Residents of the Illinois Valley and the Starved Rock region are urged to stay informed as severe weather approaches Tuesday night, with forecasters predicting thunderstorms and heavy rainfall from a strong low-pressure system moving across southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. While the risk of severe weather, rated Level 2 out of 5, primarily threatens Iowa and the Quad Cities, the potential for hail up to 1 inch in diameter and strong winds reaching 60 mph exists across the region. Although river flooding isn’t an immediate concern, precautions are advised, especially for areas like Utica commemorating the 20th anniversary of a devastating tornado. Utica Police Chief James Mandujano advises residents to stay vigilant, tune into local bulletins, and utilize emergency preparedness resources such as the La Salle County emergency app, which provides crucial information and assistance in planning for natural disasters and crises.
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A boat in La Salle Lake began sinking, prompting the Illinois State Police to be notified just before 10 a.m. on Sunday. Situated near the power plant in eastern La Salle County, the distressed boater managed to beach their sinking vessel on a levee before a good Samaritan transported a conservation officer to the scene. It was discovered that a malfunctioning pump caused the issue. Seneca firefighters promptly arrived and towed the boat to safety. Thankfully, the fisherman emerged unharmed, although they were cited for lacking proper boat registration.
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Ottawa has launched a cost-sharing tree-planting initiative aimed at replenishing urban greenery lost to recent natural disasters like tornadoes and Derechos. Residents of Ottawa are eligible to apply for up to two two-inch trees to be planted in the berm adjacent to their homes, each priced at a reduced rate of a hundred dollars, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the USDA Forest Service facilitated through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Administered by The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, this program underscores the vital role of urban trees in enhancing water and air quality, mitigating floods and heat, and fostering wildlife habitats. To participate you can contact the Ottawa City Hall.
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Oglesby city officials are considering applying for a grant aimed at rehabilitating approximately twelve homes in need of upgrades, as discussed during a recent meeting with Connie Buchanan from the North Central Illinois Council of Governments. The grant, totaling $650,000, targets low-income, elderly, and disabled residents, prioritizing essential improvements over cosmetic enhancements. Mayor Jason Curran expressed interest in the initiative, while the council remains divided over proposed behavior-conduct and disciplinary policies awaiting review by a labor attorney. Commissioner Tony Stefanelli’s draft proposal, intended to align elected officials’ conduct with municipal employee standards, sparked debate over language concerns, particularly regarding free speech and officials’ governing authority. Despite disagreement, the measures were forwarded for review in a 3-1 vote, with Curran dissenting.
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Last summer’s dry weather caused Spring Valley’s annual Independence Day fireworks to coincide with the GROW Spring Valley’s Friday Night Market, resulting in one of the city’s most significant and memorable celebrations to date. As the Spring Valley City Council deliberates on the possibility of a repeat occurrence, the success of last year’s joint event prompts consideration. Initially moved from downtown to Kirby Park, adjacent to Hall High School, the fireworks merged seamlessly with the market, drawing praise from Alderman Dave Pellegrini for their collective triumph. Now, GROW Spring Valley proposes keeping the fireworks integrated with the market but relocating them to Coal Miners Park, sparking debate among council members about tradition versus innovation. Pellegrini voices concerns about consistency and audience accessibility, advocating for maintaining the status quo. However, the council opts to defer the decision for further discussion. Additionally, the council approves donations to community events, receives positive feedback on police body cameras, addresses infrastructure issues, and postpones deliberations on City Hall’s roof replacement bids. Mayor Melanie Malooley-Thompson’s proclamations for National Safe Boating Week and Motorcycle Awareness Month are also endorsed.
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Residents in the Streator area are invited to participate in a drive-thru prescription drug take-back event hosted by Live Well Streator at City Park from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27. This event offers a safe opportunity to dispose of unwanted or expired prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and syringes in sealed containers, with labels removed or personal information obscured. Proper disposal prevents water supply and environmental contamination caused by flushing or throwing away medications. For those unable to attend, a drug disposal box is available inside the Streator
Police Department’s lobby at 204 S. Bloomington St. near the Oak Street entrance, ensuring the safe disposal of unused drugs and syringes in sealed containers to safeguard lives and the environment.
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If you’ve got old electronics cluttering your space, mark your calendar for the upcoming La Salle County Electronics Recycling event in Ottawa this Saturday, or catch the next one on October 5th. These drop-offs, held at the La Salle County Government Center on Etna Road, require pre-registration and proof of residency in La Salle County. Secure your spot by registering with the county online. The link to register is in the news story on the WCMY website and Facebook page. https://lasallerecycling.as.me/schedule/fb829983/appointment/13294982/calendar/9822789
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Over the past weekend, state parks experienced a surge in visitors due to the delightful sunny and warm weather. Conservation Police reported that approximately 40,000 individuals enjoyed Starved Rock State Park, while about 10,000 ventured to Matthiessen State Park. Despite the considerable influx of people, officers received minimal calls for assistance, and fortunately, there were no significant incidents or medical emergencies. However, Wire mentioned that Conservation Police had to relocate a car show at Starved Rock to ensure smooth park operations.
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The state is proposing a program that would eliminate one billion dollars in medical debt in Illinois. The ten-million-dollar investment would get rid of medical debt for 340-thousand low-income Illinoisans. Cook County has already implemented a similar program for county residents, assisting over 200-thousand residents and eliminating nearly 350 million dollars in debt.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation is receiving more than eight million dollars in federal grant money to reduce flooding on I-290. The funding is part of a new initiative to strengthen transportation infrastructure during severe weather events. The grant is matched by a 15-million-dollar contribution from IDOT and one point-two-million dollars from Cook County. The 25-million-dollar investment is designed to cut down future maintenance and construction costs on I-290.
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Friday night in Bureau County, Sheriff’s Deputies apprehended 55-year-old Charles Mecum from Princeton, accusing him of causing up to $300 in property damage in the 100 block of West Main Street in Tiskilwa, specifically at the Indian Valley Inn. Mecum now faces a charge of criminal property damage.
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On Sunday night just before 10, deputies responded to a disturbance at Ecky’s Tap in the 100 block of Main Street in Wyanet, where 31-year-old Barry Cade from Neponset was arrested and charged with battery.
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42-year-old Heather R. Reynolds of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Sunday in the 200 block of East Superior Street on a charge of domestic battery.
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A 35-year-old Ottawa man was picked up by Ottawa Police Sunday in the 1200 block of Douglas Street on a LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court. Cory J. Schuning was wanted on a charge of driving on a suspended license.
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40-year-old Joshua L. Candela of Ottawa has a charge of domestic battery from Ottawa Police after an incident Saturday at 1002 Parks Lane.
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Cameron Harshaw of Ottawa was charged by Ottawa Police with domestic battery following an incident in the 400 block of Washington Street Saturday.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Breezy, with a southeast wind of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Tuesday Night
Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 am. Low around 63. Breezy, with a south wind of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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OBITUARIES:
Anna Mae Christie, 91 of Dayton Twp. passed away Thursday at Pleasant View Luther Home. Winterrowd Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements, there is no full obituary for Anna just the announcement of her passing.
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William “BZ” Zwanzig, Jr., 89, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, April 13th, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 19th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Baseball
Seneca 11, Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell 0 (5 inn.): At Seneca, Fighting Irish pitcher Austin Aldridge fired a no-hitter with no walks and 12 strikeouts to help his team improve to 12-4 overall and 5-2 in Tri-County Conference play.
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Sycamore 17, Ottawa 7: At Sycamore, the Pirates scored five runs in the first inning, but the Spartans plated six in their half and kept adding on in the Interstate 8 Conference contest.
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Streator 10, Peotone 1: At Peotone, the Bulldogs capture the Illinois Central Eight Conference contest.
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Serena 10, Earlville 2: At Serena, the Huskers in the Little Ten Conference win over the Red Raiders (1-4, 1-3).
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Newark 11, Somonauk 7: At Newark, the Norsemen (3-15, 3-2) scored six runs in the sixth in the LTC victory over the Bobcats (2-8, 2-3).
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St. Bede 4, Roanoke-Benson/Lowpoint-Washburn 1: The Bruins scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to pull out a Tri-County Conference victory in Peru.
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Mendota 8, Princeton 7: The Trojans earned a Three Rivers Conference East Division victory in Princeton.
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Morris 9, La Salle-Peru 0: the Cavaliers were shut out in an Interstate 8 Conference game in Morris.
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Softball
Kaneland 3, Ottawa 0: At Maple Park, the Knights scored all three runs in the second dropping the Pirates to 11-6 overall and 1-2 in I-8 play.
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St. Bede 12, Lowpoint-Washburn/Roanoke-Benson 0 (5 inn.): the Bruins rolled to a Tri-County Conference victory in Peru.
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La Salle-Peru 6, Morris 0: the Cavaliers to an Interstate 8 Conference victory in Morris.
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Streator 1, Peotone 0: At Peotone, the Bulldogs get the ICE victory.
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Marquette 2, Henry-Senachwine 0: At June Gross Field, the Crusaders (7-2, 5-0) scored one run in the first and one in the sixth in the T-CC win.
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Serena 12, Earlville 0 (5 inn.): At Serena, the Huskers rolled to the LTC win over the Red Raiders to improve to 7-4 overall and 3-0 in league play.
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Newark 10, Somonauk/Leland 0 (5 inn.): At Newark, the Norsemen improved to 14-2 overall and 4-0 in the LTC with a win over the Bobcats.
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Princeton 14, Mendota 4 (5 inn): the Tigresses to a Three Rivers Conference East Division victory in Princeton.
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Newman 10, Hall 5: the Red Devils lost a Three Rivers Conference East Division game in Sterling.
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Boys tennis
Streator 4, Limestone 0: At Streator, the Bulldogs earned their first dual win of the season
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Girls soccer
Streator 4, Princeton 1: At the James Street Rec Area, the host Bulldogs notched a senior-night victory
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Track and Field
Seneca boys and girls each win their multi-team event: At Seneca, the Fighting Irish captured first place in both the boys and girls meet.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox have been shut out for the sixth time this season following a 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox managed just four hits in the losing effort. Nick Nastrini was charged with his first loss after striking out five and allowing two runs on three hits in five innings. The 2-and-14 Southsiders send Jonathan Cannon to the mound against Kansas City tonight. In other club news, the Sox activated Eloy Jimenez from the ten-day injured list yesterday
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The Chicago Cubs opened up their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 3-2, 11-inning win at Chase Field. Nico Hoerner tied the game by scoring on a wild pitch in the ninth inning before driving in the go-ahead run with a single in the 11th. Michael Busch hit his sixth home run of the season in the victory, while Keegan Thompson earned the win in relief. The 10-and-6 Cubs send Kyle Hendricks to the mound against the D-Backs tonight. In other club news, the Cubs placed outfielder Seiya Suzuki on the ten-day injured list with an oblique strain yesterday.
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The Chicago Blackhawks play their penultimate game of the season when they face the Vegas Golden Nights at T-Mobile Arena tonight. The Blackhawks are coming off a 4-2 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes in their final home contest of the year last Sunday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 51 points and a 23-52-and-5 record. Tonight’s game begins at 9:00 PM.
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The Chicago Bulls are getting ready for their Play-In Game against the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow. The Bulls finished the NBA season as the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference at 39-43, and they will host the nine-against-ten contest. The winner of tomorrow’s game will play one more game against either the 76ers or the Heat with a chance to nab the eighth seed in the Playoffs. The loser will be eliminated. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 8:30 PM at the United Center.