A 3.6 earthquake struck near Standard Illinois at about 4:41 this morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The earthquake was centered south of the village of Standard in Putnam County. The USGS said the earthquake had an estimated depth of 3.6 kilometers. At this time, there are no confirmed reports of damage. In a call with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, an official said they had plenty of callers but no one reporting damage or injury. 2.5 to 5.4 quakes are often felt, but only cause minor damage. The US Geological Survey says there are about 500,000 of these types of quakes every year.
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It’s audit time at Ottawa Elementary School District 141. The November Board meeting took place last night at the Central School Cafetorium and William Newkirk, a shareholder at Newkirk and Associates, summarized the audit in his annual presentation to the Board. The result is a clean bill of health for the 2023 fiscal that year began on October 1, 2022, and ended on September 30, 2023. Newkirk said there are several reasons why Ottawa School District gets such a clean bill of financial health. One of the big things is managing their debt load. They successfully issue working cash bonds in such a way that it keeps the tax rate stable. The District also manages debt to allow for reserves on hand while accomplishing capital projects at the same time. The school district does not over-extend debt so there is always the ability that issuers can cash bonds which means financial flexibility.
Newkirk issued three different opinions specifically on the financial statements themselves and then two different opinions on compliance related to grants which the state of Illinois compiled statutes require. Newkirk said they found no compliance findings, in other words, the Ottawa Elementary School District confidently has moved into fiscal year 2024. The district is looking at declaring the intention to issue bonds but has not yet decided to do so though they are in a very good financial position to do so. The School District has some outstanding bonds, three bond issues, and one debt certificate issue.
The School District is in excellent shape in terms of debt limit capacity. With steady growth over the last several years, they have a debt capacity of 6.9 percent of their assessed evaluation or about 24.4 million dollars.
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We have an update on the shots fired back on November 2nd overnight. Ottawa police received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots fired in the 1100 block of Pine Street. At about 2 am police secured the area and met with the homeowner who reported persons had forced their way into his house. Gunfire was exchanged with one of the suspects. Grundy County sheriff’s detectives then contacted Ottawa PD about a subject at the Morris Hospital being treated for gunshot wounds. Ottawa police collected evidence and came up with 20-year-old Fernando J Martinez as a suspect and reported their findings to the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s office.
On Monday of this week, a warrant was issued for Martinez’s arrest for home invasion, a Class X felony, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon a Class 2 felony. Later Monday afternoon about 4:30 pm, Martinez was arrested near Columbus and Dayton Road after a short foot pursuit and taken to La Salle County jail. Martinez was on parole for an aggravated battery conviction from 2021 when he was 18. At this time, Martinez is awaiting a pre-trial detention hearing where he will see a judge.
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This Thanksgiving week, Peru Police and the La Salle County Sheriff are joining the Illinois State Police to ensure holiday travelers are buckled up and driving sober with a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign that runs Nov. 17-27.
“Thanksgiving means more vehicles on the road – and an increased risk of crashes,” said the Department’s Spokesperson Lieutenant of Administrative Services Doug Bernabei. “No matter how long or short your drive, remember to buckle up and make sure children are in a safe seat. By buckling up and making a plan for a sober ride home, you help everyone have a safe and happy holiday.”
The goal of this effort is to reduce motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. Proper seat-belt use is the most effective way to protect vehicle occupants. If you’ll be celebrating with alcohol or other impairing substances, please remember to plan for a sober ride home before you go out. Call a taxi or ask a family member to get you home safely.
Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears their seat belt.
The Thanksgiving enforcement effort is made possible by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low of around 40. South wind around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Norma (Bridwell) Jameson, 96, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday morning, November 12th, at her home surrounded by family.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on tomorrow, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. tomorrow, at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Barbara Olson, age 75, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, November 13th, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, November 17th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. A luncheon will follow at the American Legion Post 33 in Ottawa. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on tomorrow Cremation rites will be accorded following services.
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Jacqueline Curtin 93 of Ottawa, passed away peacefully with family at her side at the LaSalle County Nursing Home in Ottawa on November 8th. A grave service will be on Friday, November 17th, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Utica.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Shepherd Boys Basketball Results 11/14
7th grade defeated Streator Northlawn by a score of 32-30. Leading the way for Shepherd: Mason Mucci with 11 points, Luca Fernandez with 9 points, Bryce Ceja with 7 points, and Bryce Lucas with 3 points. 7th grade is now 2-4.
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8th grade defeated Streator Northlawn by a score of 43-21. Leading the way for Shepherd: Blake Schiltz with 16 points, Amari Molina with 12 points and 10 rebounds, Nevan Holloway with 8 points, and Nico Kimes with 3 points. 8th grade is now 5-1.
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Girls basketball
Seneca 50, Hall 21: At the Falcon-Irish Thanksgiving Tournament in Seneca on Tuesday, the Fighting Irish led the Red Devils 15-11 after one quarter and 21-15 at halftime before a momentum-changing 19-4 third-quarter advantage.
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Serena 52, Herscher 13: At the Falcon-Irish Thanksgiving Tournament in Seneca, the Huskers improved to 2-0 after the victory over the Tigers.
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Ottawa 52, Prairie Central 14: At the Prairie Central/Pontiac Turkey Tip-Off Tournament in Fairbury, the Pirates evened their record to 1-1 with the win over the Hawks.
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Marquette Academy 62, Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland 39: At the Integrated Seeds Lady Falcon Classic in Flanagan, the Crusaders improved to 1-1 while the Falcons dropped to 0-2.
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Princeton 57, Streator 13: At the Princeton Holiday Tournament, the Bulldogs opened their season with a loss to the host Tigresses.
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La Salle-Peru 66, Sandwich 35: At the Tim Hunes Breakout Tournament in Somonauk, the Indians fell to 1-1 on the season after the loss to the Cavaliers.
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Streator 13, Princeton 53: Streator Varsity lost to Princeton 57-13 on 11/14. Six Bulldogs scored. They play Stark County on 11/15 to finish Pool play at Princeton
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Boys bowling
Sycamore 3,688, Ottawa 2,670: At Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb, the Pirates fell to the Spartans in the Interstate 8 Conference match.
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Mendota 3,472, Oregon 3,374: The Trojans trailed by 76 pins entering the third game but rallied for the win at the Mendota Elks.
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Rock Island 3,459, St. Bede 2,974: Haiden Ator rolled a 587 series as the Bruins lost in Rock Island.
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PRO/COLLAGE SPORTS:
>>Bulls Host Magic
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls will try to get back in the win column when they host the Orlando Magic at United Center tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 118-109 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. Chicago is in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a 4-and-7 record, while Orlando enters at 5-and-5. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM. In other team news, the Athletic is reporting that both the Bulls and Zach LaVine are open to exploring trade packages.
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>>Bellinger Declines Cubs Offer
(Chicago, IL) — Cody Bellinger will be testing free agency. The Cubs slugger declined Chicago’s 20.325-million dollar qualifying offer yesterday. If he ends up signing elsewhere, the Cubs will get draft pick compensation. Bellinger had a bounce-back season with Chicago in 2023, hitting .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBI to earn a Silver Slugger Award.
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>>Blackhawks Prepare For Lightning
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks are gearing up for their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at United Center tomorrow. The Blackhawks are coming off a 4-3 loss to Florida on Sunday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with ten points and a 5-8-and-0 record. Tomorrow’s game starts at 7:00 PM.
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>>Bears Begin Week 11 Practices
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears hit the practice field today as they get ready for their game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Chicago is coming off a 16-13 win over Carolina on Thursday Night Football last week. The Bears are in last place in the NFC North at 3-and-7. The team has still not announced if Justin Fields will return to game action this weekend after dislocating his thumb last month.
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>>Illinois Basketball Falls To Marquette
(Champaign, IL) — Number-23 Illinois faltered down the stretch during a 71-64 loss to number-five Marquette at State Farm Center. Ty Rodgers put Illinois up by two with a lay-up in the middle of the second half, but Marquette responded with a 12-3 run to take control of the game. Terrence Shannon Jr. poured in 21 points in the losing effort, while Marcus Domask added 18. The Illini fell to 2-and-1, and they host Valparaiso on Friday.
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>>Northwestern Pulls Away From Western Michigan
(Evanston, IL) — The Northwestern Wildcats survived a scare from Western Michigan during a 63-59 win at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The game was tied at 54 with four minutes left in regulation before Boo Buie knocked down a three to put the Wildcats up for good. Northwestern hit free throws down the stretch to seal the win. Buie had 21 points, while Brooks Bamhizer chipped in with 20. The 3-and-0 Wildcats take on Rhode Island on Saturday.
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>>College Basketball Round Up
In other college basketball action yesterday, DePaul beat South Dakota 72-60, Bradley crushed Tarleton State 86-63, Chicago State fell to Cal State Northridge 74-64, UIC took down Loyola 72-67, and Valparaiso snuck past Green Bay 64-59. Tonight, Illinois State hosts Eastern Illinois.
Lincoln Land 60, IVCC 59: The Eagles trailed by 14 points at halftime but nearly came back in the second half in a nonconference loss in Oglesby.
Wade Sims scored 31 of his 33 points in the second half for IVCC (1-4).
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>>Fighting Irish Move Up In CFP Rankings
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are moving up in the latest CFP rankings. The Irish moved from number 20 to number 19 yesterday despite not playing over the weekend. The 7-and-3 Irish host Wake Forest on Saturday.
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Northern Illinois defeated Western Michigan 24 to 0, they will take on Kent State on the 25th.