La Salle-Peru High School is currently looking into an incident that took place on Wednesday aboard the Route No. 2 bus in Oglesby, as confirmed by Superintendent Steven Wrobleski. Wrobleski mentioned that the investigation is ongoing, awaiting footage review and student interviews. Allegations surfaced regarding the bus driver playing an Aztec death whistle through the bus speaker system, driving at high speeds reported as high as 70 mph, and erratically on route 251, although no accidents or injuries were reported. Wrobleski emphasized the importance of parental communication concerning student transportation concerns, advising them to contact the school and subsequently the bus company. He commended the responsiveness and commitment of both La Salle-Peru High School and Johannes Bus Company to prioritize student safety during transportation.
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The Peru Police Department emphasizes the heightened presence of officers to ensure road safety amidst St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. In addition to targeting alcohol and drug-impaired drivers, they will intensify seat-belt enforcement, especially during nighttime when compliance tends to be lower. Stricter enforcement of speeding, distracted driving, and other traffic regulations will also be a focus during the campaign from March 8 to 18. While having a designated sober driver is key to preventing accidents and DUI arrests, it’s important to take proactive measures such as securing keys from impaired friends, wearing seat belts, and staying vigilant for pedestrians, who are also at risk. This enforcement initiative is supported by federal traffic safety funds managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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The Ottawa Noon Rotary Club exemplified its commitment to the community by presenting a donation of $709 to the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum. Inspired by the legacy of Rotarian Jerry Halterman, members of the club take turns selecting worthy projects each month, embodying the question, “What would Jerry do?” Molly Perrot, the museum’s executive director, highlighted the significance of the contribution, emphasizing the museum’s volunteer-run operation and its plans for future growth, including expansions to accommodate exhibits such as an Ottawa vintage firetruck.
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Putnam County schools urgently need to address facility upgrades, balancing options like consolidating campuses or maintaining existing ones, all while considering the tax rate. A recent community planning session in Granville discussed the district’s ongoing long-term facilities analysis, revealing significant improvement needs across all schools, totaling about $60 million over the next decade to fifteen years. Administrators are considering consolidating schools into one campus in response to this. In the recent planning session, a proposal was made to close Putnam County Elementary School and Putnam County Junior High, relocating them as expansions to the primary school in Granville at an estimated cost of $34 million. A subsequent phase aims to allocate around $12 million for enhancements to Granville High School, including additional classrooms, improved campus lighting, and updated athletic facilities. All options will be accessible on the district website next week for public review and feedback.
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According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.7 percent from December to January. This marks a slight increase from January 2023, which stood at 4.4 percent, while the national rate for January 2024 was reported at 3.7 percent. Among the sectors, government, educational, and health services, as well as trade, transportation, and utilities, saw notable job gains, whereas professional and business services, construction, and leisure and hospitality experienced significant job losses. In January, Illinois recorded 305,500 unemployed workers. In related news, Payrolls in Illinois rose last month. Non-farm payrolls increased by more than 17 hundred last month. Deputy Governor Andy Manar calls the latest figures an encouraging start to the new year.
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IVCC is hosting Explore IVCC, an open house on Wednesday, March 20th, commencing at 5:30. Aspiring students will have the opportunity to engage with a panel comprising current and former students, sharing insights into their journey at the college. Information on the transfer procedure, high school dual credit, and career and technical education will be provided. Registration is available on the IVCC website or by contacting the school directly, with attendance strongly recommended for those contemplating enrollment in the upcoming summer or fall terms. Summer classes at IVCC commence on May 20th.
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Reactions to President Biden’s State of the Union address last night have fallen primarily along party lines. The president warned of threats to democracy both domestically and overseas. He called on Republican lawmakers to back a bipartisan border deal. Republican Congressman Darin LaHood says the president needs to focus more on the economy. He says Biden has put America on a path of decline. Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker credits the president with creating almost 15 million jobs and bringing back manufacturing jobs that had been shipped overseas by the last administration.
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Hannah Barnes, a 26-year-old Spring Valley resident, faced her fate in court as Judge H. Chris Ryan sentenced her to a year in prison for felony retail theft, to which she had admitted guilt earlier this year. This incident took place in Peru last July. Barnes, already on probation for a prior guilty plea to residential burglary in Bureau County the previous year, now faces the consequences of her actions.
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Thomas Gage, a 35-year-old resident of Streator, has been apprehended and jailed on Tuesday for alleged cocaine distribution. This arrest follows a previous pending cocaine case from the preceding year, along with a history of incarceration in 2022 for similar charges. Despite requests for pretrial release being denied, Gage remains in custody at the La Salle County Jail.
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Last Friday, sixty-nine-year-old Cheryl Hampton reached a plea deal for harassing a witness, with sentencing scheduled for April 17th, potentially leading to prison time or probation for the felony charge originating from Carroll County, initially filed in October 2020. Cheryl and her son, Chad Hampton, faced allegations of displaying a racial slur alongside a Confederate flag in a window facing the victim’s home in Savanna. The victim, who is black, further claimed the duo utilized a noose to hang a bound and chained effigy resembling him from a tree, directly within his sight. While the Hamptons have relocated away from the alleged victim, Chad Hampton was acquitted of criminal property damage charges. Additionally, they are embroiled in a hate crime lawsuit by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, which accuses them of deliberately leveraging America’s shameful history of lynching and racism to intimidate their black neighbor, seeking civil penalties and equitable relief.
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Nathaniel R. Haff-Fluech, aged 21, faced severe legal consequences with the possibility of a 90-year sentence if found guilty of sexually abusing minors and producing sexual abuse images. Arrested on seven felony charges, including sexual abuse and possession of child sexual abuse images, he appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court. Despite the gravity of the charges, he was granted pretrial release, pending trial, based on his minimal criminal history and low-risk assessment score. However, he is confined to his home, forbidden from contacting the victims, and prohibited from accessing the internet and smart devices. Prosecutors argued for detention, citing evidence seized during a search warrant of his residence, but the defense emphasized his cooperation and the antiquity of some charges.
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WEATHER:
Friday
Rain. High near 49. East-northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Rain is likely, mainly before 9 pm. Cloudy, with a low of around 37. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts to less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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OBITUARIES:
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 tomorrow, 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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Fred E. Carlson, 85, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, March 3rd, at his home. Visitation will be tomorrow, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 1:00 pm, Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
The Illinois Media All-State Boys Basketball Teams include a handful of area standouts, headlined by Seneca junior Paxton Giertz and capped off late Thursday by the announcement of Streator’s Christian Benning in Class 3A.
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Princeton junior Noah LaPorte and Fieldcrest senior Brady Ruestman were named Illinois Media Class 2A All-State honorable mention, while Earlville senior Griffin Cook was honorable mention in 1A.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Chicago Bulls came through in the clutch to beat the Golden State Warriors 125-122 at Chase Center. They visit the Clippers tomorrow.
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The Blackhawks are trading away one of their top forwards ahead of today’s trade deadline. Chicago sent Anthony Beauvillier [[ boh-VIHL-yay ]] to the Nashville Predators yesterday in exchange for a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft. The Blackhawks take on Washington tomorrow night.
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The Bears are locking up one of their premier defensive playmakers with a long-term contract. ESPN reports that Chicago and star cornerback Jaylon Johnson have agreed to a four-year, 76-million dollar deal that includes 54 million dollars in guaranteed money.
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The Chicago Cubs will be without one of their depth starters for the first half of the season. The team announced that right-hander Caleb Kilian suffered a right shoulder strain during his Spring Training start on Wednesday. In other team news, the Cubs tied Cincinnati 2-2 in a Spring Training contest yesterday.
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The Chicago White Sox gave up six runs in the top of the fifth during an 8-2 Spring Training loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Camelback Ranch. Erick Fedde takes the mound against Cleveland today.
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The number-12 Illinois Fighting Illini wrap up the regular season with a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday. Sunday’s game tips off at 6:00 PM.
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The Northwestern Wildcats aim to avoid their third straight loss when they host the Minnesota Gophers at Welsh-Ryan Arena tomorrow night. Tomorrow’s game begins at 8:00 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish end their 2023-24 regular season schedule with a game against Virginia Tech at Cassell Coliseum tomorrow. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 1:30 PM Central Time.
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In regular season college basketball action tonight, Northern Illinois is at Buffalo.
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Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark has signed an exclusive, multi-year deal with a major trading card company. Panini America made the announcement this week, saying that Caitlin is the first multi-year, exclusive athlete to sign with the company. It is the first deal of its kind for a female athlete. Her first trading will honor the moment she passed Kelsey Plum to become the all-time leading scorer in N-C-A-A women’s basketball history.