Dawn Trompeter, President of OSF hospitals in Ottawa, Mendota, and now Peru, anticipates that the former IVCH in Peru will serve as an OSF “hub” hospital supporting other OSF hospitals along I-80, although the transition may take up to a year to eighteen months. She is confident that OSF St. Elizabeth – Peru will be operational by 7 am on Sunday, April 7, offering two inpatient beds along with diagnostic imaging, X-ray, EKG, and respiratory services. Phase 2 will see expansions to services, possibly by summer, with the State’s Joint Commission playing a crucial role. In Phase 2, the inpatient bed capacity will increase to 12, and outpatient diagnostic imaging, X-rays, and respiratory services will be available. OSF is investing approximately $60 million into OSF St. Elizabeth’s – Peru, with plans to relocate the front entrance to the south side of the facility in the future.
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Mason Shannon was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in the 2017 death of Michael Castelli of Ottawa as Visiting Judge William Dickenson delivered a not-guilty verdict after a 45-minute ruling, determining that Castelli died from asphyxia resulting from a chokehold during a struggle at the Bonnie Plants growing facility. Although two pathologists debated the cause of death, Dickenson found the evidence supporting death by asphyxia more convincing. While acknowledging Shannon’s right to defend himself and others, Dickenson struggled with the question of whether Shannon acted recklessly, ultimately concluding that the state failed to meet its burden of proof. Castelli’s mother, present for the verdict, left the courtroom without comment, and Shannon showed little reaction. The trial did not dispute the struggle or the need to restrain Castelli, who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Prosecutors alleged Shannon’s excessive use of force led to Castelli’s death, but the defense countered with a pathologist’s testimony suggesting alternative causes for Castelli’s injuries. Despite the lack of clear case law guidance, Dickenson found insufficient evidence to prove Shannon’s actions were reckless beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to the acquittal.
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Utica is nearing the groundbreaking for the Market on Mill, an outdoor retail plaza, with Mayor David Stewart aiming for May construction and April project bidding. The village plans to establish the plaza at the northwest corner of Mill and Church streets. Additionally, officials have examined the first portable retail stall outside the village complex, making minor adjustments to enhance functionality. The village is also progressing with street improvements adjacent to the village complex, with the Utica Village Board approving the pursuit of a design for $82,500, paving the way for enhancements including new sidewalks, drainage improvements, and up to 50 parking spaces. In other news, the Utica St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, military banners with photos are set to return, and there are potential plans for body cameras in Utica as Police Chief James Mandujano explores grant opportunities and sample products.
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During this week’s City Council meeting in Peru, the topic of a new pool was the main focus. The Peru City Clerk’s Office declined to include informational flyers regarding a potential November referendum for a municipal swimming pool in the city’s bill mailings, citing concerns over political language. Former Peru Alderwoman Sherry Mayszak, who has been advocating for the advisory referendum, expressed disappointment at the decision, which was made after consulting with the State Board of Elections. While the board advised that factual information could be included in the flyers as long as they did not explicitly endorse or oppose the referendum, City Clerk Dave Bartley deemed the referendum topic inherently political and not suitable for city-sponsored education efforts. Despite the setback, Mayszak plans to distribute flyers independently to inform voters about the referendum, aiming to gather the necessary signatures for the ballot by May 7. If successful, the referendum, which proposes funding a municipal pool through the hotel/motel tax, could influence the Peru City Council’s decision-making process, although its passage would not legally mandate pool construction. Interested individuals can find more information on the Friends and Family for Peru Pool Facebook page.
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Governor JB Pritzker’s revenue and budget directors addressed a legislative panel, outlining plans to generate an additional $1.1 billion in the upcoming fiscal year through various tax changes. Pritzker’s proposed budget, aiming for $52.9 billion in revenue, involves measures such as increasing certain corporate tax rates, modifying income tax deductions, and implementing other tax adjustments. Notable proposals include extending the cap on corporate net operating losses to $500,000, raising taxes on sportsbooks, capping Illinois retailers’ discounts, and transferring public transit expenses to the Road Fund. These measures are projected to impact various sectors and generate revenue for both state and local governments.
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The road atop Marilla Park Hill in Streator is slated for maintenance later this year, potentially ending seasonal closures. Public Works Director Jeff Long aims to repurpose leftover materials from the city’s road program for resurfacing, testing the city’s oil and chipping capabilities. Long noted the road’s improper construction, leading to messy conditions during thaws due to inadequate drainage. Updates also include ongoing electricity installation in park shelters and plans for dog park rehabilitation, utilizing temporary fencing for grass reseeding. Live Well Streator aims to install a water fountain at James Street Recreational Complex. With a $50,000 park budget allocated for upgrades, repairs at City Park playgrounds are prioritized, with discussions continuing on strategic planning during the next Park Board meeting in May.
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The 2024 Illinois spring trout fishing season will commence on Saturday, April 6, across 58 ponds, lakes, and streams statewide, including locations in Bureau and La Salle Counties. Sites such as the Hennepin Canal Parkway in Bureau County, Illinois Michigan Canal Lock 14, and Lake Mendota in La Salle County will open for fishing. An early catch-and-release season will begin on Saturday, March 23, allowing anglers to fish but not retain trout until the regular season starts. The daily limit is five trout per angler. Funding for the Illinois Catchable Trout Program is supported by the sale of inland trout stamps, with over 80,000 rainbow trout stocked annually for spring fishing and an additional 80,000 for fall. Harvesting trout before April 6 is prohibited, and anglers must check regulations for individual sites. Fishing licenses and trout stamps are required for all anglers unless exempt, with online purchase options available. For more details, visit ifishillinois.org.
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The La Salle-Peru High School theater department will return to the stage with its rendition of “Les Misérables,” one of Broadway’s longest-running shows. The production opens at 7 p.m. today and tomorrow, March 15th-16th, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17th, at the Matthiessen Memorial Auditorium, under the direction of Natalie Verucchi.
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Amtrak commemorates the 75th anniversary of the California Zephyr’s regular route from Chicago to San Francisco, with Princeton playing a significant role. On March 19th, senior staff and dignitaries will traverse the route, making customary stops including Princeton, arriving around 3:44 pm. The city’s tourism office encourages residents to gather on the train platform to welcome Amtrak officials. Chamber Executive Director Jenica Cole notes the Zephyr’s draw, with people traveling from as far as Iowa to board in Princeton.
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This summer, millions of cicadas will emerge simultaneously across the United States. They are part of a group called Brood XIX, four species that appear every 13 years in the Southeast. Another group, Brood XIII, is made of three species that appear every 17 years in northern Illinois. Researchers say that means part of the state will get hit with a double whammy of the uprising bugs. Experts say it’s the first time in more than two centuries that the two broods are emerging at the same time in neighboring areas of the state. The broods will not necessarily overlap but emerge close to each other in the Springfield and Urbana-Champaign metropolitan areas.
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Illinois lawmakers want the state to take online payments for work licenses and other official documents. House Minority Leader Tony McCombie this week pushed for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to accept electronic payments. McCombie says right now people have to write a check to get their license to work or other documents from the IDFPR. She says that leads to delays and has caused a backlog in Springfield. McCombie says the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is often a barrier to people working in Illinois.
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Illinois lawmakers are looking at two bills that would provide students with free school breakfast and lunches. One would make sure all K-12 schools could get the free meals and be reimbursed by the state for costs. The other bill would give schools up to 75 hundred dollars to create “breakfast after the bell” programs. It would also eliminate student co-payments for reduced-price breakfast and lunch recipients.
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If you’re wondering where to celebrate Irish heritage, these cities won’t disappoint. Tripping-dot-com has named the seven best cities to get your green on Sunday. Number one on the list is Chicago, where the Chicago River is dyed green. It’s also home to one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the country. Boston comes in at number two with Philadelphia at number three. Dublin, Ohio, comes in at number four, followed by New York City, New Orleans, and San Diego.
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Rory Waldrop, 28, from Ottawa, faces charges including two counts of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance, one as a class 2 felony and the other as a class X felony, along with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, categorized as a class 3 felony. Allegations state that Waldrop allegedly sold less than 1 gram of Psilocyn (class 2 felony) and over 200 grams of Psilocyn (class X felony) to Trident Agents on two separate occasions. Additionally, Waldrop, who has prior felony convictions prohibiting firearm possession, is accused of selling a firearm to Trident Agents. The case is being handled by the LaSalle County State Attorney’s Office, which issued a Notice to Appear in Court to Waldrop.
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On Tuesday night around 11:00, officers were dispatched to a domestic call, uncovering during their inquiry that 47-year-old Jadon Langston, residing at the Peru address, was wanted in Arkansas and considered a fugitive from justice, subsequently scheduled for a court date. Subsequently, on Wednesday afternoon just after 4:00, Peru police attended to an incident at HyVee Supermarket where they were informed of a theft amounting to over a hundred dollars. Twenty-year-old Zachary Linse from La Salle was implicated in the theft and was provided a hearing date set for April.
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Ottawa Police arrested 55-year-old Tamara Wait of Ottawa Wednesday in the 1100 block of Fulton Street for failure to appear in court on a LaSalle County warrant. Wait was scheduled for a court appearance on a burglary charge.
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26-year-old Cole J. Bircher of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police at Norris Drive and Guion Street early Thursday and charged with driving on a suspended license and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Bircher was released with a court date.
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WEATHER:
Today – Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 54. North northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tonight – Clear, with a low of around 37. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
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Saturday – Increasing clouds, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a southwest wind of 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Saturday Night – Mostly clear, with a low around 32. Westnorthwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Sunday – Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday Night – Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
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OBITUARIES:
Joanne Elizabeth Stortz, 89, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, March 10th at Pleasant View Luther Home. Visitation will be on Friday, March 15th, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, March 16th, at 10:30 am at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. There will be no visitation or prayers on Saturday morning, only the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. The entombment will be in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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David Griffey, Sr., 67, of Marseilles, passed away on Thursday, March 7th, at his home surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on March 16th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. before the service at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard immediately following the services.
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Mary Elizabeth “Marybeth” Engel, 83, of Serena, passed away Thursday, March 7th at her home surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 16th, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be in Aux Sable Grove Cemetery at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Roger W. “Bill” Pachter, 75, of Seneca, passed away Saturday, March 9th at OSF. St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Mass of Christian burial will be at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 16th at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, March 15th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Aurora following the Mass on Saturday.
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Donald S. Schlink, 97, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, March 9th at the OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Private funeral services were held at Oakwood Memorial Park, Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Howard “Randy” Clemens, 68, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, March 8th, at Morris Hospital. Private services will be held. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory.
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Timmey Richard Hicks, 65, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully, on March 10th, at Lightways Hospice Care in Joliet, surrounded by loved ones. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, and family and friends will be notified. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory.
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Steven Beryl Tullis, 54, of LaSalle, passed away on Tuesday, March 12th, at his home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 18th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral home before the service.
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Rickie Daniels, 66, of Sauk Village, IL formerly of Seneca, passed away Saturday, March 9th, at Franciscan Hospital in Dyer, Indiana. Visitation will be Monday, March, 18th, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls Softball
Indian Creek 11, Mendota 10: the Timberwolves’ got their first win of the season against the Trojans.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
>>White Sox Beat Angels
(Glendale, AZ) — Mike Soroka had a strong start as the Chicago White Sox earned a 5-1 Spring Training victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch. Soroka earned the win after striking out five and allowing just two hits over four scoreless frames. Andrew Vaughn had two RBI in the victory. Chris Flexen mans the rubber for the Southsiders against the Cubs today, and we will have that as our last spring training game of the year with a 3 pm pre-game and 3:05 pm first pitch.
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>>Cubs Bring Down A’s
(Mesa, AZ) — David Bote went deep as the Chicago Cubs beat the Oakland A’s 3-1 in a Spring Training game at Sloan Park. Seiya Suzuki added two hits and an RBI in the victory, while Shota Imanaga earned the win after striking out nine over four-and-a-third scoreless innings. Edwin Escobar picked up the save. Jordan Wicks starts for the Northsiders against the White Sox today.
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>>Bulls Fall To Clippers
The Chicago Bulls trailed for most of the game during a 126-111 loss to the Clippers at United Center. Chicago held a brief five-point lead in the first quarter before Los Angeles took control. The Bulls trailed by as many as 21 points in the losing effort. DeMar DeRozan had 21 points in the losing effort, while Nikola Vucevic finished with 19. The Bulls remain in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 32-and-35. Chicago hosts Washington tomorrow night.
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>>Bears Acquire Pro Bowl WR Allen
The Chicago Bears are making a major splash in the trade market. The team acquired six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers yesterday. The Bears sent back a fourth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft to complete the trade. Allen set a career-high in receptions with 108 in 2023. He also had 1,243 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while appearing in 13 games.
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>>Blackhawks Host Kings
The Chicago Blackhawks go for their third win in a row when they host the Los Angeles Kings at United Center tonight. The Blackhawks are coming off a 7-2 rout over the Anaheim Ducks at home on Tuesday night. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 41 points and an 18-43-and-5 record. Tonight’s game begins at 7:30 PM.
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>>Illini Take On Ohio State
The number-14 Illinois Fighting Illini go up against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Quarterfinals from Minneapolis tonight. The Illini took down Ohio State 87-75 when the two teams met on January 30th during the regular season. Illinois finished in second place in the Big Ten with a 14-and-6 conference record and a 23-and-8 mark overall. Tonight’s game starts at 5:30 PM.