Weather permitting, the 200 block of West Main Street between LaSalle and Clinton Streets will be closed to eastbound traffic and on-street parking beginning at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow. Contractors will be setting steel for the new building to be constructed at 205-207 West Main Street. The Eastbound lane will be opened to thru traffic after 4 p.m. but closed again on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. The work is expected to be completed on Wednesday, February 7th, and the block re-opened by 4 p.m.
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IDOT PROTECH Members are presently in the process of voting to authorize a strike in anticipation of an upcoming strike vote. Voting, facilitated through email, is set to conclude today. On Wednesday, February 7th, at noon, IDOT workers intend to address the strike votes during a lunchtime meeting with senior union members at the IDOT D3 HQ building in Ottawa. Following this meeting, members will gather outside once again for picketing. The ongoing issues revolve around the absence of a union contract and the demand for fair livable wages for IDOT D3 State employees.
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As temperatures rise, seasonal respiratory illnesses are on the decline in tandem. According to the latest CDC data, the Illinois Department of Public Health notes a shift in the state’s respiratory illness level from low to minimal. Additionally, COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state are currently at a low level, as reported by the CDC COVID Data Tracker on January 27. Among the counties, ten register a medium level for COVID-19 hospitalizations, indicating more than 10 hospitalizations per 100,000 of the population. Notably, Carroll and Whiteside counties stand out as the only two within the top 4/5 of the state to exhibit a medium level of COVID-19 hospitalizations.
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The 1099-G tax forms are now available for claimants in Illinois who received unemployment insurance benefits in 2023. Claimants who collected UI benefits last year need the 1099-G tax form to complete their state and federal tax returns. Those who opted to receive their 1099-G tax form electronically have received an email notification with instructions to access the form from their Illinois Department of Employment Security account.
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A home on the far east side of Mark was damaged in an early Sunday fire. Firefighters from Hennepin extinguished the flames within thirty minutes, confining the fire damage to the attic. The homeowner, awakened by a “popping” noise, detected the smell of smoke and promptly dialed 9-1-1. The incident is attributed to an accidental cause related to a wood-burning stove. Firemen noted the home did not have smoke detectors.
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A La Salle resident, who already faced burglary charges from the previous summer, now confronts additional legal trouble stemming from an autumn incident. On October 19, La Salle police were dispatched to the 200 block of Lafayette following a report of a gunshot. Subsequently, officers discovered a 25-year-old man in a nearby residence with a gunshot wound to his arm. An investigation revealed that 29-year-old Larry Kelly of La Salle and 34-year-old Michael Wilson of Oglesby are suspected of being responsible for the shooting. Both are charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. Furthermore, Wilson faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm without a FOID card and is currently wanted on a La Salle County arrest warrant. While Kelly was issued a notice to appear, he also faces residential burglary charges from an incident in July and additional charges of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon dating back to October 2022.
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24-year-old Ryan Newell of Ottawa faces charges of retail theft, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, and driving on a suspended license along with other counts. Newell was arrested by Ottawa Police Sunday in a northwest Ottawa trailer park.
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Streator Police charged 31-year-old Ashley Moats of Streator Sunday with trespassing. She was released with a court date.
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On Saturday, Mendota Police arrested 34-year-old Jason A. Henry of Triumph at 8th Street and 5th Avenue for driving on a suspended license. He was released with a court date.
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39-year-old Arturo Hermosillo of Mendota has a charge of domestic battery after his arrest Sunday night at 111 South 13th Avenue. Mendota Police took Hermosillo to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A Marseilles woman is charged by Ottawa Police with driving on a suspended license. 32-year-old Jennifer A. Jackson was stopped Saturday in the 800 block of West Norris Drive.
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47-year-old Kenneth D. Freund of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police Friday in the 1800 block of Seneca Drive and cited for driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
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36-year-old Derrold L. Bennett the Third was picked up by Streator Police Sunday on a failure to appear warrant on a driving under the influence charge. Bennett was taken to the LaSalle County jail.
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A Joliet man was stopped by Ottawa Police Friday at Reynolds Manor Drive and Columbus Street. 56-year-old Robert L. Johnson is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, driving on a revoked license, and a Will County outstanding warrant on failure to appear in court on a charge of retail theft.
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An Indianapolis, Indiana, man has several charges from Ottawa Police after a traffic stop in the 1900 block of Columbus Street Sunday. Jacob R. Simons has two charges of driving under the influence, speeding, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and improper lane usage.
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The completion of the new Ottawa YMCA is being accelerated with a significant contribution from the renowned auto dealer, Bill Walsh Automotive Group. In a gesture of unwavering support, the group has generously donated $100,000 towards the final stages of the facility’s construction along the riverfront. The donation, made in honor of Bill Walsh, Sr., Phyllis Walsh, and Bill Walsh, Jr., reflects the family’s enduring commitment to the YMCA and its youth programs. As a tribute, a forthcoming preschool classroom within the expansive 67,000-square-foot structure, with a total cost of $27.5 million, will bear the name of the Walsh family.
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The Junior High Music Festival, organized by the La Salle-Peru High School Music Program, is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7th, in the Sellett Gymnasium. Participating in this event will be the talented bands and choirs from Dimmick, La Salle Lincoln, Oglesby Washington, Peru Parkside, Tonica, and Waltham schools, in addition to the esteemed La Salle-Peru High School.
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The La Salle County YANA! (You Are Not Alone) group, a non-partisan community organization, has generously contributed over 30 brand-new coats, gloves, and hats to the Youth Service Bureau of La Salle County, aiming to provide essential warmth to local children during the winter. YANA! Chairwoman Beth Findley Smith commended the impactful efforts of the YSB in supporting the area’s children. In a news release, Findley Smith expressed pride in collaborating with YSB, emphasizing their crucial role in the community. YANA!, committed to promoting education and fostering civic engagement, sees the donation as a reflection of their dedication to creating a caring and engaged community that transcends political affiliations for the greater good. YANA! welcomes all community members to their regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month at Jamie’s Outpost in Utica.
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Saturday Night Live is making fun of Chicago for passing a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. During SNL’s Weekend Update segment Saturday, Michael Che joked “Chicago became the largest US city to call for a cease-fire in Gaza…And in return, Gaza called for a ceasefire in Chicago.” The City Council approved the controversial resolution last week when Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the tie-breaking vote following a heated debate
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WEATHER:
Monday
Patchy fog before 11 am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Monday Night
Patchy fog after 10 pm. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low of around 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Albert “Doc” William Hettel Jr., 77, of Marseilles, passed away Thursday, February 1st, surrounded by his loving family. A rosary will be said today at 3:30 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A visitation will follow from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place tomorrow at 10:30 am, at St. Joseph Church in Marseilles, with Fr. Sixmund Henry officiating. The burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery.
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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:
Boys basketball
Streator 53, Ottawa 45: Streator held off Ottawa at Kingman Gym on Saturday 53-45.
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Marquette 60, Putnam County 44: At R.M. Germano Gym in Granville, the visiting Crusaders scored the Tri-County Conference victory over the Panthers.
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St. Bede 55, Amboy 41: the Bruins get a nonconference victory in Peru.
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Girls basketball
Serena 50, Marquette 48: At Bader Gym, the host Crusaders put up a heck of a fight against the three-loss Huskers
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St. Bede 48, Putnam County 29: the Bruins get a Tri-County Conference victory in Peru.
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La Salle-Peru 51, Midland 34: the Cavaliers got a nonconference victory in La Salle
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Boys wrestling
Marquette placed third as a team and is advancing five individuals to Byron, including regional champion Beau Thompson (126 pounds), who went 2-0 with a pair of pinfall victories.
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Girls bowling
Michael advances for Streator: At the Danville Regional held at Lincoln Lanes, the Bowlin’ Bulldogs placed sixth with a team sophomore Lily Michael moving on to next Saturday’s Joliet West Sectional at Town & Country Lanes.
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Dhuse, Hudkins move on for Ottawa: At the Sterling Regional contested at Blackhawk Lanes, the Pirates placed sixth in the team standings and advanced a pair of rollers to next Saturday’s Sycamore Sectional at Mardi Gras Lanes. Ottawa sophomore Lindy Dhuse and senior Dawn Hudkins cut the Pirates.
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At Sterling: La Salle-Peru won the Sterling Regional at Paone’s Blackhawk Lanes. It is the second straight regional title for the Cavaliers, who advance to the Sycamore Sectional next week with hopes of a third consecutive state berth.
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Middle School boys basketball
Marquette makes title game: At the IESA Class 7-1A State Tournament hosted by East Peoria Central Junior High, Marquette defeated previously unbeaten Cambridge and then Augusta Southeastern to move on to the IESA championship game Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. against West Lincoln-Broadwell.
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At East Peoria: Mendota Holy Cross lost 47-40 to Augusta Southeastern in an IESA Class 1A state quarterfinal.
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At Macon: Oglesby Washington advanced to the Class 2A state championship game with a pair of wins Saturday. The Bulldogs beat Sidell Salt Fork 30-24 in the quarterfinal before edging Burr Ridge 31-30 in the semifinal. They go for the title game Thursday against Effingham St. Anthony.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls nearly pulled off a stunning comeback during a 123-115 loss to the Sacramento Kings at United Center on Saturday. The Bulls host the Timberwolves tomorrow night.
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The Bulls are preparing to be without one of their star players for the remainder of the season. Chicago guard Zach LaVine is set to miss four months following surgery on his foot next week.
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The White Sox spent the weekend wheeling and dealing. The club traded pitching prospect Christian Mena to the Arizona Diamondbacks in return for outfielder Dominic Fletcher. Additionally, the Southsiders sent pitcher Gregory Santos to Seattle and received pitching prospect Prelander Berroa, and outfielder prospect Zach DeLoach.
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The number-14 Illinois Fighting Illini escaped with a close 87-84 overtime victory over the Nebraska Cornhuskers at State Farm Center. The Illini are at Michigan State on Saturday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats struggled during overtime during a 75-66 loss to the Minnesota Gophers at Williams Arena on Saturday. The Wildcats host Nebraska on Wednesday.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are on a six-game losing streak following a 70-60 loss to Pitt at Petersen Events Center on Saturday. They visit number seven Duke on Wednesday.
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IVCC 80, Bryant and Stratton 76: Wade Sims scored 26 points to lead the Eagles to a nonconference victory in Oglesby.