In an incident that occurred last Friday at around 12:30 pm, the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office has officially reported that Catherine Buck, aged 57, a resident of Oglesby, tragically passed away after falling from the I-39 Abe Lincoln bridge. The La Salle County Coroner’s Office has determined that Buck’s passing was a result of injuries sustained from the fall, with no indication of foul play. Illinois Conservation Police have disclosed that Buck was situated in a vehicle directly above the bridge before the fatal incident occurred on an early Friday afternoon at around 12:30 pm. In our first release of this story, we incorrectly reported that the incident occurred on Early Saturday morning.
If you’re struggling, it’s okay to share your feelings call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish.
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During the recent City Council meeting, La Salle’s Economic Director Curt Bedei (be-day) outlined plans for a proposed trail from Prairie Lake to either 24th or Washington Street, seeking grant funding to cover 80% of the costs, with the Department of Natural Resources contributing $200,000 for the half-mile stretch. The remaining $60,000 would be the city’s responsibility. City Engineer Brian Brown will oversee the project, along with potentially two other initiatives. Aldermen voted to endorse grant applications for new concrete on the First Street truck route and the replacement of water mains. Brown expressed hope to commence the water mains replacement this year, alongside the truck route project. Additionally, federal funding is anticipated for improvements on Eighth Street from Crosat to Sterling and the Richard Hallett road.
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Former President Trump will be on the Illinois primary ballot later this month. The United States Supreme Court yesterday unanimously ruled that Colorado cannot kick Trump off its ballot. The court ruled that Congress, not the states, are the ones in charge of dealing with the 14th Amendment and ballot eligibility. A Cook County judge last week ordered the former president to be dropped from the ballot under the 14th Amendment’s insurrectionist clause. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he’s looking forward to the former president being on the ballot in Illinois because he says that only hurts Republicans.
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After a remarkable 102 years in business, Pat Graham of Bell’s Clothing has announced his decision to retire and explore new ventures. To mark this milestone, a retirement celebration and sale are being organized at the iconic downtown Ottawa store on La Salle Street. The event will commence with a private sale on Wednesday followed by a public sale starting Thursday, extending through May or until all inventory is sold out. Established shortly after World War I, Bell’s Clothing has been a cornerstone in Ottawa’s fashion scene since its inception in 1922. You will find more information on store hours for the event on the Bell Clothing FaceBook page.
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During Monday’s session, the Spring Valley City Council unanimously granted parks employee Keith Urbanski’s request for a raise, recognizing his exceptional dedication and performance over the past three years. Alderman Dave Pellegrini, acting as mayor pro tem in Mayor Melanie Malooley Thompson’s absence, commended Urbanski for his exemplary maintenance of the city’s parks, pool, and athletic courts. Describing Urbanski as a diligent worker who surpasses expectations, Pellegrini emphasized his extensive experience and work ethic. The council agreed to amend the city ordinance concerning park employee salaries, with the changes slated to take effect at the upcoming meeting on March 18th. Additionally, the council approved various requests, including curb cutting for a new driveway, pending a zoning board of appeals review for a shed installation. Other approvals included outdoor dining for The Take Away restaurant, a donation to the Illinois Valley Youth Football League, and scheduling Tag Days for the American Legion Post 182 and the Illinois Valley Building Trades Council.
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A semi-truck fire caused a temporary disruption in interstate traffic just outside Princeton on Monday afternoon. Firefighters and state police responded to the incident on eastbound Interstate 80 in Bureau County shortly after 2:30 PM. The eastbound lanes were closed for approximately 10 minutes as crews worked to extinguish the blaze, with one lane reopening about 30 minutes later. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in the incident.
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The reopening of Princeton’s Red Covered Bridge is anticipated to be a lengthy endeavor, spanning years rather than mere months. The bridge, a historic landmark dating back 160 years, suffered significant damage when a semi-truck attempted to navigate through its narrow confines last November, causing extensive harm to its roof and wooden trusses. The Illinois Department of Transportation outlines a meticulous repair process, which includes comprehensive structural assessments and the compilation of detailed reports estimating costs and work scope, a phase that typically extends beyond a year. Following this, the state will embark on preparing intricate construction plans and specifications, culminating in the solicitation of bids for repair contracts, a procedure that itself could consume 12 to 18 months. Michael Short, the District 3 Program Development Engineer, forecasts a commencement of construction only after several years, citing the uncertainty surrounding the extent of necessary repairs. As the sole covered bridge in Illinois still accessible to traffic, the Red Covered Bridge holds a place of significance, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975.
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Despite classes not being in session at L-P High School yesterday, the hallways buzzed with activity as law enforcement officers conducted training exercises, prompting a message to L-P parents about heightened police presence with reassurance that there was no cause for concern. This activity coincided with Casimir Pulaski Day, an optional holiday for schools in Illinois.
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In Mendota, local police apprehended 46-year-old Anthony Nevdeck from Kansas City, Missouri, on Sunday afternoon in the 700 block of Main Street. He was arrested on a warrant for robbery issued in Cook County. Meanwhile, Ottawa authorities were active as well, with 49-year-old Christine Chovanec of Ottawa apprehended at Walmart on Saturday for retail theft. Another case involved 26-year-old Kory Eaton of Somonauk, who faced charges of theft of services after his arrest in the 1300 block of La Salle Street in Ottawa, also noted for violating pretrial-release conditions. Lastly, Janice Davis, a 59-year-old woman from Marseilles, encountered legal trouble on Saturday when Ottawa police arrested her in the 1800 block of Trumbo Road. She faces charges including possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lighting, and driving with suspended plates.
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Annette Essman, aged thirty-two, stood before a judge in Ottawa on Monday morning, facing formal charges of delivering meth, classified as a class X felony. If convicted, she could face a sentence ranging from 6 to 30 years in prison. Assigned a public defender, Essman is scheduled to return to court for arraignment next month. Her previous encounter with the law resulted in a six-year prison term in 2021 for a meth delivery offense in La Salle County, from which she was paroled after serving one year, granted release last February.
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37-year-old Bruce Sirtoff from Bloomington, known to La Salle County prosecutors, faces felony charges, including making a terrorist threat, disorderly conduct, and resisting a peace officer, after allegedly threatening an Ottawa elementary school. Ottawa Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Michelle Lee disclosed the incident, emphasizing that the threat, made by an adult in police custody during the early morning hours off campus on Friday, was promptly contained and not directed towards any individual. Ottawa Police encountered Sirtoff on Friday regarding his non-compliance with Illinois Sex Offender Registration, leading to his alleged resistance and causing minor injuries to officers. While in custody, Sirtoff reportedly expressed intentions to harm unspecified Ottawa citizens and Shepherd Middle School. Consequently, he underwent evaluation at OSF in Ottawa before being discharged Monday and transferred to La Salle County Jail. This isn’t Sirtoff’s first encounter with the law, as he has previous convictions in La Salle County and was deemed unfit for trial in 2015 on other charges.
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The following subjects have recently been issued a Notice to Appear in court by the LaSalle County State Attorney’s Office, after investigations conducted by Trident Agents.
Antonio L. Johnson, age 36, of Streator, is charged with two counts of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance a class 1 felony. Johnson is alleged to have delivered more than 1 gram but less than 15 grams of cocaine to Trident Agents.
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Shyla M. Knight, age 32, of Streator, IL is charged with one count of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance a class 1 felony. Knight is alleged to have delivered more than 1 gram but less than 15 grams of cocaine to Trident Agents.
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Jimmy L. Payton, age 39 of Streator, IL is charged with two counts of Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine a class 2 felony. Payton is alleged to have delivered less than 5 grams of methamphetamine to Trident Agents.
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Kara A. Rogers, age 38, of Streator, IL is charged with one count of Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine a class 2 felony. Rogers is alleged to have delivered less than 5 grams of methamphetamine to Trident Agents.
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Ronald M. Carter, age 34, LaSalle, IL is charged with two counts of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance, one count as a class 2 felony and one count as a class x felony. Carter is alleged to have delivered more than 20 grams but less than 200 of psilocybin (class 2 felony) and more than 200 grams of psilocybin (class x felony) to Trident Agents.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
Scattered showers, mainly before 8 am. Cloudy, with a high near 51. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%.
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Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 35. North northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Joni “Joan” Marie Eich, 81, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, March 1st at her home. A graveside service will take place on Thursday, March 7th, at 11:00 am, at the chapel at Oakwood Memorial Park. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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James “Kaker” DeBernardi Jr., 96, of Naplate, passed away Saturday, March 2nd, at La Salle County Nursing Home with his family by his side. *Visitation will be on Saturday, March 9th, from 10:00 am until 10:30 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Earlville players earn All-LTC honors
After helping Earlville to a second-place finish in the Little Ten Conference, Red Raider seniors Griffin Cook and Ryan Browder were selected to the all-conference team.
Cook was a unanimous choice. Both were repeat all-conference players.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls overcame a big deficit to beat the Sacramento Kings 113-109 at Golden One Center. The Bulls visit the Jazz tomorrow night.
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The Blackhawks are on a seven-game losing streak after falling to the Colorado Avalanche 5-0 at Ball Arena. Chicago visits Arizona tonight.
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The Bears are bolstering their offensive line. The team traded for Bills offensive lineman Ryan Bates yesterday. The Bears sent back a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to complete the deal. Bates started 15 games for Buffalo in 2022 but only saw the field in a reserve role last season.
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The White Sox had a strong showing during a 5-2 Spring Training win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch. Kevin Pillar had two hits including a double in the victory. Mike Soroka gave up one run on two hits in two innings, and Chris Flexen earned the win in relief. Chicago hosts the Dodgers tomorrow.
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The Cubs left nine men on base during a 2-1 Spring Training loss to the San Diego Padres at Peoria Stadium. Caleb Kilian starts for Chicago against Kansas City tonight.
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The number-12 Illinois Fighting Illini go for the upset when they face number-three Purdue at State Farm Center tonight. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish go for their third win in a row when they host number-seven North Carolina at Dean E. Smith Center tonight. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM Central Time.
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In other college basketball action tonight, Northern Illinois welcomes Central Michigan.