At the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities event held on Wednesday, leaders from Spring Valley, La Salle, Peru, Utica, Oglesby, Ottawa, and Streator convened to share their cities’ achievements, challenges, and future aspirations. The luncheon boasted 239 registered attendees eager to hear insights from each municipality’s representative. Throughout the event, mayors and village presidents took turns highlighting their respective areas’ notable accomplishments, while also fielding questions curated by IVAC Executive Director Bill Zens from both attendees and himself. Notably, Spring Valley Mayor Melanie Malooley-Thompson outlined ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the downtown area, despite setbacks encountered in securing grants. Other leaders, such as Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski and Utica Village President David Stewart, discussed initiatives ranging from addressing affordable housing to fostering economic growth over the next decade. As discussions unfolded, it became apparent that fostering a collaborative spirit among neighboring communities remained a shared priority, even as time constraints prevented all questions from being addressed, leaving topics like the train project, education, and tourism for future dialogues.
—————————————————————–
Four people are dead, including a mail carrier, and seven injured after a series of attacks by a single suspect in a southeast Rockford neighborhood Wednesday afternoon. Police took a 22-year-old male suspect into custody at 1:35 p.m. The first 911 call came in around 1:15 p.m., with the suspect involved in a home invasion before continuing the attacks throughout the Rockford neighborhood. According to reports, a man pulled a knife in a residential area and started indiscriminately stabbing people. Among those killed were a 15-year-old girl, a 63-year-old woman, a 49-year-old man, and a 22-year-old man. The suspect, a 22-year-old male, is facing multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. The cause of death or injury for all victims hasn’t been released, but officials say not all of the victims were stabbed.
—————————————————————–
In Marseilles on Wednesday, a poignant demonstration unfolded, showcasing the unwavering dedication of individuals to their faith and patriotism., volunteers from Riverglen Christian Church in Wisconsin showed remarkable dedication, traveling to Illinois to clean the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial. Led by Linda Matter, they joined forces with Laborers Union 393, leaving the venue immaculate ahead of the upcoming Marseilles Freedom Run. For the church group, this mission trip served as a poignant reminder of the importance of honoring veterans. Younger members, particularly, gained valuable perspectives. As part of their annual mission efforts, the church fosters community engagement, with this trip offering a unique educational experience. Despite their young age, the volunteers, ranging from 10 to their 40s, eagerly contributed to the cleanup, deeply moved by the museum’s artifacts and the memorial itself. Their collective efforts underscore the significance of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
—————————————————————–
The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office has announced its active participation in Distracted Driving Awareness Month, taking place throughout April. Motorists should anticipate heightened patrols targeting drivers engaging in texting or cellphone use, alongside other traffic infractions. Collaborating with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police, and over 200 local law enforcement agencies statewide, the sheriff’s office aims to intensify enforcement initiatives. Statistics reveal that between 2012 and 2021, approximately 32,000 lives were lost in accidents involving distracted drivers, with particular vulnerability observed among individuals aged 16 to 24. To mitigate risks, drivers are urged to refrain from texting while behind the wheel, opting instead to pull over to a safe location or designate a passenger as a “designated texter.” Emphasizing the legal repercussions, Illinois enforces strict laws against phone use while driving, emphasizing the imperative of attention or facing consequences. Notably, the Illinois distracted driving campaign receives funding from federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT.
—————————————————————–
Just over a week ago, voters in Dalzell endorsed three separate ballot measures aimed at increasing local taxes, prompting discussions about the allocation of these additional funds. Superintendent Kyle Ganson of Dalzell Grade School outlined plans to utilize the newfound resources to counter rising expenses related to instructional delivery, material procurement, insurance, utilities, fuel, and bus maintenance. The objective is to bolster tax revenue to mitigate the ongoing depletion of the district’s reserves. As delineated in the election ballots, the approved tax rates for Dalzell Grade School are earmarked for education, transportation, and building operations and maintenance. The adjusted tax rate for the education fund is projected to generate approximately $40,000 more revenue, while the operations and maintenance fund will receive an additional $13,000, and the transportation fund will see a modest increase in tax revenue.
—————————————————————–
On Wednesday, April 3rd, IVCC Financial Aid Advisers will host a complimentary workshop at Illinois Valley Community College, aimed at demystifying the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA serves as a gateway to various financial aid opportunities including grants, low-interest loans, and scholarships. By providing essential information, states and colleges utilize the FAFSA to assess eligibility criteria and potential aid amounts. Experienced financial aid experts will guide students and their families through the application process, commencing at 1:15 PM. To streamline the process, attendees are advised to establish a Federal Student Aid login beforehand and bring along copies of their federal income tax returns.
—————————————————————–
Residents and local leaders packed a hearing room at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield yesterday to voice their opposition to proposed changes in delivery services by the Postal Service. The proposal includes a consolidation of several dozen processing and distribution centers in smaller Illinois communities. Mail that’s sent from central to southern Illinois addresses would first be sent to the St. Louis facility before being delivered. Residents and officials at yesterday’s hearing made it clear they opposed the plan. The Sangamon County Board plans to file a resolution opposing the plan at its April 9 meeting.
—————————————————————–
The latest plan to pay some people in Illinois a guaranteed income took its latest step at the Illinois Capitol. Lawmakers yesterday held a hearing on a proposal to create a one thousand-dollar per-month guaranteed income program. The money would go to anyone, even those people who are in Illinois illegally. Advocates say the money is necessary because of inflation. Critics say guaranteed income programs in the past have helped people buy new things, but have never helped anyone out of poverty.
—————————————————————–
Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs has thrown his support behind a plan to let parents roll unused money from their children’s college funds into a Roth IRA. Frerichs says it’s now possible thanks to changes in federal law but that state law needs to change before Illinois families can take advantage of it. Currently, legislation to change the law is advancing through the Illinois General Assembly.
—————————————————————–
This week’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore could have an impact on Illinois farmers. A container ship slammed into the bridge early Tuesday, causing the bridge’s collapse. The Port of Baltimore is the main port for the import and export of vehicles and farm equipment. It’s also the main port for importing sugar, which could help farmers as companies switch to corn syrup and sweeteners.
—————————————————————–
Schools across Illinois are making plans for next month’s solar eclipse. In Carbondale at Southern Illinois University — which is in the path of totality for the eclipse — classes are canceled on April eighth. A festival will be held to celebrate the solar event. Carbondale schools will also close for the day so students can experience the eclipse. The Waterloo Community Unit School District Number Five will close on April eighth and schools in Alton will let out early.
—————————————————————–
Terrell J. Davis Jr., 25, a Lansing man also listed as a resident of Chicago, is scheduled for a detention hearing on Thursday following a domestic dispute that led Oglesby police to seize a pistol that had been converted into a machine gun. Davis faces charges of aggravated unlawful restraint and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, filed at 10:59 p.m. on Tuesday. Initially, reports suggested the seizure of a high-capacity magazine with 30 rounds, but court records filed later on Wednesday revealed that Davis allegedly held a woman at gunpoint using a modified Glock pistol equipped with a switch for full-auto firing capability. The primary charge of aggravated unlawful restraint is a Class 3 felony, carrying a potential prison term of two to five years, while the weapon charge is a Class 4 felony, carrying a sentence of one to three years. Davis was apprehended without incident, with the assistance of the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, La Salle Police Department, and Illinois State Police. Davis awaits a pre-trial hearing at La Salle County Jail, with proceedings expected today in La Salle County Circuit Court.
—————————————————————–
WEATHER:
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 63. East-northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
—————————————————————–
Friday Night
Showers, with thunderstorms possible after 10 pm. Low around 48. East-southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 80%.
—————————————————————–
OBITUARIES:
Nancy (Sizemore) Armstrong, 87, of Ottawa, passed away on March 22nd, at The Pavilion of Ottawa. There will be no public visitation or burial services, cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
—————————————————————–
Marilyn J. Rorem, age 85, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, March 25th, with her loving family at her side. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM today at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to the time of service today.
—————————————————————–
Lyndle “Lindy” Ator Jr., 76, of Morris, passed away Monday, March 25th, at Morris Hospital. Visitation will be Friday, March 29th, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 3:00 pm. Private burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Seneca.
—————————————————————–
LOCAL SPORTS:
Baseball
Rock Island 7, Ottawa 5: At Rock Island, the Pirates outhit the Rocks 5-2, but couldn’t overcome six errors and six walks in the loss.
—————————————————————–
Marquette 13, Woodland/Flanagan 0: Marquette shut out Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell 13-0 on Wednesday, at Masinelli Field in Ottawa in 4 innings.
—————————————————————–
LPHS 1, Washington 0: On a cold and windy day, the La Salle-Peru and Washington baseball teams engaged in a classic pitchers’ duel at the L-P Sports Complex.
—————————————————————–
Henry-Senachwine 10, Seneca 8: At Henry, the Mallards exploded for eight runs in the fifth to deal the Fighting Irish (5-2, 2-1) their first Tri-County Conference loss.
—————————————————————–
Sandwich 16, Indian Creek 0 (4 inns.): At Sandwich, the Indians’ Chance Lange threw a no-hitter with seven strikeouts against the Timberwolves.
—————————————————————–
Softball
Marquette 3, Woodland/Flanagan 1: Marquette defeated Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell on Wednesday, in Ottawa.
—————————————————————–
Beecher 9, Ottawa 1: At Beecher, the Pirates dropped to 4-2 on the year with the loss to the Bobcats.
—————————————————————–
Streator 7, LPHS 6: the Bulldogs cooled the Cavaliers icing a 7-6 nonconference victory at the SHS Athletic Fields.
—————————————————————–
Seneca 7, Henry-Senachwine 3 (8 inn.): At Henry, the Fighting Irish (4-0, 3-0) ignited for five runs in the top of the eighth to top the Mallards in the Tri-County Conference contest.
—————————————————————–
Sandwich 10, Indian Creek 7: At Sandwich, the Indians improved to 3-0 on the season with the win over the Timberwolves.
—————————————————————–
St. Bede 16, Somonauk/Leland 0 (5 inn.): At Somonauk, Haley McCoy singled for the lone Bobcats hit in the loss to the Bruins.
—————————————————————–
PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox open the 2024 MLB season with a game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field this afternoon. The White Sox are coming off their worst season since 1970 after finishing with a 61-and-101 record. They also traded away ace pitcher Dylan Cease during the offseason, so Garrett Crochet will take the mound for his first MLB start today. The pre-game is at 2:30 pm and the first pitch is at 3:10 PM.
—————————————————————–
The 2024 MLB season is finally here. The Chicago Cubs visit the world-champion Texas Rangers for Opening Day at Globe Life Field tonight. The Northsiders are looking to build off a strong season last year. Chicago was in second place in the NL Central with an 83-and-79 record. The Cubs fired manager David Ross during the offseason and replaced him with former Brewers skipper Craig Counsell. Justin Steele takes the mound for Chicago, while Nathan Eovaldi goes for Texas. The first pitch is at 6:35 PM.
—————————————————————–
The Chicago Bulls took control in the second quarter of their 125-99 rout over the Indiana Pacers at United Center. The Bulls outscored Indiana 37-20 in the frame and led by as many as 29 points in the contest. DeMar DeRozan poured in 27 points, while Nikola Vucevic added 22 points and 12 boards. The Bulls remain in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 35-and-38 record. They visit the Nets tomorrow.
—————————————————————–
The Chicago Blackhawks go for their third win in a row when they visit the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre tonight. The Hawks are coming off a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 47 points and a 21-46-and-5 record. Tonight’s game starts at 6:00 PM.
—————————————————————–
The third-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini will try to head to the Region Finals when they take on two-seed Iowa State in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament at TD Garden tonight. Illinois beat Duquesne 89-63 in the Second Round last week. The Illini haven’t been to the Elite Eight since 2005. Tonight’s game tips off at 9:09 PM.