At 6:38 a.m. on Saturday, January 20th, the Ottawa Fire Department responded to a call about a house filled with smoke. The first crew arrived swiftly at the 2-story house by 6:41 am, encountering a visible fire on the northwest corner. Promptly taking action, the crews extinguished the flames in that room, while a second crew entered the front with a hose line to prevent the fire spread to the second story. Fortunately, all occupants had evacuated before the firefighters’ arrival, and no one was harmed. By 6:46 a.m., the situation was under control, and firefighters continued salvage, overhaul, and investigation tasks. The fire’s origin was the entry/mud room, caused accidentally by a space heater and power strip. The Ottawa Fire Department received assistance from various departments and organizations in managing the incident.
In related news, Various fire departments, including Leland, Earlville, Somonauk, Sandwich, Shabbona, and Little Rock Fox, responded to a full-involved apartment building fire on Railroad Avenue in LeLand early on Saturday morning. The Illinois State Fire Marshal and La Salle County Sheriff’s Office also assisted. The fire is currently under investigation, and no official cause has been released all residents were able to get out of the building safely.
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Jennifer N. Leonard, 53, of Ottawa, received a sentence of 48 months of probation and time served for driving intoxicated and crashing into Ottawa High School. Despite opposition from prosecutors, Leonard secured TASC probation, allowing the possibility of expunging the conviction from her record. She will also retain her driver’s license. Leonard expressed remorse during the sentencing, stating her commitment to mental health treatment and striving to be a productive member of society. The incident, occurring during a contentious divorce, caused significant damage to the school. While facing potential prison time, Leonard’s lack of criminal history led to a focus on probation, with a judge emphasizing rehabilitation and mental health considerations. The judge also opted not to revoke Leonard’s license. Any probation violations could result in a petition to revoke probation and seek imprisonment, according to La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro. Leonard’s future, as Navarro noted, is now in her hands.
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A resident of Streator was hospitalized as a precautionary measure on Thursday after a stove ignited a fire at a residence located at 16 Sunbury Drive. According to a news release from the fire department, the damage to the home was minimal, primarily confined to the stove/oven area, and the incident was deemed accidental. The fire department credited the swift notification and prompt response for limiting the extent of the damage. Responding within approximately 3 minutes of the 2:06 p.m. call, firefighters successfully evacuated the resident from the smoke-filled premises before swiftly controlling the fire in less than 5 minutes. The Streator Fire Department received support from Vermilion Valley Dispatch, Streator Animal Control, and the Streator Police Department during the incident.
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As part of a federally funded program, two local charging stations are set to undergo repairs or replacements. The Illinois Department of Transportation revealed on Friday that Sierra Motors in Ottawa and La Salle City Hall will benefit from these upgrades. The initiative aims to address Level 2 and Direct Current ports statewide, with the work encompassing repair, replacement, or enhancement. Sierra Motors utilizes a Chargepoint system, while La Salle City Hall is integrated into the Blink network. There’s potential for funds to be released in the first quarter of 2024. Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman emphasized Governor Pritzker’s commitment to modernizing transportation and promoting eco-friendly practices, citing the award as a significant stride in that direction.
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A Sterling man, Joshua Muntean, faces the possibility of a 14-year prison term if found guilty of driving under the influence in a crash that claimed the life of a Leland woman on Interstate 80 last summer. Muntean, 48, was charged in La Salle County Circuit Court with aggravated DUI, a Class 2 felony with a sentencing range of three to 14 years and limited probation prospects. Additionally, he faces a Class 4 felony for operating a commercial motor vehicle under the influence, carrying a one- to three-year sentence. The updated filing alleges that Muntean, driving a Mack truck, was under the influence of drugs on August 18 near Marseilles. The crash resulted in the death of Joyce A. Riskedal, 54, of Leland, whose SUV collided with Muntean’s semitrailer and another vehicle before overturning. The felony charge was filed approximately five months after the incident, reflecting the typical timeline for drug-related fatalities due to waiting for accident reconstructions and drug test results. Muntean is scheduled to appear before La Salle County Circuit Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia on February 5. As of Friday, no petition had been filed seeking Muntean’s detention in the La Salle County Jail, and no attorney had entered an appearance on his behalf. When reached by telephone on Friday, Muntean stated that he had been in contact with attorneys but had no further comment.
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Construction on U.S. 6 from the Little Vermilion River to the Bureau County line is set to begin this summer, with an estimated project cost of $5.6 million, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The work in La Salle and Peru is scheduled to be completed during the 2024 and 2025 construction seasons. IDOT’s public information officer, Paul Wappel, mentioned that the work, including resurfacing, traffic signal upgrades, and ADA ramp upgrades, will not happen all at once, and the specific schedule will be determined by the contractor. Traffic impacts are expected, with delays similar to other resurfacing projects. Peru City Council has approved funds for the project, with the city responsible for resurfacing certain areas owned by the city. The estimated cost of the city’s portion is $237,000, with significant expenditures anticipated in Fiscal Year 2025 or 2026. The project qualifies for various funding sources, and the council’s appropriation of funds is needed before IDOT’s bid lets in March. La Salle City Engineer Brian Brown noted that construction will cover U.S. 6 in La Salle, excluding Joliet Street, and the city has approved $32,000 for the project, including traffic signal upgrades at specific intersections.
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On Friday morning, fire and EMS teams from La Salle, Peru, and Utica hurried to a residence in La Salle, close to Creve Coeur and O’Conor, anticipating a garage fire. However, upon arrival, they discovered a different scenario. Officials reported that hay bales near a shed had ignited due to a heat lamp. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and no significant damage occurred to structures, with only a portion of a vinyl fence being affected.
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The Salvation Army was recently presented with a $600 check by the Rotary Club of Ottawa Sunrise. The funds are earmarked for supporting food resources. This collaboration is an annual tradition during the Christmas season, where Sunrise Rotary teams up with the Salvation Army to gather toys and books. In 2023, the collective effort resulted in the collection of 1334 toys and 180 books, accompanied by a generous donation exceeding $500, which will be utilized to acquire additional items as required.
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Over the past week, respiratory illness in Illinois has seen a decline, although more than half of the counties still face elevated levels of COVID-19 hospitalizations, as reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health. According to the CDC’s latest update, Illinois maintains a “Medium” level for COVID-19 hospitalizations for the fourth consecutive week, with 1,393 hospitalizations reported in the week ending January 13. Of the 54 counties with elevated levels, 50 are at a Medium level, down from 57 the previous week, and four are at a high level, down from seven. Locally, several counties are at medium risk, and only 24% of Illinois adults are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination. Additionally, IDPH has confirmed a third pediatric death due to influenza this week, all with December onsets. Despite the overall decline, IDPH emphasizes the importance of seeking timely treatment for respiratory symptoms and encourages testing, with free at-home tests available to every U.S. household through COVID.gov. Specialized triple-tests for Flu/RSV and COVID-19 are also provided at no cost to high-risk congregate care settings and local health departments by IDPH.
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The U.S. Department of Labor currently holds over $5 million in wages owed to more than 7,000 Illinois workers. To return these funds, the department has launched the Workers Owed Wages website. When the Wage and Hour Division of the DOL investigates underpaid employees and determines they are owed back pay, the department collects the unpaid wages. The new website aims to connect workers with potential unclaimed back pay, especially for those who may have moved or have unknown addresses. The DOL can only retain employees’ back pay for three years before transferring it to the Department of Treasury. Workers can check the WOW system to see if they are owed money, with over 222,000 workers across the country still able to claim more than $161.4 million in back wages. The most common industries investigated for unpaid wages include restaurants, home health care, agriculture, and construction. The Workers Owed Wages website is available in English and Spanish, and employees can claim wages regardless of their immigration status.
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A preliminary hearing date is set for the case of suspended Illinois men’s basketball player Terrence Shannon. The Illini star was suspended indefinitely from all team activities last month after being arrested on a rape charge. The Chicago native was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in September while attending an Illinois football game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Shannon made his first appearance yesterday via Zoom at Douglas County District Court in Kansas. The preliminary hearing was scheduled for February 23rd.
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Ricky Tanner, a 39-year-old convicted felon, was apprehended on a failure-to-appear warrant related to a recent felony possession of a stolen vehicle case. His history in La Salle County involves prison sentences for offenses such as aggravated robbery, burglary, and residential burglary. Notably, he recently served time for robbing a cell phone store in Ottawa.
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Thomas J. Higgins, 45, of Ottawa, will remain in La Salle County Jail until his trial on Feb. 26 after being charged in connection with the discovery of two stash houses containing drugs and guns. During a detention hearing in La Salle County Circuit Court, prosecutors aimed to have him held on four felonies, including armed violence, which carries a sentence of 15 to 30 years in prison. The charges stem from a December 4 incident when a confidential source informed drug enforcement agents that Higgins, a convicted felon, possessed an assault weapon and drugs. Despite arguments against detention, Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. ordered Higgins held, citing strong evidence.
In a related case, Brennen Lee Jorgenson, 27, of Marseilles, faces charges connected to the same investigation. Jorgenson was ordered detained at a previous hearing on April 8. Although the cases are officially separate, an undercover TRI-DENT agent revealed in court that the Higgins investigation led to the discovery of a “stash house” in Marseilles, identified as Jorgenson’s residence.
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Illinois’ unemployment rate is up. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s jobless rate increased by point-one percent last month to four-point-eight percent. Non-farm payroll jobs increased by 12 hundred in December.
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Two men are dead following a crash at the I-39 exit ramp on I-90. The Winnebago County Coroner’s Office said a UPS semi-truck hit a concrete barrier Friday morning at the southbound exit ramp, causing the truck to tip over and catch fire. The two men were found inside the burning truck. An autopsy for both victims is set for today.
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WEATHER:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON TODAY…
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM TUESDAY…
* WHAT…For the first Winter Weather Advisory, a wintry mix with
slippery travel and a glaze of ice is expected. For the second
Winter Weather Advisory, a wintry mix including freezing rain
with hazardous travel conditions expected. During the second
Winter Weather Advisory, total ice accumulations of up to one-quarter of an inch, and combined snow and sleet accumulations of
up to one-half inch are expected.
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Monday
Snow and freezing rain are likely before 9 am, then a chance of freezing rain and sleet between 9 am and noon, then patchy freezing drizzle after noon. Cloudy, with a high near 32. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no ice accumulation is expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.
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Monday Night
A chance of rain or freezing rain before 8 pm, then freezing rain. Low around 31. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east-southeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch is possible.
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OBITUARIES:
Janis Walker, 75, of Ottawa, IL, passed away peacefully on January 19th. Visitation will be at Ottawa Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 23rd from 4 PM-6 PM. The funeral will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on Wednesday the 24th at 10 AM with Pastor David Daniel officiating. Ottawa Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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William F. (Bill) Kasten, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri born in Ottawa. Passed away on Friday, December 22nd, at St. Anthony’s Senior Living in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 27th at St. Patrick’s Church in Seneca from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois at a later date. Ottawa Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Ottawa Dolphins Place 2nd at Kishwaukee Y Meet
The Ottawa Dolphins had 34 swimmers participate.
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Boys basketball
Marquette 57, Somonauk 41: At Bader Gym, the Bobcats lost to the Crusaders.
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Serena 90, Hiawatha 46: At Serena, the Huskers improved to 18-1 overall and 6-0 in Little Ten Conference play with the win over the Hawks.
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Streator 91, Rochelle 77: The Streator beat Rochelle at Pops Dale Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
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St. Bede 39, Henry-Senachwine 35: Bruins got a victory over No. 8 Mallards in a Tri-County Conference Tournament play-in game in Henry.
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Mendota 63, Amboy 48: The Trojans rolled to a nonconference victory in Amboy.
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Moline 76, La Salle-Peru 50: The Cavaliers lost a nonconference game in Moline.
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Girls basketball
Washington 57, Ottawa 31: At Washington, the Pirates fell on the road to the AP Class 3A No. 5-ranked Panthers to fall to 12-9 on the season.
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Boys wrestling
Seneca wins championship at Rochester: At the Rochester Rocket Invitational on Saturday, the Fighting Irish — led by five individual champions — captured the team title.
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Streator third at ICE Tourney: At the Illinois Central Eight Tournament in Coal City, the Bulldogs placed third as a team.
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Girls wrestling
Ottawa second at I-8 Tournament: At the first-ever Interstate 8 Conference Tournament in Rochelle, the Pirates finished runners-up.
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At Rochelle: La Salle-Peru placed fourth in the girl’s Interstate 8 Conference Tournament.
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BOYS BOWLING
At Rockford: Mendota senior Landon Bauer placed fourth individually at the Rockford Jefferson Sectional at Don Carter Lanes to earn a return trip to the IHSA state tournament.
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BOYS SWIMMING
At Palos Heights: The La Salle-Peru co-op had nine top-five finishes at the Sheppard Invite.
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Competitive Dance/Pom’s
At Minonk on Saturday, a pair of local competitive dance teams advanced out of the Fieldcrest Sectional and into the IHSA State Final Competition scheduled to be held at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
In Class 2A, the Ottawa Pirate Poms got third place in the field of 13.
In Class 1A, the Streator High Streatorettes earned a runner-up finish,
The top six teams in each class advanced out of the Fieldcrest Sectional and on to the IHSA State Final Competition.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls dominated in all four quarters of their 125-96 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at United Center on Saturday. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 21-and-23. The Bulls visit Phoenix tonight.
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The Blackhawks avoided disaster by beating the New York Islanders 4-3 in OT at United Center on Friday. The Hawks are in last place in the Central Division with 30 points and a 14-30-and-2 record. Chicago visits Vancouver tonight.
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The number-14 Illinois Fighting Illini are on a two-game winning streak following an 86-63 win over Rutgers at State Farm Center. The Illini are at Northwestern on Wednesday. In other program news, the Illini reinstated Terrence Shannon Jr., who was suspended by the team in December due to ongoing rape charges.
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The Northwestern Wildcats couldn’t keep pace with the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the end of their 75-69 loss at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Saturday. Northwestern is 13-and-5 overall and 4-and-3 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats host number 13 Illinois on Wednesday.