After a lengthy debate at yesterday’s Marseilles City Council meeting, confusion surrounding the development of the new Marseilles City Hall and the Middle East Conflicts Museum was somewhat resolved. Commissioners Jim Buckingham and Mike Scheib raised concerns about a Facebook post by Mayor Jim Hollenbeck regarding Phalen Construction’s preliminary floor plans for the 200 Riverfront Drive property purchased by the city for $1.35 million in November. The post suggested the museum would stay put but with an extension added. However, it was clarified that there’s a plan for a separate building nearby. Hollenbeck reassured everyone that the museum would remain in its place, as previously discussed with the Freedom Run leadership. The idea of a separate museum building would free up space for other businesses. Additional issues discussed included funding, construction timing, and arrangements during renovations. The council also received a presentation from Kim Zimmerman, transit director for North Central Area Transit, expressing gratitude for the city’s support. The Marseilles Recreation Board’s Easter Egg Hunt was also announced, scheduled for March 23 at Illini State Park, with Ol’ Hickory Grill Creamery providing special prize eggs.
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During the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement period, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office in Ottawa, Illinois, reported numerous DUI arrests and seat belt citations. Among the infractions noted were 4 instances of Driving While License Suspended, 1 case of Suspended Registration, 6 charges of Driving Under the Influence, 4 cases of Driving Under the Influence, 4 incidents of Expired Registration, 12 instances of Speeding, 8 cases of No Insurance, along with single occurrences of Disobeying Traffic Control Device, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, Improper Lane Usage, and No Valid Driver’s License. Sheriff Adam Diss emphasized, “We strongly enforce traffic laws for one reason – to save lives.” The operation saw collaboration between the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, state and local law enforcement, and highway safety partners, with funding provided by federal highway safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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Although an Auditor General’s report on the COVID-19 outbreak that killed 36 patients at the Lasalle Veterans Home was released two years ago, lawmakers had a chance to question state officials yesterday. The audit found the state failed to respond to the seriousness of the outbreak. One Republican lawmaker said state public health officials did not visit the facility until a week and a half after the outbreak began. State veterans affairs officials told the Legislative Audit Committee yesterday, that every veterans home in Illinois is now properly equipped to deal with such outbreaks.
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On Wednesday, crews were occupied with the task of swapping signage at the Peru hospital, replacing the previous St. Margaret’s Health signs with ones bearing the name OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. Additionally, the letters atop the emergency room entrance, which formerly spelled out Illinois Community Hospital, are set to be replaced on Thursday. The hospital is scheduled to reopen on April 7th, initially providing emergency services and a limited number of inpatient beds. OSF plans to position the Peru location as a central “hub” hospital within their Interstate 80 service area, ultimately offering a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services.
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Illinois House Republicans have introduced the “Protect Victims of Human Trafficking Legislative Package” to address critical shortcomings in combating human trafficking and providing essential protections for victims. Included in the package are several bills aimed at enhancing monitoring and protection measures, removing affirmative defenses for perpetrators, addressing the statute of limitations issues for prosecuting trafficking offenses involving minors, and creating provisions for sealing or expunging records of minors involved in trafficking-related crimes, among other measures. These bills, championed by various Republican representatives such as Nicole La Ha, Jeff Keicher, Jennifer Sanalitro, and Brad Stephens, seek to strengthen the legal framework for combating human trafficking and supporting its victims. These bills collectively aim to strengthen Illinois’ response to human trafficking and better support its victims.
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Illinois Valley Community College students will transition to a new registration and payment system, IVCC Self Service, as the WebAdvisor platform shuts down on March 18. Although registration isn’t immediately available, students can now explore course options and plan schedules through Self Service. The delayed registration dates accommodate the transition, with students notified and redirected from old WebAdvisor links. Director of Admissions and Records, Tom Quigley, assures that Self Service offers a user-friendly interface for registration, payment, viewing course offerings, and managing academic profiles. Moreover, it serves as a gateway to academic records, financial aid, payment options, and course planning tools. Students can use their existing WebAdvisor credentials and reset passwords if needed. Assistance is available through IVCC’s Student Help Desk. Priority registration starts on March 26, followed by summer registration on April 10, and fall registration on April 11.
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Thanks to an executive order from the Illinois Department of Public Health, schools in Illinois are now able to carry inhalers for all students. The order allows all trained school workers to treat any student suffering an asthma attack or any emergency respiratory illness with inhalers or other medications. Before, schools needed standing orders from a doctor. The new order streamlines the process for trained school workers.
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The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation commemorates the enduring legacy of Jade Colleen Novak through the establishment of the “Goodnight, Angel Jade Memorial Field of Interest Fund”. This fund, established by her grandparents, Hope and Larry Kelly, aims to offer hope and aid to youth grappling with mental health and substance abuse issues. Born in April 1995, Novak was deeply ingrained in the Ottawa community, engaging in various pursuits from sports to modeling and masonry. Despite her vibrant exterior, she battled internal struggles, inspiring the fund’s mission to provide financial support to local organizations aiding young individuals facing similar challenges. This initiative stands as a testament to Novak’s resilient and compassionate spirit, offering a pathway toward healing and hope. More information can be found on the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation website.
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The Illinois Commerce Commission is once again reviewing spending proposals from the state’s two major electric utility companies. The panel rejected multiyear plans from Commonwealth Edison and Ameren Illinois last year that propose billions of dollars to be spent to support the state’s new climate goals. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act will phase out greenhouse emissions from energy and transportation industries over the next 20 years. The utility companies’ new proposals would reportedly decrease costs for spending and infrastructure. But it’s not yet known how the plans will affect the nearly five-and-a-half million electric customers in the state.
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The TBM Avengers Air Show and Reunion, along with the Salute to Veterans, seeks enthusiastic volunteers for various roles such as parking attendants, shuttle operators, food servers, and aiding veterans. The event is scheduled at the Peru Airport from May 16th to 19th. Those interested in contributing can attend volunteer meetings on Saturday, April 6th, and Saturday, April 20th, both starting at 9 a.m. at the airport.
To join the team, contact volunteer coordinators Tracy Baer at (815) 830-5724 or Penny Volkert at (815) 503-3117.
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Two local high schools are gearing up to dazzle audiences with their stage performances. Mendota High School will enchant viewers with “Mamma Mia!”, featuring the iconic music of ABBA. Shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23, with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, all taking place at the Mendota High School auditorium with assigned seating. Meanwhile, the St. Bede Academy drama department will dive into Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” opening at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, at the Abbot Vincent Gymnasium, directed by Lisa Griggs.
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The City of Chicago is suing gunmaker Glock Inc. The suit claims Glock facilitates the manufacturing of weapons that can be easily modified. Cheap, easily accessible devices known as “Glock switches” can be purchased online or made with 3D printers. The lawsuit alleges that the Georgia-based weapons maker knows how easy it is to modify their guns and still has done nothing to prevent it.
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Caleb Prose, a 45-year-old resident of Girard, Illinois, has been apprehended and charged with burglary by Putnam County deputies after allegedly burglarizing a shuttered power plant in rural Hennepin. His arrest occurred during a routine traffic stop outside Hennepin on Saturday. Prose currently resides in the Putnam County Jail awaiting further legal proceedings. Notably, Prose was already on pretrial release in Montgomery County for a similar offense involving the burglary of another closed power plant, during which investigators uncovered roughly $500,000 worth of stolen goods.
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A two-vehicle accident at the south end of Grand Ridge around 4:30 Wednesday morning resulted in minor injuries. 28-year-old Carter Bacon of Grand Ridge was southbound on Illinois 23 and attempted to turn left onto West Parkway Street when a vehicle traveling north on 23 driven by 54-year-old Ramon Garcia of Streator struck the back right corner of Bacon’s vehicle. Bacon was ticketed by LaSalle County Deputies for failure to yield while turning left.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
A chance of flurries before 7 am. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
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Thursday Night
A chance of snow before 2 am, then a chance of rain and snow between 2 am and 5 am, then a chance of rain after 5 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 35. East wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
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OBITUARIES:
Gerald “Jerry” Walsh, 87, of Serena, passed away Friday, March 15th, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation from 9:00 am until 10:00 am today at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am today, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Private burial will take place in St. Columba Cemetery.
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Benjamin Samuel Otstott, 23, of Seneca (formerly of Plainfield), passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 16th, just before his Golden Birthday. A Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Casual attire is suggested.
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Nancy (Askim) Pratt, born in San Rafael, California, passed away on March 16th at the age of 77. Nancy worked for the Ottawa Elementary School District for many years before moving on to own and operate The Little store in Ottawa with the help of her family for 10 years before retiring.
Darla Pratt passed away on March 13th at age 43. Darla was born in Ottawa to Mack and Nancy (Askim) Pratt and was a graduate of Ottawa Township High School, class of 1998. A joint Celebration of Life for Darla & Nancy will be held at Berta’s Tap (covered patio) 616 Clinton St, Ottawa, Sunday 3/24 from 12-4 pm. Ottawa Funeral Home is helping with arrangements.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
BASEBALL
Ottawa 12, St.Bede 2: Ottawa defeated St. Bede at St. Bede Academy.
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Mendota 14, Indian Creek 3 (5 inn.): the Trojans scored nine runs in the fourth inning in a nonconference victory in Mendota.
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Illinois Valley Central 9, Streator 3: At Chillicothe, the Grey Ghosts get the win over the Bulldogs.
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Aurora Christian 19, Newark 4 (4 inn.): At Waubonsee Community College, the Eagles erupted for 16 runs in the bottom of the first against the Norsemen (0-6).
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SOFTBALL
St. Bede 12, Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell 1 (5 inn.): the Bruins rolled to a Tri-County Conference victory in Streator.
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GIRLS SOCCER
Mendota 6, Streator 3: Crystal Garcia scored four goals to lead the Trojans to a nonconference victory in Streator.
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Sycamore 4, La Salle-Peru 0: The Cavaliers were shut out in an Interstate 8 Conference game in Sycamore.
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Wrestling
Competing in Indiana, against the Indiana All-Stars. Representing Team Illinois, Seneca Fighting Irish senior Chris Peura, representing Team Illinois, executed a stunning comeback, clinching a victory with a late reversal and pinfall against Team Indiana’s Brandon Johnson at 215 pounds. Meanwhile, Streator Bulldogs senior Nicholas Pollett faced tough competition, succumbing to Team Indiana’s Mason Jones in the 106 match. And in Girl Wrestling Sandwich Indians senior Ashlyn Strenz, also from Team Illinois, triumphed twice at 110, securing wins against Team Indiana’s Kylie Smith-Foster and Team Iowa’s Stella Cupples with impressive performances for Team Illinois.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Chicago Cubs had just one hit during a 3-1 Spring Training loss to the Oakland A’s at Hohokam Stadium. Ezequiel Pagan homered in the seventh to give Chicago its only run. Hector Neris was charged with the loss in relief. Drew Smyly starts for the Northsiders against the Rockies this afternoon.
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The Chicago White Sox couldn’t hit with runners in scoring position during a 3-1 Spring Training loss against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch yesterday. The White Sox had ten hits in the contest but went one-for-12 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base. Mike Soroka struck out five and allowed just one unearned run in four innings, but Chad Kuhl was tagged with the loss out of the pen. Garrett Crochet starts for Chicago against the Royals today.
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The Chicago Bulls go for their third win in a row when they visit the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 110-107 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 34-and-35 record. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Chicago Blackhawks look to get back in the win column when they visit the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center tonight. The Blackhawks were just crushed by the Los Angeles Kings 6-2 on Tuesday night. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 43 points and a 19-45-and-3 record. Tonight’s game begins at 9:00 PM.
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The Illinois Fighting Illini will try to survive and advance when they take on 14-seed Morehead State in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at CHI Health Center this afternoon. The Illini are a three-seed after beating Wisconsin 93-87 in the Big Ten Championship last Sunday. Illinois lost to Arkansas 73-63 in the First Round last year.
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In college basketball action yesterday, Bradley beat Loyola 74-62 in the First Round of the NIT Tournament.