One man is dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and a woman was injured with apparent gunshot wounds in an incident just before 5:00 Wednesday afternoon in Freedom Township. Emergency responders were dispatched east of Illinois 23 and south of U.S. 52 where they found the injured woman and deceased man. The woman was transported to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center for treatment. The incident is currently being investigated by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and the La Salle County Coroner’s Office. The identities of those involved are being withheld pending further investigation and notification of their families. The response efforts were supported by various agencies including the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency, Sheridan EMS, Serena Fire Department, and Utica Fire Department.
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Wednesday evening, Ottawa Police responded to a physical domestic battery call from 1449 Catherine Street where there was an alleged firearm displayed. 34-year-old Charletha Edwards was arrested on a domestic battery charge. Ottawa Police reportedly located a BB gun at the scene.
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A significant police presence was seen on East McKinley Road in the Kroger parking lot and at the Windsor Crossing apartment complex further east on McKinley Road before 9:00 pm Wednesday. Unconfirmed reports indicate a narcotics search may have been involved, but no official reports have emerged.
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The Ottawa Fire Department swiftly responded to a distress call reporting an apartment fire with an individual trapped inside at 601 LaSalle St yesterday morning. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a room and content fire on the second floor of the downtown building. Thanks to the recent installation of a sprinkler system, the fire had already been extinguished effectively, preventing its spread to adjacent units and ensuring the safety of the residents. Despite sustaining minor injuries, the resident was safely evacuated, receiving prompt medical attention at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital. The significance of the sprinkler system in averting a potential tragedy cannot be overstated. Following control of the incident, salvage operations were initiated to minimize additional property damage. The fire’s accidental origin, attributed to bedding material ignited by a nearby candle, did not result in further injuries.
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During Wednesday night’s session, the Marseilles City Council was informed about and expressed admiration for a proposal put forth by Dylan Trettenero, an Eagle Scout from Marseilles Troop 799. Trettenero intends to establish a dog park near the Illinois River boat launch, a project he aims to initiate this spring, weather permitting. Mayor Jim Hollenbeck extended the council’s support, offering city resources to aid in the endeavor. Additionally, Commissioner Jim Buckingham presented a $1,500 donation to the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall board in memory of Vickie Finan, a local advocate for veterans’ causes. The council also approved various measures, including payment of $20,900 to Hopkins and Associates of Granville for the audit for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a waiver for the St. Patrick’s Day parade fee, and a resolution for sidewalk funding. Furthermore, upcoming community events were announced, including a Valentine’s Day party, a chili fundraiser, and a Winter Dance, all contributing to the vibrant community life in Marseilles. We will talk to the mayor at 915 today.
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Residents of Streator and other areas served by Illinois American Water should brace themselves for an impending uptick in service costs as the company has submitted a rate increase proposal to the Illinois Commerce Commission. Should this proposal gain approval, residential subscribers can anticipate an approximate monthly hike of $24 in water bills, while wastewater charges are projected to rise by around $5 monthly. These elevated rates, slated for implementation in 2025, are aimed at facilitating over $550 million in investments toward infrastructure renewal, ensuring dependable service, bolstering water quality, and meeting environmental standards.
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Oglesby intends to develop an emergency plan encompassing temporary shelter provisions for those in need, extending beyond just migrants. Despite Mayor Jason Curran’s reluctance to address the matter until the La Salle County Board votes on a no-sanctuary resolution, the City Council reached a consensus to draft both a migrant ordinance and an emergency plan with input from Fred Moore, director of La Salle County Emergency Management Agency. Although existing disaster plans exist, Curran highlighted the need to specifically address emergency shelters, aiming to finalize the plan shortly. Additionally, there’s already a tentative agreement on how to handle a migrant influx, involving first responders providing initial aid before arranging transport to state welcome centers.
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The La Salle County Board is poised to address its most contentious issue, regarding the declaration of the county’s stance on migrants, after Thursday’s scheduled meeting in Ottawa. This matter has been a focal point since a draft resolution surfaced on the board’s agenda nearly a month ago. After undergoing extensive debate, revision, and review across multiple meetings and committees, concerns have surfaced regarding the compatibility of such a declaration with state law. Board member Brian Dose highlights the necessity to broaden the discussion beyond a mere statement, to devising a plan for potential humanitarian aid in the event of migrant arrivals. The meeting is set for 1:00 Thursday afternoon at the La Salle County Governmental Complex, with the resolution slated for discussion at the end of the agenda.
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Special prosecutor Martin Glasgow and assistant Colleen Griffin argued that Chester Weger’s pursuit of exoneration in the 1960 Starved Rock murders case should come to an end. In a 78-page pleading filed Tuesday, Will County State’s Attorney Glasgow contended that Weger, nearing 85 years of age, was indeed guilty of murdering Lillian Oetting at the state park. Despite Weger’s assertion that his conviction rested solely on a false confession, Glasgow and Griffin countered that this claim was unfounded. They emphasized that Weger had previously failed to raise certain issues now presented as new and that recent laboratory findings did not exonerate him. Additionally, they stressed that Weger’s trial should be assessed by the standards and laws of 1961, not those of 2024. The decision on whether Weger can proceed with his bid for exoneration will rest with La Salle County Judge Michael C. Jansz, with a hearing scheduled for April 10.
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North Central Area Transit (NCAT) offers complimentary transportation services to La Salle County residents heading to voting sites during the primary election period. Whether for early voting, dropping off mail-in ballots, or casting in-person votes on election day, individuals can ride NCAT without charge. Due to anticipated high demand, it’s advisable to book your trip at least a week beforehand. To reserve your seat, call 833-433-6228 with the address of the desired voting location. For further details, visit ridencat.com.
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The Illinois Department of Revenue offers the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program for senior citizens with household incomes not exceeding $65,000. This state-sponsored initiative permits eligible seniors to defer a portion or all of their property taxes on their primary residences, with a maximum deferral capped at 80% of the property’s equity, up to $7,500. Functioning akin to a loan against the property’s market value, the deferred amounts are borrowed from the state, which covers the tax bill, imposing a 3% annual interest charge and filing a lien on the property. The deferral remains in effect until the property is sold, the owner no longer meets the criteria, or the owner passes away. Eligibility requires individuals to be at least 65 years old by June 1, maintain a household income below $65,000, possess no outstanding property taxes or special assessments, maintain fire or casualty insurance, have resided in and owned the property for the past three years, and not generate income from the property. Applications must be submitted by March 1 and are available at the La Salle County Treasurer’s Office, 707 E. Etna Road, Ottawa. For more information, contact the treasurer’s office at 815-434-8219, option 4.
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A Cook County judge is rejecting a bid to delay a challenge to former President Donald Trump’s candidacy in Illinois. Lawyers for Trump filed a motion to halt legal proceedings in Illinois until after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled whether he is constitutionally eligible to seek reelection. The judge also denied a request by voters seeking to remove Trump’s name off the March Illinois primary ballot for an expedited court schedule. Instead, the judge set a February 16th hearing for an appeal of the Illinois State Board of Elections’ decision to keep Trump’s name on the ballot.
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Illinois lawmakers are pushing for a statewide child tax credit. A bill introduced yesterday would offer 300 dollars per child starting in 2025 for families who earn less than the median income. If approved, Illinois would become the 14th state to pass a statewide child tax credit.
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Starved Rock State Park’s primary parking lot in front of the Visitor Center remains inaccessible due to ongoing flooding. Although the river levels are gradually decreasing, the clean-up effort necessitated by the flood’s aftermath, including silt and mud accumulation, requires time for proper drying and removal by staff to ensure safety. Despite this inconvenience, the Visitor Center, Starved Rock Lodge, campground, and trails remain open for visitors. Meanwhile,
the Illinois River at the Starved Rock Lock & Dam is slowly receding and is anticipated to return below flood stage by Friday.
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The newest exhibition at the Illinois State Museum is now on view at its Springfield museum on the Capitol Complex. The Presidential Illinois exhibition displays significant artifacts highlighting the four U.S. presidents who have called Illinois home. That includes Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama.
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The National Weather Service will be offering weather spotter classes at Illinois Valley Community College on Wednesday, the 21st at 6 PM. Led by an experienced meteorologist, attendees will learn valuable tips for identifying tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. This free two-hour class welcomes individuals of all ages 10 and up, with no prior registration required. Additionally, the National Weather Service will offer weather spotter training hosted by the Quad Cities Weather Service on March 13th at the Ladd Community Center.
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WEATHER:
Today
Scattered showers before 3 pm, then isolated showers and thunderstorms after 5 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Breezy, with a south wind of 15 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
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Tonight
Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 10 pm. Partly cloudy, with a low of around 43. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
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OBITUARIES:
Charles “Mike” McGuire, 84, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, February 1st, at his home. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.
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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 tonight for Ottawa Lady Pirates basketball, as they take on the LP Lady Cavs at Kingman Gym. 7 pm tip-off, with a 6:45 pre-game. Bryer Lehr and David Bergeson are on the call, and TonyB is back at the WCMY studios.
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Girls basketball
Ottawa 48, Streator 19: At Pops Dale Gymnasium on Wednesday, the Pirates prevailed in a nonconference makeup game. Streator closes the regular season by hosting Pontiac on Thursday. Ottawa hosts LaSalle Peru on Thursday.
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Serena 52, Yorkville Christian 28: In nonconference play, the Huskers moved to 24-4
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Hall 47, Henry-Senachwine/Lowpoint-Washburn 14: the Red Devils finished the regular season with a nonconference victory in Spring Valley.
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Boys basketball
Wilmington 63, Streator 59: At Wilmington, the Bulldogs’ Illinois Central Eight Conference championship hopes took a hit with a loss to the Wildcats
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Woodland 67, Leland 34: At Leland, the visiting Warriors notched their 17th victory of the season in the nonconference affair.
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Sandwich 44, Newark 42: At Newark, the visiting Indians (14-12) pocketed the nonconference win over the Norsemen
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Lowpoint-Washburn 64, St. Bede 50: the Bruins lost a Tri-County Conference game in Washburn.
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Football
Matt Cloe, a first-time head coach with a lifetime’s experience of coaching football and managing weight-room regimens, has been hired as the next head coach of the Streator football program. Cloe is replacing former Bulldogs head coach Kyle Tutt, who posted a 7-25 record over four seasons. Tutt, a former all-state quarterback who resigned after the Bulldogs’ 2-7 2023 season, was the sixth consecutive Streator head coach to finish with a sub.500 record dating back to Jim Young, whose teams went 46-39 from 1974-82.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Blackhawks gave up a late goal and lost 2-1 to the Minnesota Wild at United Center. Chicago hosts the Rangers tomorrow night.
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The Bulls will try to get a winning streak going when they visit the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum tonight. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 24-and-27.
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The Northwestern Wildcats used a hot start to beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 80-68 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats host Penn State on Sunday.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are on a seven-game losing streak after a 71-53 loss to the number-ten Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Notre Dame hosts Virginia Tech on Saturday.