Thursday night shortly after 10:00, Mendota Police arrested 46-year-old Debra M. McKinney in the 1400 block of East 12th Street on several charges. The Kalamazoo, Michigan woman was placed under arrest on a Lee County failure to appear to warrant for contempt of court and a Kalamazoo County, Michigan, warrant for failure to appear for simple assault. McKinney was taken to the LaSalle County Jail to await transfer to Lee County and Kalamazoo, Michigan.
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Investigators in LaSalle believe they have identified one of the individuals responsible for the shooting incident that occurred three years ago, leaving a residence riddled with bullets. 22-year-old Mauricio Carreon of Spring Valley was indicted Tuesday on two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Carreon, along with a 17-year-old accomplice at the time, is alleged to have fired over a dozen shots into a home located in the 700 block of 8th Street in La Salle on the morning of January 10th, 2021. Although the case initially went cold and the investigation was halted, a renewed effort by a different detective last year uncovered fresh evidence, leads, and witnesses. Following the charges, Carreon has been served a notice to appear in court. The second shooter, now 21 years old and residing outside the Illinois Valley, will not face charges due to state limitations.
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Beware of tax scams, warns State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, as the 2024 filing season commences. A prevalent scam involves a deceptive letter in a cardboard envelope, bearing an IRS letterhead and mentioning an “unclaimed refund.” This fraudulent communication may request sensitive personal information, like a photo of a driver’s license or Social Security number. It’s crucial to note that the provided contact information does not belong to the IRS. Additionally, recent immigrants are often targeted by telephone scammers who threaten arrest or deportation unless payment, typically in the form of a gift card or wire transfer, is sent. Illinois residents have also faced deceitful unemployment claims, with legitimate 1099-G forms sent only to those who have claimed unemployment. Stay vigilant against these fraudulent schemes.
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United Way of Eastern LaSalle County has allocated $73,000 in funding grants from the 2022 fall campaign. Executive Director Sally Honiotes says the funds will be designated for diverse local programs and initiatives that target specific needs in the areas of education, health, and financial stability. Recipients of the Community Investment funding grants are A Servant’s Heart, a community soup kitchen; Center for Youth & Family Solutions, counseling services; Community Food Basket, milk fund; Educate 35, in support of “Care Closet” for disadvantaged students; Prairie State Legal Services, civil legal services; Safe Journeys, domestic violence services and sexual assault services; Voluntary Action Center, Meals on Wheels; Youth Service Bureau of Illinois Valley, homeless youth prevention program and runaway and homeless youth program. , the inaugural cohort of Facility Therapy Dogs donated through the United Way of Eastern La Salle County Paw Pals initiative to benefit the Ottawa Elementary and Marseilles Elementary school districts, has completed its training. After an 18-month program, they aced their final test and earned the title of Certified Facility Therapy Dogs. All four pups excelled in their last examination on January 31st and officially graduated as Facility Therapy Dogs. The dogs are now poised to offer support to students and staff throughout their respective school buildings.
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Ottawa Friendship House recently received a donation of $8,182 from the Knights of Columbus. This contribution is part of a decade-long tradition, with this year’s donation bringing the total support from the Knights of Columbus to nearly $100,000. Friendship’s Executive Director Tony Barrett says the impact of sustained donations over the years has helped maintain diverse programs such as day programming, workshops, community integration initiatives, and employment opportunities.
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The Peru Fire Department achieved unprecedented success in the past year, setting new records for their response efforts. With a total of 516 calls addressed, surpassing any previous year, the department witnessed a remarkable 74 percent surge in call volume compared to a decade ago. Notably, accidents constituted the majority of calls, accounting for 131 crash incidents in 2023. Additionally, the department handled over 30 fire-related calls, addressing various scenarios such as brush and vehicle fires, as well as structural fires. Furthermore, they received nearly a dozen requests for drone searches, showcasing their diverse range of services and commitment to community safety.
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Mendota’s rich history is expanding beyond the confines of three buildings, prompting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society to acquire the historic Walter Brothers and Pella building. This move addresses society’s need for more space, as it has outgrown its current office and archival areas at the Hume-Carnegie Museum. Additional showcases of Mendota’s history are already housed at the Union Depot and the Breaking the Prairie glass barn, all located in downtown Mendota. Volunteers skilled in carpentry are invited to assist in preparing the new space on February 3rd and 10th. The society is also seeking photos of the Walter/Pella building and welcomes support through their Facebook page.
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The Illinois Department of Insurance is revealing record-high final enrollment numbers for the 2024 Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. Data says nearly 399-thousand Illinoisans enrolled in ACA Marketplace plans during Open Enrollment from November 1st through January 16th. Nationally, the total number of people who signed up for ACA Marketplace coverage topped 21 million.
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A 43-year-old LaSalle man may potentially face a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison if found guilty of charges stemming from a gun and drug seizure in Streator on Tuesday. During a detention hearing in La Salle County Circuit Court, Nathan C. Price, along with Public Defender Ryan Hamer, requested and was granted a week to prepare arguments against pre-trial detention. The hearing, scheduled for Feb. 8, was approved by Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia. Meanwhile, Price will remain in La Salle County Jail. The charges, including armed violence and armed habitual criminal, are based on a traffic stop where a K-9 unit detected narcotics, leading to the discovery of both powder and rock cocaine, as well as a .22-caliber pistol in Price’s possession. Back-to-back prison terms may be possible if Price is convicted on both possession and armed violence counts.
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55-year-old Billy Raye Tillotson of Bureau was in Bureau County Court Wednesday and received a 4-year prison sentence for violating probation conditions. Admitting to missing appointments and neglecting anger management and substance abuse evaluations, Tillotson will have approximately 6 months deducted for time served in jail. In July 2022, he was granted probation after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for unintentionally causing Tyson McCann’s death in early 2022 by placing him in a chokehold. Tillotson’s extensive criminal record includes a recent misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals in the previous year.
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43-year-old Marc N. Rowley of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police at Wal-Mart on a charge of retail theft and four failure to appear outstanding warrants. He was released with a notice to appear in court.
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Two more Illinois residents are accused of entering the U.S. Capitol during the January 6th riot in 2021. Kelly Lynn Fontaine and Brian Dula of Lockport face multiple charges, including knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority. Prosecutors claim Fontaine took a photograph as protesters entered the Capitol through a door that had been forced open before she and Dula entered the Capitol through the same door. They spent more than ten minutes inside the building
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WEATHER:
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 44. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low of around 29. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 46. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low of around 30. East wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. East-northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low of around 29.
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OBITUARIES:
Brendin H. Miskell, 39, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 21st, A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the American Legion in Ottawa. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Nancy Faye (Zeber) Knoll “Oma”, 77, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, January 28th, at her home surrounded by her family. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 4th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from noon until the service at the funeral home.
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William “Bill” Ganiere, 70, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, January 26th, at Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 7th, at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Private burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. There will be a celebration of life at Splash & Go at a date to be announced.
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Thomas Moore, 53, of Marseilles, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 30th, at his home. A celebration of life will be held on March 2nd, from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the American Legion in Marseilles. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us for two great broadcasts on Saturday. The first game has your Marquette Lady Cru taking on Serena. The tip-off is at 2:30 with Andrew Evola and David Bergeson on the call. Then come back at 6 pm for Ottawa Pirates Boys Basketball as they take on the tough Streator Bulldogs. Bryer Lehr and David Bergeson will have the call for this game.
Boys basketball
Earlville 71, Hinckley-Big Rock 65 (2 OT): At the 105th Little Ten Conference Tournament held at Somonauk, the No. 2-seeded Red Raiders trailed the No. 3 Royals 20-10 after the opening eight minutes of the semifinal on Thursday.
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Serena 57, Somonauk 40: At the 105th Little Ten Conference Tournament held at Somonauk, the top-seeded and defending champion Huskers led 17-11 after one quarter, 35-22 at halftime, and 52-29 heading to the fourth in the semifinal win over the No. 5-seeded Bobcats.
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Newark 63, IMSA 34: At the 105th Little Ten Conference Tournament held at Somonauk, the No. 7-seeded Norsemen topped the No. 6 Titans to advance to Friday’s 5 p.m. consolation final against No. 4 Indian Creek.
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Sandwich 61, Harvard 42: At Sandwich on Wednesday, the Indians improved to 12-10 overall and 6-3 in Kishwaukee River Conference play with the victory over the Hornets.
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Girls basketball
Lisle 53, Streator 17: At Lisle, the Bulldogs (1-26, 0-13) fell in the Illinois Central Eight Conference game to the Lions.
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Sycamore 46, LPHS 29: Sycamore girls basketball team beat La Salle-Peru 46-29 on Thursday.
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St Bede 57, Midland 33: Ali Bosnich and Ella Hermes scored 13 points each as the Bruins won a Tri-County Conference game in Varna.
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Marquette 49, Roanoke-Benson 39: At Roanoke, the Crusaders improved to 17-8 overall and 10-3 in the Tri-County Conference with the win over the Rockets.
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Hall 56, Kewanee 35: Ella Sterling scored 20 points to lead the Red Devils to a Three Rivers Conference East Division victory in Kewanee.
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Seneca 46, Dwight 38: At Dwight, the Fighting Irish led 24-10 at halftime, but just 30-26 heading to the fourth quarter in their T-CC victory over the Trojans.
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Mendota 42, Somonauk-Leland 38: At Mendota, the Bobcats fell just short on the road to the Trojans.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
Six pairs of gym shoes worn by NBA and Bulls icon Michael Jordan during championship-clinching games will be up for auction. They are expected to go for ten million dollars. All of the shoes are signed by Jordan. The auction is today and will be conducted by the fine arts and collectibles company Sotheby’s
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The Bulls will try to get a winning streak going when they host the Sacramento Kings at United Center tomorrow night. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 23-and-26.
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The number-14 Illinois Fighting Illini go for their third win in a row when they host Nebraska at State Farm Center on Sunday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats look to get back in the win column when they visit the Minnesota Gophers at Williams Arena tomorrow. Northwestern is in fourth place in the Big Ten with a 6-and-4 conference record and a 15-and-6 mark overall.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish aim to avoid a sixth loss in a row when they visit Pitt at Petersen Events Center tomorrow night. Notre Dame is in 14th place in the ACC with a 2-and-8 conference record and a 7-and-14 mark overall.
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IVCC 103, Benedictine JV 86: Kamarr Evans scored 23 points to help the Eagles to a nonconference victory in Oglesby.