Just a reminder that construction on the Route 251 bridge in Peru, as per the Illinois Department of Transportation, will start on Monday, April 15th, weather permitting, albeit with a delay. The scope of work encompasses washing the bridge and all structural steel, the top surface of piers and abutments, deck drains, and the deck surface. Throughout the day, traffic will be reduced to one lane, managed by flaggers, with the project expected to conclude in early May. Motorists should anticipate delays, allow extra travel time, and exercise caution due to potentially slow or halted traffic. IDOT recommends exploring alternate routes to avoid the construction area, emphasizing adherence to posted speed limits, refraining from mobile device usage, and maintaining vigilance for workers and equipment.
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Utica is preparing to mark the solemn anniversary of its most devastating event, the 2004 tornado. Village President David Stewart announced a commemorative program set for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the intersection of Mill and Church streets, where the tornado memorial stands. The ceremony will honor the lives lost, including ten individuals, among them a Granville woman and an unborn child whose deaths were attributed to the storm, as well as those who perished in the collapse of the Milestone Restaurant and Lounge. Stewart mentioned that there would be brief speeches, paying tribute to all involved in the tragic events of that night. This catastrophe marked the largest loss of life in the village’s history, with the destruction of the Village Office and severe damage to numerous structures, prompting a significant rebuilding effort led by then-Mayor Fred Esmond, which included the realignment of Route 178.
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La Salle County officials suspect they’ve been overcharged for body cameras and are seeking potential reimbursement. The County Board has approved the retention of outside counsel to pursue recovery of some of the $296,000 spent on 40 units from Axon Body Cameras, alleging potential violations of federal laws governing the open market. Board Member Brian Dose noted that taxpayers won’t bear the cost of the lawsuit. Chairman Don Jensen expressed discontent with board members using public comment for what he deemed campaign-related statements. The board also honored 25 volunteers from the La Salle County Emergency Management Agency, highlighting six recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Additionally, they acknowledged the outgoing administrator of the La Salle County Nursing Home, bestowed Student Excellence Awards, recognized April as National Organ and Tissue Donation Month, and tabled intergovernmental agreements on four Ottawa-area TIF districts, scheduling a reconvention for May 9 at 1 p.m.
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During the La Salle County Board meeting, members faced a contentious Tax Increment Financing (TIF) issue concerning extending four TIF district agreements with the City of Ottawa. Opting to delay approval until after the general election to allow incoming board members to review the agreements, the decision was met with concern from David Noble, Ottawa’s Economic Director, who warned of potential setbacks in business attraction. Despite his plea, the vote to postpone until February passed 15 to 11. Following this, Gelinda Heller of Peru attempted to revisit the issue, citing a misunderstanding regarding the length of the postponement period. However, her motion failed to gain sufficient support, leading to the TIF issue being tabled. Additionally, it was clarified that no county board members had attended the VIP tour of the renovated Peru hospital, as they had not been invited to the event, contrary to previous speculation.
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Utica is gearing up to initiate the bidding process later this month for the Market on Mill, a forthcoming north-end shopping plaza featuring portable retail stalls. Village President David Stewart disclosed that pending approval by the Utica Village Board in May, construction will commence promptly on the northwest corner of Mill and Church streets. With enthusiasm, village engineer Kevin Heitz affirmed the progress, while noting the forthcoming initiation of work on the water tower, scheduled to commence on July 18 and conclude no later than Aug. 21, ensuring no disruptions in water service for residents and businesses. Notably, in August 2022, the village secured a Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets capital grant of nearly $1.25 million for the plaza’s construction. Additionally, the board sanctioned various upcoming events, including a vendor permit for August Hill Winery’s Wine Club event on June 22, a road closure for Octoberfest on Sept. 28, and a car show by the La Salle County Cruisers Inc. slated for May 19.
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One driver was hospitalized following a rollover accident south of Oglesby. The incident occurred around 12:30 Thursday afternoon, prompting the response of state troopers and Oglesby firefighters to a collision between an SUV and a semi-truck on southbound Interstate 39. According to the Illinois State Police, both vehicles traveled northbound when the SUV collided with the front of the semi, causing it to roll over. The SUV driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, the driver of the semi emerged unscathed. All lanes of I-39 were reopened to traffic approximately two hours after the accident.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, is hosting free boating safety education sessions at the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center, located at 950 N. 27th Road in rural Ottawa, on April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, and Aug. 17. Each session, running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., welcomes individuals aged 11 and above, requiring completion of one course for certification. Whether new to boating or seeking a refresher, all are encouraged to attend, with no prior on-the-go experience needed. Successful completion grants an Illinois Department of Natural Resources Boat Safety Certification, valid in Iowa and Illinois. Preregistration is mandatory, with those under 16 accompanied by an adult, due to limited space. For registration, contact the Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at 815-667-4054.
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The LaSalle County Highway Department announced that the culvert replacement project on County Highway 2, also recognized as East 2351st Road or Hoxsey Road, approximately half a mile south of La Salle Street in Somonauk, will continue until May, subject to weather conditions. Since March 11, the highway has been inaccessible due to the ongoing construction. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternative routes to bypass the construction zone.
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A federal jury is ordering Amazon to pay more than 500 million dollars to a Chicago-based tech company for patent infringement. Kove accused Amazon Web Services of infringement in a lawsuit filed in 2018. The suit claimed the subsidiary of the e-commerce giant used the firm’s technology as a building block for some of its cloud services. The jury found yesterday that Amazon Web Services infringed on multiple patents invented by Kove.
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The Illinois Senate is advancing legislation that would eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for first responders seeking mental health treatment. A measure proposed by Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart would ensure police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel are exempt from any cost-sharing requirements related to mental health counseling, including insurance deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance. The legislation now moves to the state House.
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Thirty-seven-year-old Andrew Martinez from La Salle was arrested and booked into the Bureau County Jail on Wednesday after prosecutors charged him with the felony of violating an order of protection, also petitioning to deny him pretrial release. This arrest adds to Martinez’s legal woes, as he was already awaiting a potential trial in Bureau County on felony charges related to dealing marijuana. Back in October 2022, Martinez and 39-year-old Richard Policky were arrested following a raid on their business “Outer Limitz,” where drug agents allegedly discovered five pounds of marijuana, along with paraphernalia and over $10,000 in cash. Martinez is scheduled for arraignment on the order of protection violation charge on Friday, while his bench trial for the drug charges is slated to commence on May 20th. Notably, Martinez had previously sought approval from the city of La Salle to open a cannabis dispensary within their jurisdiction.
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Late Wednesday night, Spring Valley police responded to a call at an address in the 300 block of West Erie Street, leading to the arrest of 27-year-old Jonathon Cooper on charges of domestic battery. Cooper, residing at the mentioned address, was taken into custody and transported from Spring Valley to the Bureau County Jail shortly after midnight on Thursday morning. This arrest adds to Cooper’s legal troubles, as he is already the defendant in a pending domestic battery case in the same county, stemming from an incident in February.
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24-year-old Nicholas Joray of Ottawa has charges of driving on a suspended license, driving an uninsured vehicle, and driving a vehicle with a suspended registration. He was stopped by Ottawa Police Thursday at Norris Drive and Canal Street
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WEATHER:
Friday
Scattered showers before 7 am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a west-northwest wind of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Friday Night
Clear, with a low of around 40. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Jacqueline “Jackie” Bean, age 92, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, April 8th, at Pleasant View Healthcare with her loving family at her side. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, April 13th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Saturday. Interment will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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*Out of State announcement:
Retired MSgt: Roy James Wagner, 66, of Jacksonville originally from Ottawa, passed away on Monday, April 8th, at his home. A Graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 15th, at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville North Carolina with full military honors. Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville is handling all arrangements for the family.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
SOFTBALL
Ottawa 2, Addison Trail 1: At King Field in Ottawa, the host Pirates (8-5) to the nonconference triumph.
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Marquette 15, Lowpoint-Washburn 0 (4 inn.): At June Gross Field in Ottawa, the host Crusaders (6-2 overall, 4-0 Tri-County) completed the TCC sweep.
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St.Bede 7, Dwight 3: the Bruins rallied for the win over Dwight at Abbot Philip Davey Field on the campus of St. Bede Academy.
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Hall 19, Mendota 10: Hall got the win over the Trojans in a Three Rivers Conference East Division game in Mendota.
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Seneca 10, La Salle-Peru 6: the Cavaliers allowed four runs in the top of the seventh inning in a nonconference loss in La Salle.
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Newark 14, Fieldcrest 0 (5 inn.): the Knights lost a nonconference game in Newark.
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BASEBALL
Marquette 9, Roanoke-Benson/Lowpoint-Washburn 0: at Masinelli Field Cru stays undefeated overall and in the Tri-County Conference with a 9-0
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Ottawa 7, Morris 2 (5 inn.): At King Field in Ottawa, some early offense and late rain allowed the host Pirates to salvage the third game of their three-game I-8 series
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Rock Island 13, Streator 3 (5 inn.): At Rock Island, the visiting Bulldogs (4-9) were dealt the nonconference loss after surrendering a dozen runs over the opening two innings and being limited to four singles.
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Earlville 7, Somonauk 3: the Red Raiders to a Little Ten Conference victory in Somonauk.
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Dwight 7, St. Bede 2 (9 inn.): The Bruins allowed five runs in the top of the ninth inning in a Tri-County Conference loss in Peru.
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Plano 13, Newark 3 (5 inn.): At Newark, the host Norsemen (2-13) were dealt the nonconference defeat by the Reapers after surrendering a dozen runs over the opening two innings.
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Kaneland 14, LPHS 0 (5 inn.): The Knight get the victory over La Salle-Peru in an Interstate 8 Conference game at Huby Sarver Field.
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COED TRACK & FIELD
At Rock Falls: The Mendota boys finished second in a triangular, while the Trojans girls were third.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox return to Guaranteed Rate Field to begin a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds tonight. The Southsiders lost two of three during a mid-week series against divisional foe Cleveland. Chicago is off to a rough start this season, sitting in the basement of the AL Central at 2-and-10. Chris Flexen makes the start for the Southsiders tonight. The first pitch is at 6:40 PM.
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The Chicago Cubs will try to bounce back from their series loss against the Padres when they visit the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. The Cubs dropped two of three in San Diego this week and currently sit in third place in the NL Central at 7-and-5. Jordan Wicks is slated to start this evening’s contest. The first pitch is at 8:40 PM.
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The Chicago Blackhawks plod towards the end of another woeful season when they host the Nashville Predators at United Center tonight. The Hawks just lost to the Blues 5-2 on Wednesday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 51 points and a 23-50-and-5 record. Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 PM.
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The Chicago Bulls dominated the final three quarters of their 127-105 win over the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. The Bulls led by just one after the first before taking control and going up by as many as 28 in the second half. DeMar DeRozan led the way with 39 points, while Nikola Vucevic posted a double-double with 27 points and 11 boards. The Bulls clinched the ninth seed in the Play-In Round, meaning they will host Atlanta in an elimination game after the regular season. The 38-and-42 Bulls visit the Wizards tonight.
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COLLEGE SOFTBALL
IVCC 4-12, Sauk Valley 0-1: The Eagles swept an Arrowhead Conference doubleheader in Oglesby.