During a hearing before an Illinois Pollution Control Board officer, La Salle residents expressed concerns that the city’s agreement with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency had been reached without adequate notification to the community. They felt unheard during city meetings, prompting their request for a hearing. In response, La Salle officials defended the validity of the agreement and deemed many of the raised concerns as irrelevant. The hearing officer will consider the proceedings, which focused on a stipulation regarding La Salle’s southern wastewater treatment plant, before reaching a decision, likely in a few months. Assistant Attorney General Cara Sawyer outlined two violations related to wastewater discharges into the Illinois River and the failure to submit required reports. Despite resolutions outlined in the stipulation, residents questioned the city’s accountability, particularly regarding water quality issues. The hearing concluded with deadlines set for further public comment and post-hearing briefs, underscoring the importance of adherence to environmental regulations overseen by the Illinois Pollution Control Board.
—————————————————————–
A Cook County Judge’s decision to exclude former President Donald Trump’s name from Illinois ballots has sparked strong criticism from GOP leadership in La Salle County. A post on the La Salle County Republican Party’s Facebook page denounces the ruling as “outrageous” and “blatantly partisan,” asserting that it undermines the rights of Illinois voters to select their preferred candidate. The message emphasizes Trump’s efforts in advancing the nation, fulfilling promises, strengthening the economy, and advocating for Americans. It condemns the legal maneuver as an attack on electoral integrity. Trump did file an appeal on Thursday, one day after a Cook County judge removed him from the ballot over his role in the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The order was paused until the Appellate Court of Illinois handed down a final order. The reason for the removal was the 14th Amendment’s so-called “insurrectionist ban.”
—————————————————————–
The sentencing of the ComEd Four is on hold. A judge ruled today that the defendants will learn their fate after the U. S. Supreme Court rules on a federal bribery statute. The high court is expected to hear the case on April 5th and rule by summer. Michael McClain, John Hooker, Jay Doherty, and Anne Pramaggiore were found guilty last May of conspiracy bribery and falsifying records in a case linked to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
—————————————————————–
Throughout March, Illinois Valley Community College commemorates Women’s History Month by paying tribute to the lineage of LPO-IVCC’s families. Over 31 days, the college’s social media platforms will spotlight the trailblazers and trendsetters—women who have not only reshaped the college but have also left an indelible mark on their communities and the nation throughout the past century. These remarkable figures span various fields including philanthropy, education, the arts, athletics, and leadership in both campus and civic arenas as well as various industries. As part of the college’s centennial celebrations, IVCC will unveil its stories and portraits each day of the series. Notably, last fall saw the appointment of one such influential woman as the college’s 11th president—a historic milestone as she is the first IVCC alumna to hold this esteemed position.
—————————————————————–
The Lasalle Peru Township High School Fine Arts department returns once again to the spotlight, following the success of last year’s production of The Adams Family Musical. This year, once again under the direction of Mrs. Natalie Verucchi, and Mr. Jeremy Stevens as band director, audiences will be transported to 19th-Century France as the school presents the school edition of “Les Miserables” at Matthiessen Auditorium. This performance of “Les Mis” will showcase the talents of over 50 students from LPHS and area middle schools, in addition to a full orchestra. “Les Mis” will run from March 15th to the 17th, with tickets available for purchase starting today, and are sure to sell fast. Adult tickets are priced at $12, while kids and seniors can attend for $10. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door before each performance.
—————————————————————–
The Ottawa River Rescue Squad is currently offering its annual raffle tickets, giving participants the chance to win a quarter side of beef or $1,000. Processed and prepared by Freedom Sausage in Earlville, the meat prize promises quality. Each ticket costs $10, with all proceeds directed towards upgrades and modifications for Truck 3. A total of 500 tickets will be sold, and the drawing will take place once all tickets are sold, which typically occurs within two weeks as observed in the previous year. Tickets are conveniently available through active members or via the PayPal link on the Ottawa River Rescue’s Facebook page.
—————————————————————–
Chicago is famous for many foods and it’s no different during Lent. A traditional Friday meal in the Windy City during Lent is the pepper and egg sandwich. It’s typically the most popular menu item at Chicago restaurants on Fridays. The sandwich is believed to have been created by Italian immigrants to Chicago in the late 19th or early 20th century. If you want to make your own, in addition to scrambled eggs, and green and red bell peppers, most recipes call for a Chicago-style French bread long bun. Want a more traditional meal during Lent? Visit the 1430 wcmy community calendar page for local churches and halls serving various styles of fish dinners for dine-in or carry-out. Lent runs through March 28th.
—————————————————————–
Following a hearing on Monday regarding the mental state of 32-year-old Matthew Pairadee from Ohio, the court has mandated a fresh mental health evaluation to ascertain his sanity during the alleged shooting and killing of 69-year-old Jerome Lauer in Ohio. The results of this assessment, conducted by a defense-selected doctor, are anticipated to be disclosed on April 25th, with the expenses covered by Bureau County. Previously, a jury and two physicians had deemed Pairadee unfit for trial, leading to his current custody under the Illinois Department of Human Services. Pairadee stands accused of fatally shooting Jerome Lauer in October 2022, purportedly stemming from a child custody dispute, where Lauer, the grandfather of a 10-month-old girl, was involved, leading to a series of events culminating in a fatal shooting and an overnight police standoff.
—————————————————————–
The trial regarding the drive-by shooting incident outside the downtown Ottawa courthouse has been postponed until attorneys ascertain the defendant’s fitness for trial. Anthony Brito, 30, from Ottawa, appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court for a status hearing on numerous felony charges, including attempted murder. Brito is accused of firing shots at a vehicle, purportedly to intimidate a witness in a pending drug case, though no one was injured. Facing a potential sentence of up to 50 years, Brito awaits trial dates pending a mental health evaluation requested by his defense attorney, Charles Snowden, to ensure Brito’s ability to participate in his defense. Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. scheduled a status hearing for April 11, during which Brito will undergo an assessment by Dr. Ryan Finkenbine. The charges stem from an incident on September 12 at La Salle and Main streets in Ottawa, leading to Brito’s arrest the following day after a standoff. Prosecutors amended charges to include attempted murder upon discovering the victim’s status as a witness in Brito’s drug case, causing his previous plea offer to be revoked due to bond violation.
—————————————————————–
WEATHER:
Friday
A slight chance of showers between noon and 4 pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 47. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
—————————————————————–
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 34. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
—————————————————————–
OBITUARIES:
Margaret Einhaus, 86, of Seneca, passed away Wednesday, February 14th, at the Arc at Dwight with her family by her side. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the Seneca United Methodist Church. A funeral ceremony will follow at 11:00 am at the church. Private burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in Morris. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
—————————————————————–
Leslie Sommer, 64, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, February 25th, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 2nd, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at noon, at the funeral home. The family requests that all attendees wear their favorite Hawaiian apparel. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
—————————————————————–
Brandy Marie Kemper-Price, age 50, of Ottawa, was called to her heavenly home on Sunday, February 25th, with her devoted loved ones at her side. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 2nd, at Praise Center Assembly of God. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10 to 11 AM before the service. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.
—————————————————————–
LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls Basketball:
Altamont 64, St.Bede 56: Altamont defeated St. Bede in the Class 1A State third-place game on Thursday
—————————————————————–
Boys Basketball:
Class 1A Elgin Christian Harvest Academy Sectional
Friday’s final: (2) Aurora Christian (21-8) vs. (1) Serena (31-3), 7 p.m.
Next: The winner advances to the DeKalb Supersectional to face the Hanover Sectional winner at 6 p.m., Monday, March 4.
—————————————————————–
Class 2A Mendota Sectional Friday’s final:
(4) Princeton (17-15) vs. (1) Byron (28-2), 7 p.m.
Next: The winner advances to the Sterling Supersectional to face the Elmhurst Timothy Christian Sectional winner at 7 p.m., Monday, March 4.
—————————————————————–
The Tri-County Conference has released its 2023-24 boys basketball all-conference teams, with Seneca junior Paxton Giertz a unanimous first-team selection as well as being selected the Tri-County Conference Player of the Year. Two of the other first-team all-conference selections were also unanimous choices of the coaches of the TCC – Midland senior Keagan Faulkner and Marquette Academy sophomore Alec Novotney. Rounding out the first team was Marquette senior Denver Trainor.
—————————————————————–
PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Blackhawks suffered an embarrassing 5-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at United Center. The Hawks host the Blue Jackets tomorrow night.
—————————————————————–
The Bulls will try to get a winning streak going when they host the Milwaukee Bucks at United Center tonight. Tonight’s game tips off at 9:00 PM.
—————————————————————–
The Cubs rattled off 16 hits but still lost to the Colorado Rockies 10-9 in a Spring Training game at Sloan Park. The Cubs send Justin Steele to the mound against the White Sox today.
—————————————————————–
The White Sox won both games of their split doubleheader in Spring Training yesterday. Michael Kopech starts for the Sox against the Cubs today.
—————————————————————–
The number-16 Illinois Fighting Illini go for their third win in a row when they visit Wisconsin at Kohl Center tomorrow.
—————————————————————–
The Northwestern Wildcats will try to extend their three-game winning streak when they host the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena tomorrow.
—————————————————————–
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish look to stay hot when they host Clemson at Joyce Center tomorrow.
—————————————————————–
In college basketball action tonight, Northern Illinois visits Akron.
—————————————————————–
Caitlin Clark is going pro. The Iowa women’s basketball star announced yesterday that she will be declaring for the WNBA draft, deciding against coming back for a final season of college. The Indiana Fever holds the top pick in April’s draft. Clark is the favorite to sweep national individual honors again in 2024, and she broke Kelsey Plum’s NCAA all-time scoring record earlier this season. She is only 18 points away from passing Pete Maravich for the record for men or women, you can watch her break history again this Sunday at noon as the Hawkeyes take on Ohio State on Fox.