On Monday, a persistent fire north of Lostant engaged the efforts of twenty-three fire and ambulance departments. Fire Chief Andy Forrest reported that the emergency response began just after noon at LSC Environmental Services, located 1 ½ miles outside the town. En route to the scene, firefighters witnessed thick black smoke, prompting Lostant to escalate the situation to a third alarm and subsequently to a fifth alarm. Although the fire was discovered by employees, their attempts to extinguish it were unsuccessful. Fortunately, all personnel evacuated the structure before the firefighters’ arrival. The blaze destroyed the east side of the building, leading to the deployment of additional lighting due to the onset of darkness. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the Illinois State Fire Marshal will collaborate in determining the fire’s cause. The news release did not specify the presence of numerous propane, oil, and kerosene tanks in a nearby warehouse, as reported. Adding to the challenges, a water main break in Lostant depleted the village’s water supply, prompting Village President Jack Immel to advise residents to boil their water once it is restored.
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La Salle residents dealing with discolored water received encouraging news during Monday’s City Council meeting. Vissering Construction, the company overseeing the water treatment plant filter project, assured the Council that they anticipate completion by February. Despite starting the work in early December, the increased load on the plant’s other filter has led to higher levels of iron and manganese in the water. Brent Bader shared that the city has been testing the water daily since the project’s initiation, and despite its appearance, it consistently meets IEPA standards. Mayor Jeff Grove emphasized the importance of maintaining progress in the project.
In other updates, Aldermen approved a $559,000 contract with Otto-Baum of Morton for masonry work on city hall, and Ficek Electric secured a $137,000 contract for the exterior lighting job at city hall. A reported issue with the 24th and Chartres stoplight has been addressed, with the city monitoring the situation before considering further action.
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We have an update on a story we had yesterday morning. The tragic early morning fire in Leland on Saturday did result in the loss of a man’s life, as reported by Leland Fire Chief Don Hecathorn. The victim, the 60-year-old Jeffrey Hacker, resided in an apartment located above a former business in the 100 block of Railroad Street. Chief Hecathorn mentioned that the building suffered extensive damage, constituting a total loss, and the State Fire Marshal is set to conduct an investigation. The incident prompted an immediate response from Earlville, with four additional departments offering assistance starting at 3:45 am. Chief Hecathorn remained at the scene throughout the morning, and the identification of the deceased individual will be undertaken by County Coroner Rich Ploch.
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Vice President Kathy Ross presented architectural plans for the $7.8 million Agricultural Education Center to the Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees on Thursday. The 10,200 square-foot facility, featuring an innovation lab, conference room, classroom, lobby, student lounge, and courtyard, is set for bidding and construction contract award this spring. The college anticipates completion by August 2025, with President Tracy Morris noting it as a state-of-the-art addition to their agriculture program and campus.
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On Saturday, the Odd Fellow Lodge 41 in Ottawa marked a historic moment by installing its first female Noble Grand since its establishment in 1848. Carolyn Jackson was bestowed with this honor, expressing her gratitude in a Monday news release. Having dedicated nine years to the Odd Fellows and being active in fraternal organizations since childhood, she looks forward to continuing their benevolent efforts for the local community. Celebrating its 176th year in Ottawa, Lodge 41 is a non-political, non-sectarian organization open to all races and genders, with meetings held at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays at 1660 N. 2501st Road, welcoming the public to join.
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The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services recruiters will conduct a hiring workshop in Ottawa this Friday to provide details about available job opportunities. Career positions encompass roles such as child protection specialists, child welfare specialists, office associates, paralegal assistants, and daycare licensing representatives. The state is particularly interested in recruiting bilingual Spanish-speaking individuals, who may receive additional compensation. The DCFS employment workshop will take place from 10 AM to noon inside the South Towne Mall, located behind Kroger in Ottawa.
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In rural Ottawa, a tragic car fire claimed the life of 89-year-old Mary Friestad from Ottawa, according to the La Salle County Coroner’s Office. The cause of her death was determined to be smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide intoxication resulting from the Saturday car fire, which occurred along East 16th Road in northwest Ottawa.
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Last week, authorities apprehended Drew Lenhausen, 30, from Streator, on charges related to indecent solicitation of a minor and traveling with the intent to meet a minor. The allegations involve Lenhausen arranging a meeting with an individual under the age of 14 in the town of Forrest. Lenhausen is scheduled to appear in Livingston County court next month.
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Matthew Koenigs, a 25-year-old resident of Bradford, faced a judge in Ottawa on Monday in connection to a warrant for failure to appear in court. The charges against him involve felony home repair fraud. According to court records, Koenigs is accused of entering into a contract for home repairs with a victim in La Salle in 2022 but allegedly failed to fulfill the agreed-upon work, amounting to fraud exceeding $1,000. Koenigs has entered a plea of not guilty and is scheduled for a jury trial in April.
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On Saturday, two individuals from Ottawa, Kyle Prince, 23, and Malcolm Prince, 26, were issued citations for trespassing at the Zeller Inn located on Columbus Street. Kyle Prince has a history that involves a previous three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for mob action in Ottawa in 2021. Additionally, Malcolm Prince faces charges related to trespassing on the same day.
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A Joliet mother, Kadesha Clark, was arrested for leaving her two children inside a turned-off vehicle, which contained a loaded handgun, in freezing weather for approximately 45 minutes, according to Joliet police Sgt. Dwayne English. Officers responded to a report at Target and found a 2-year-old boy in the front seat with the window down and an 8-year-old boy on the floorboard. Despite the temperature being 9 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -10 degrees Fahrenheit, no adult was present with the children. Clark arrived later, claiming she thought the vehicle was running. She was taken into custody, and a loaded handgun was discovered in the vehicle. Clark, without the required licenses, now faces charges of endangering the life or health of a child and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. The children were placed in the care of other family members by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Clark was released with a notice to appear in court.
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The man wanted in the shooting deaths of eight people in the Joliet area is dead. Police say Romeo Nance shot seven people found dead in two homes yesterday in the 22-hundred block of West Acres Road. The discovery was made after investigators believe he shot and killed another man on Sunday in Will County. The suspect was located last night by US Marshals near Natalia, Texas, where he took his own life with a handgun following a confrontation with Texas law enforcement officials.
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31-year-old Kristen L. Wolgast of rural Serena was arrested by Ottawa Police Saturday in the 4100 block of Columbus Street on an out-of-state warrant as a fugitive from justice along with charges of driving on a suspended license and no registration.
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Streator Police picked up 45-year-old Tracy L. Cocream of Streator at Wilson and Vermillion Streets at about 2 p.m. Monday on a LaSalle County warrant. Cocream was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A 60-year-old Streator woman faces a charge of retail theft after being arrested in the 2400 block of North Bloomington Street Monday. Susan M. Sangston was released with a court date.
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31-year-old Jody R. Dixon of Streator was stopped by Streator Police in the 300 block of South Sterling at 1:45 Monday afternoon on a warrant out of Will County. Dixon was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Streator Police arrested Tavares M. Veazy just before 3:00 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of Criminal Trespass to State Supported Land. He was released with a court date.
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WEATHER:
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM
TUESDAY…
* WHAT…Periods of freezing rain. Additional ice accumulations up
to a quarter of an inch.
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Tuesday
Rain, mainly before noon. Patchy fog after 1 pm. High near 36. East-southeast winds around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain after 1 am. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low of around 33. Calm wind becoming east-northeast around 5 mph after midnight.
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OBITUARIES:
Janis Walker, 75, of Ottawa, IL, passed away peacefully on January 19th. Visitation will be at Ottawa Funeral Home today 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:
Join us on Wednesday night as we bring you Marquette Lady Cru basketball as they take on the LP Lady Cavs. Tip-off is set for 7 pm, with Andrew Evola and David Bergeson on the call.
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Boys Basketball:
Coal City at Streator 6:45
Mendota at Hall 7 pm
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Girls Basketball:
Ottawa at Rochelle 7 pm
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls laid an egg down the stretch during a 115-113 loss to the Suns in Phoenix. Chicago led by 23 points late in the third quarter before Phoenix stormed back. The two teams traded blows throughout the fourth quarter before Kevin Durant hit a go-ahead jumper with 1.6 seconds left in regulation. DeMar DeRozan missed a three at the buzzer to end the game. Coby White scored 26 points in the losing effort, and DeRozan finished with 21. Chicago remains in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 21-and-24. The Bulls visit the Lakers on Thursday night.
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The Blackhawks couldn’t get the puck past Thatcher Demko during a 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Hawks gave up two goals in the first period and weren’t able to come back despite out-shooting the Canucks during the game. Petr Mrazek stopped 27 shots in the losing effort. The Hawks remain in last place in the Central Division with 30 points and a 14-31-and-2 record. Chicago visits Seattle tomorrow.
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The Bears have found their new offensive coordinator. ESPN is reporting that the team hired Shane Waldron to call the plays on offense yesterday. The 44-year-old worked under Sean McVay with the Rams from 2017 until 2020, and he spent the last three seasons as Seattle’s offensive coordinator. Waldron replaces Luke Getsy, who was let go by the Bears earlier this month.
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A Chicago Cubs’ Hall of Famer has been diagnosed with cancer. Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg announced on social media that he has begun treatment after being diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. The 64-year-old was a 10-time All-Star during 15 seasons played with Chicago from 1982-to-1997. Sandberg totaled 282 home runs and 1,061 RBI during his career and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Following his retirement, Sandberg served as manager of the Philadelphia Phillies from 2013-to-2015.