on Monday. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:30 p.m.
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>>Blackhawks Prepare For Panthers
(Chicago, IL) — The Chicago Blackhawks will have plenty of time to re-group following a bad loss against Arizona earlier this week. The Blackhawks were crushed by the Coyotes 8-1 on Monday, but they won’t play again until Saturday. Chicago will spend the rest of the week getting ready for their game against the Florida Panthers. The Hawks are in last place in the Central Division with six points and a 3-6-and-0 record. Saturday’s game begins at 7:00 PM.
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>>Fighting Irish Football Makes First CFP Rankings
(South Bend, IN) — The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are a part of the top 25 from the College Football Playoff committee. The Irish came in at number 15 in the first poll of the season. The ranking matches Notre Dame’s highest rank from the 2022 season. The Irish are 7-and-2 overall this year. They visit unranked Clemson this Saturday.
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>>College Basketball Round Up
In college basketball exhibition action tonight, Northwestern hosts McKendree, and Notre Dame welcomes Hanover.