The first major winter weather event of the season moves in tonight and will continue through Tuesday night with two rounds of potential snowfall. The National Weather Service says LaSalle County has a Winter Weather Advisory that will begin at 8:00 this evening and run until 6:00 Tuesday night. Wet snow is expected to accumulate 3 to 6 inches with winds gusting to 30 miles an hour. Travel conditions could become hazardous on Tuesday morning and evening. Bureau and Putnam Counties will be under a Winter Storm Warning from 6:00 this evening until 6:00 Wednesday morning. Snow accumulations west of LaSalle County could reach 7 to 12 inches with winds gusting to 40 miles an hour creating considerable blowing and drifting of snow. Lee, Ogle, and DeKalb Counties to the north and west will see a potential of 5 to 9 inches of snow before the system moves out early Wednesday.
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The incoming winter storm means Snow Routes and other parking restrictions will be in effect in most communities. In Ottawa, Snow Routes are posted on the affected streets and go into effect when snowfall is more than two inches and remain in effect until the street has been plowed.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has observed a notable increase in respiratory illnesses across the state, as indicated in their recent update. COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are actively circulating, with 61 Illinois counties, as of December 23, experiencing High or Medium levels of COVID-19 hospital admissions, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Notably, La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam counties maintain a low level, each reporting less than 10% COVID-19 hospital admissions. Flu activity has surged, comparable to the pre-COVID-19 2019-2020 season, while RSV activity has mostly stabilized, with a slight increase in infant admissions noted in the past week. Additionally, RSV shots are now accessible for individuals aged over 60 and pregnant individuals. To keep the public informed, the state has launched an “Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard.”
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In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the LaSalle County Health Department is urging female residents to get screened for Cervical Cancer. We encourage women over the age of 21 to be tested for cervical cancer. The goal is to eradicate cervical cancer in Illinois by women taking charge and getting
screened. In 2023 an estimated 14,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with cervical cancer, and when caught early, is nearly 100 percent curable. The LaSalle County Health Department offers an Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program which can pay for Pap Smear tests for LaSalle or Grundy County women, ages 21-64 who have no insurance or who have high deductibles regardless of income. The website lasallecountyil.gov has more information.
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President Biden’s campaign is blasting former President Donald Trump for skipping an Illinois ballot-access tradition. Reports over the weekend that Trump didn’t sign the voluntary loyalty oath as part of his package of ballot-access paperwork submitted to the State Board of Elections last week. The oath pledges not to “advocate the overthrow of the government.” Biden’s campaign released a statement saying Trump couldn’t sign a piece of paper saying he won’t attempt a coup to overthrow our government, adding that he failed to do that three years ago, referring to the January 6th Capitol attack.
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A Sunday morning domestic incident took LaSalle County Deputies to 2525 East 1669th Road in Ottawa Township. 66-year-old June Oldman was arrested for domestic battery and taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A Mendota man was arrested for no valid driver’s license Friday night. Mendota Police stopped 62-year-old Francisco Montaya-Ortega at 6th Street and 4th Avenue. He was released with a court date.
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LaSalle County Deputies handled a domestic problem Thursday night in Brookfield Township at 2871 North 2350th Road. 52-year-old John Melton was arrested for domestic battery and taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A homeless man was arrested by LaSalle County Deputies Friday evening for a violation of an order of protection complaint. 28-year-old Ricardo Maldonado was picked up at 985 Holiday Drive in Northville Township and taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A Princeton woman was charged by Peru Police Thursday with no valid insurance and driving a vehicle with a suspended registration. 20-year-old Savannah Cashmore was stopped at 4th and Cross Streets.
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39-year-old Brendin Miskell of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Saturday on a charge of domestic battery after an incident at 702 East Joliet Street.
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Just after Noon on Sunday, LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in Hope Township near Illinois 18 and East 1st Road. 64-year-old Thomas Cosgrove of Varna was cited for speeding 74 miles an hour in a 55-zone.
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WEATHER:
Monday
Cloudy, with a high near 37. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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Monday Night
Snow, mainly after 8 pm. Low around 32. Breezy, with an east wind of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible.
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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM
THIS EVENING TO 6 PM CST TUESDAY.
* WHAT…Wet snow is expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 6
inches. Winds gusting as high as 30 mph.
* WHERE…La Salle Counties.
* WHEN…From 8 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and Tuesday
evening commute.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Additional light snow accumulations are
expected Tuesday night.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Slow down and use caution while traveling.
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OBITUARIES:
Betty Warren, 84, formerly of Seneca, passed away Tuesday, January 2nd, at OSF St. Claire Medical Center in Princeton. Visitation will be today from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 6:00 pm with Pastor Kris Zierke officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded.
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Carol (Tunnacliffe) Underhill, 88, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday, January 2nd, at home, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Margaret Gaffney, 97, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, December 24th, at The Pavilion of Ottawa. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 13th, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at noon at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Ralph E. Rowe, 83, of Marseilles, passed away Saturday, January 6th, at his home with his family by his side. The Ottawa Funeral Home is handling any arrangements.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Shepherd Middle School: 7th grade defeated LaSalle Lincoln 36 to 21 in the first round of the Starved Rock Conference Tournament. Leading the way for Shepherd: Joseph Donahue and Marquise Davis each had 9 points, Henry Farabaugh had 6 points, and Mason Mucci had 4 points. 7th grade is now 11-7.
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Shepherd Middle School: The 8th grade defeated Mendota Northbrook 51 to 35 in the first round of the Starved Rock Conference Tournament. Leading the way for Shepherd: Blake Schiltz with 26 points, Nevan Holloway with 17 points, Amari Molina with 6 points and Jett Johnson added 2 points. 8th grade is now 10-8.
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Boys basketball
Join us possibly tomorrow night as we may bring you Marquette boys Basketball as they take on Bishop. Bryer Lehr and David Bergeson with the call. And TonyB at the WCMY studios.
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Earlville 54, Polo 41: At Earlville, the host Red Raiders triumphed in nonconference play to improve to 16-1.
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Streator 60, Normal West 53: At the St. Joe-Ogden Christie Clinic Shootout the bulldogs capture the nonconference victory over the Wildcats.
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Seneca 48, Eureka 38: At the Clinton New Year’s Showdown, the Fighting Irish prevailed to improve to 12-5 on the season.
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Girls basketball
Streator 30, Earlville 28: At Pops Dale Gymnasium on Saturday, the host Bulldogs recorded their first victory of the season
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Marquette 55, Princeton 51: At Bader Gym, the host Crusaders earned the nonconference victory to improve to 11-4 on the season.
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Ottawa 46, Morris 38: At Kingman Gym, the host Pirates recorded the Interstate 8 Conference victory on Saturday
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Somonauk 56, Sandwich 43: At Somonauk on Pack the Place/Hall of Fame Night, the host Bobcats captured the victory
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Girls bowling
Streator 16th of 24 at invite: At the Plainfield South Invitational,
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Boys wrestling
At the Lyle King Princeton Invitational Tournament. Ottawa’s Ivan Munoz took home third place.
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Girls wrestling
At the Conant Girls Tournament in Hoffman Estates, Ottawa’s Ava Weatherford at 130 pounds and Juliana Thrush at 235 claimed “A” division titles
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Chicago Bears struggled in all phases of the game during a 17-9 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Bears trailed by one possession for most of the game, and they punted the ball with six minutes left in regulation. Green Bay went on a six-minute game-ending drive from there. The Bears gave up 432 yards of offense and managed just 192. Justin Fields passed for 148 yards and rushed for just 27. Chicago finishes the season with a 7-and-10 record. They have the first overall pick and the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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The Chicago Blackhawks had a pair of second-period goals during a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames at United Center. The Flames took a 2-1 lead in the frame before Philipp Kurashev tied the game at two. Nikita Zaitsev scored the go-ahead goal later in the period, and Colin Blackwell lit the lamp with an insurance score in the third. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 26 points and a 12-26-and-2 record. Chicago hosts Edmonton tomorrow night. In other team news, the Hawks placed Connor Bedard on injured reserve over the weekend.
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The Chicago Bulls had a big fourth quarter to take down the Charlotte Hornets 104-91 at United Center on Friday. Chicago had a five-point lead heading into the final frame, and the Bulls outscored Charlotte 30-22 in the fourth. Coby White led the way with 22 points in the win, and DeMar DeRozan finished with 17. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 16-and-21. The Bulls visit Charlotte tonight.
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The number-eight Illinois Fighting Illini couldn’t complete their comeback bid during an 83-78 loss to number-one Purdue at Mackey Arena on Friday. Illinois trailed by 21 points in the second half before cutting the deficit to three. However, Purdue was able to pull away from there. Marcus Domask had 26 points in the losing effort, and Quincy Guerrier had 18 points and 10 boards. Illinois dropped to 11-and-3 overall and 2-and-1 in the Big Ten. The Illini host Michigan State on Thursday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats had a dominant first half during their 88-74 win over the Michigan State Spartans at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Northwestern led 46-31 at halftime and kept Michigan State at arm’s length the rest of the way. Ty Berry had 22 points in the victory, and Boo Buie chipped in with 19. The Wildcats improved to 11-and-3 overall and 2-and-1 in the Big Ten. Northwestern visits Penn State on Wednesday.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish blew an early nine-point lead during a 67-59 loss to number-13 Duke at Joyce Center on Saturday. Notre Dame held the nine-point lead in the middle of the first half before the Blue Devils took control. Markus Burton had 18 points in the losing effort. The Irish are 6-and-9 overall and 1-and-3 in the ACC. Notre Dame is at Georgia Tech tomorrow night.
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In other college basketball action over the weekend, Northern Illinois went down against Ohio 78-66