A collision occurred on the eastern end of La Salle, involving two drivers who sustained injuries and received citations. Emergency services responded to the incident at the entrance to Illinois Cement on Route 6 early Tuesday morning. According to investigators, Timothy Thone, 42, from Ladd, was heading west on Route 6 when he attempted a turn into the entrance, resulting in a collision with an eastbound vehicle driven by Dorothy Velasco, 59, from La Salle, who allegedly had her headlights off. Both drivers were transported to OSF in Ottawa for treatment, with their injuries deemed non-serious. Thone was cited for driving with a revoked license and being uninsured, while Velasco received a citation for driving without headlights when necessary.
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Scheduled for Wednesday, March 27th, the annual State of the Cities Luncheon will take place at Grand Bear Resort near Utica, gathering mayors and village presidents from La Salle, Peru, Ottawa, Oglesby, Spring Valley, Utica, and Streator. Hosted by the Illinois Valley Area Chamber, this significant event serves as a platform for community leaders to provide updates on their respective regions while also delving into future growth initiatives and quality-of-life projects. The luncheon, spanning from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, promises insightful discussions and collaborative efforts toward enhancing the overall well-being of the cities involved.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation plans to start construction on Interstate 80 in Grundy County on Monday, Feb. 19th, pending favorable weather conditions. The project, estimated to last around 10 weeks, aims to address pavement failures and potholes exacerbated by extreme temperature fluctuations and winter conditions in January. Activities will occur in both directions of I-80 between the Illinois 47 interchange and the Seneca interchange, spanning seven miles. Commuters should anticipate delays, allow additional travel time, and brace for potential traffic congestion.
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Today commemorates the solemn 16th anniversary of the tragic events that unfolded at Northern Illinois University when a gunman claimed the lives of five students and left nearly two dozen others injured on February 14th, 2008. At 3:06 pm five bells will toll in remembrance of the five NIU students lost to the senseless violence perpetrated by a former graduate student within the confines of a lecture hall in Cole Hall on the campus.
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Streator is pressing ahead with demolitions, targeting a former rental house flagged as a nuisance after a summer shooting. Mayor Tara Bedei announced plans to open bids for demolitions at 210 S. Bloomington St. and 121 W. Hickory St. Following a shooting incident in June, a search warrant was executed at the Hickory Street residence, although no arrests were made. Bedei advocated for measures to quell violence, including the closure of the problematic house. While grant money will cover the demolition of 210 S. Bloomington St., additional expenses may arise for the Hickory Street property due to asbestos removal. The City Council is set to vote on demolition costs at the Feb. 21 meeting.
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Teamsters Local 916 which represents Ottawa District 3, has lodged an unfair labor practice (ULP) charge against the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Central Bureau and Division 1 on behalf of Teamsters employed at IDOT. This action follows a decisive vote by IDOT Teamsters to authorize a strike if a fair agreement is not promptly reached. JP Fyans III, President of Local 916, emphasized that IDOT’s conduct not only fails to offer workers a just contract but also violates labor laws, particularly by attempting to intimidate workers who support their union through wearing T-shirts and buttons. The charges, submitted to the Illinois Labor Relations Board, allege that IDOT Central Bureau and Division 1 engaged in monitoring and surveillance of workers on multiple occasions to monitor union support. Despite working under an expired collective bargaining agreement since July 1, 2023, IDOT Teamsters remain resolute in their pursuit of fair compensation and respect. Fyans reaffirmed the union’s determination to secure the best possible contract and stated that employer scare tactics only serve to strengthen their resolve.
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Illinois Valley Community College is introducing its inaugural dental hygiene program, now open for applications this spring, with the first class slated to commence in the upcoming fall semester. This addition supplements the existing dental assisting program, enhancing dental health services in the Illinois Valley region. Offering both certificate and degree programs, the initiative aims to equip local students with the skills necessary for higher-paying positions, address the area’s demand for trained dental professionals, and expand access to affordable dental care through the college’s clinic. With employment prospects for dental hygienists on the rise, the program stands to meet the region’s pressing needs, providing comprehensive training in both dental assisting and hygiene. The application deadline is May 1, 2024.
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LaSalle is joining Peru and Oglesby in the realm of live-streamed city council meetings. The upcoming session on Tuesday, the 20th will be the first official live-streamed council meeting for the city. You can find a link to the live YouTube stream on the City of LaSalle’s website.
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In Peru, residents may find a referendum on their November election ballot, inquiring whether to utilize hotel/motel taxes for the construction of a new city pool. Former council member Sherry Mayszak is endeavoring to gather adequate signatures to include this non-binding question on the ballot, seeking support by proposing to include information about the pool in Peru’s utility bills. The Peru City Council intends to assess the feasibility of this insert according to state regulations, with one of the city’s committees anticipated to deliberate on the pool referendum proposal.
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Flight attendants in Chicago are demanding better wages and working conditions. More than 150 flight attendants protested yesterday outside O’Hare Airport over a lack of contract negotiations. They were joined by thousands of other flight attendants in other major cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston, as part of the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action. Flight attendants across 24 airlines are in contract negotiations, including with Chicago-based United Airlines.
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Governor Pritzker is highlighting investments in early childhood education in Rockford. The governor made a stop yesterday at the Youth Services Network to discuss Smart Start Illinois. The Rockford community has received a one-point-two-million-dollar investment from the Illinois Department of Human Services to assist childcare providers with transitioning and preparing for Smart Start Workforce Grants.
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An Illinois Lottery employee is admitting to stealing books of instant lottery tickets and redeeming winning tickets for cash. Dean Derrick of Springfield pleaded guilty yesterday to one count of theft of governmental property and one count of official misconduct. A Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge ordered Derrick to pay more than eight thousand dollars in restitution and sentenced him to two years of probation. Prosecutors say Derrick stole books of instant lottery tickets from retailers while working in his official capacity as a sales representative for the Illinois Lottery.
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Mason Shannon is once again facing trial for the 2017 death of Michael Castelli, this time with a judge presiding over the determination of whether the incident was self-defense or a reckless act. Shannon, 49, previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter, had his conviction overturned on a procedural issue. At the retrial, Shannon has opted for a judge to render the verdict. The prosecution argues that Shannon acted recklessly, leading to Castelli’s death from asphyxia, while the defense contends Shannon was defending himself against Castelli’s aggressive behavior fueled by alcohol and drugs. Witnesses describe a chaotic scene where Castelli had to be restrained by multiple individuals before Shannon placed him in a headlock. The trial is ongoing, with medical testimony scheduled for Thursday, and if convicted, Shannon could face imprisonment for two to five years.
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Joshua Lunde, 26, from Streator, was detained on Tuesday morning due to an outstanding warrant from Livingston County, relating to his failure to attend court proceedings regarding a larceny charge. Lunde was subsequently transported to the Livingston County Jail.
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Michael West, a 65-year-old resident of Peru, was apprehended last week in Peru after being sought for his involvement in cocaine distribution and a domestic assault case. He faces charges including unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and aggravated domestic battery, with the drug offense linked to an incident from November and the battery case occurring this month. Before these charges, West was already facing accusations of heroin distribution in La Salle County. He is currently detained at the La Salle County Jail.
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No injuries in a pair of vehicle versus deer accidents Monday night. LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies say 22-year-old Joseph Daraban of Ottawa struck a deer near U.S. 6 and East 509th Road, and 36-year-old Joel Smith of Ottawa couldn’t avoid a deer in South Ottawa Township near North 2703rd and East 1779th Roads.
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LaSalle County Deputies arrested 34-year-old Alanna Englert of Streator just before 3:00 a.m. Tuesday near East Morrell and Shabbona Streets in Streator. Englert was charged with driving on a suspended license, taken to the LaSalle County Jail, and later released with a notice to appear in court
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 47. Southsoutheast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
Wednesday Night
Rain, mainly after midnight. Low around 37. East-southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west-southwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.
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OBITUARIES:
Marcia Shepherd, 74, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, February 10th, at LaSalle County Nursing Home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, February 15th at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at noon at the funeral home.
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Gerald “Jerry” Wold went to be with the Lord on February 12th, surrounded by his loved ones. After 18 years, he has lost his battle with cancer. A visitation will be held on Friday, February 16th, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony with military honors will take place on Saturday, February 17th, at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Noel J. “Butch” Lietz, 81, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, February 8th, at the OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 17th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 16th, at the funeral home and 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday before the service.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys basketball
Marquette 61, Seneca 50: The Crusaders clinched their seventh Tri-County season crown in the past 10 seasons.
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Ottawa 47, Mendota 39: Ottawa defeated Mendota at Mendota High School. The victory over Mendota on Tuesday night gave Coach Cooper win No. 333 all-time, passing legendary Pirates coach Dean Riley (1961-1979) for the most in program history.
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2024 IHSA State Boys Basketball Round One:
Monday, Feb. 19 – Leland at Marquette, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 21 – Sterling vs. Ottawa, 6 p.m.
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Streator 51, Wilmington 49: With the win the Bulldogs achieved a milestone and got their 1500 win in program history.
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Morris 63, La Salle-Peru 58: The Cavaliers dropped an Interstate 8 Conference game in Morris.
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Riverdale 85, Hall 63: The Red Devils fell in a Three Rivers Conference crossover in Port Byron.
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Newark 55, LaMoille 27: the Lions lost a Little Ten Conference game in LaMoille.
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Earlville 74, Hiawatha 33: At Kirkland, the visiting Red Raiders (26-3 overall, 9-1 Little Ten) set a new program record for victories in a season and finished as runners-up in the LTC.
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Girls basketball
Serena 49, Hinckley-Big Rock 38: In the semifinals of the Class 1A Earlville Regional on Tuesday, the Huskers advanced on to Thursday’s title game against Ashton-Franklin Center with the win over the Royals.
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Ashton-Franklin Center 45, Newark 22: In the semifinals of the Class 1A Earlville Regional on Tuesday, the Norsemen saw their season come to a close with the defeat.
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Seneca 48, Joliet Catholic 40: In the semifinals of the 2A Chicago Christian Regional in Palos Heights, the Fighting Irish will face Peotone in Thursday’s championship game.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls will try to get a winning streak going when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:30 PM.
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The Blackhawks are on a seven-game losing streak after a 4-2 loss against the Vancouver Canucks at United Center. The Hawks host Pittsburgh tomorrow night. Blackhawks rookie forward Connor Bedard is expected back in the lineup next week.
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Baseball is back for the Cubs. The club’s pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training in Florida today. The Cub’s first Spring Training game will be on February 23rd against the White Sox.
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The White Sox are adding some depth to their bullpen. The team signed relievers Corey Knebel and Dominic Leone to minor league contracts that include invitations for Spring Training, which begins today.
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The number-14 Illinois Fighting Illini had no trouble side-stepping the Michigan Wolverines in a 97-68 win at State Farm Center. The Illini are in Maryland on Saturday.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish go for their second win in a row when they host Georgia Tech at Joyce Center tonight. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM Central Time.
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In other college hoops action yesterday, Northern Illinois edged Buffalo 72-68
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IVCC, having canceled the women’s basketball season this winter due to insufficient players, has enlisted the expertise of seasoned coach Marc Lowe to revive the program. Lowe, announced as the new coach on Monday, brings a wealth of experience, having led teams at both junior college and high school levels, and served as an assistant for NCAA Division I men’s and women’s teams.
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IVCC 84, Black Hawk 80: Wade Sims scored 26 points to help the Eagles claim the Arrowhead Conference championship with a victory in Moline.