Traffic has been impacted since the pre-dawn hours on Illinois 251 between Peru and Mendota. Vehicles are reportedly being moved off the highway between North 34th and North 37th Roads. Unconfirmed reports indicate a vehicle/pedestrian accident around 2:30 this morning on Illinois 251 near the Nicor plant.
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The identity of the person who died in the three-vehicle accident north of Mendota during Tuesday morning’s rainstorm has been released. LaSalle County Coroner Rich Ploch says 64-year-old James Staublien of LaSalle died at the scene due to injuries sustained in the accident on Illinois 251.
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Traffic through the immediate downtown Ottawa area on LaSalle Street and the Veterans Bridge Saturday morning due to the 10th annual Starved Rock Country Marathon. Southbound traffic will shift off of LaSalle Street north of Washington Square Park and move to Clinton Street. Also, the far west lane of Veterans Bridge will be closed off for runners. Southbound traffic on Veterans Bridge will be halted for a short period as the runners begin the run shortly after 7:00 a.m.
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IDOT says construction on U.S. 6 through LaSalle and Peru will begin on Monday, May 13th. The specific work zone will be from the bridge over the Little Vermillion River in LaSalle to the 3500 block of E Street west of Peru. The work consists of road patching, milling, and resurfacing; reconstructing of ADA sidewalk ramps; traffic signal improvements; drainage repairs; and installing raised reflectors. Also, the pavement markings between West Street and Monks Avenue in Peru will be reconfigured from two lanes in each direction to a single lane in each direction with a bidirectional turn lane. The $6.4-million project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2025. Existing traffic signals will be placed on timers, which may cause increased wait times. Motorists can also expect delays and occasional slow or stopped traffic.
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During April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month enforcement campaign, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office issued 61 citations for hands-free law violations, 17 citations for No Insurance, 34 citations for Expired Registration, 36 citations for Speeding, 12 citations for Failure to Wear Seat Belt and 34 other traffic violation citations. Sheriff Adam Diss says despite the campaign ending, deputies will continue efforts to stop motorists from engaging in the deadly behavior of distracted driving. LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with the Illinois State Police, local law enforcement, and highway safety partners for this enforcement effort. The Illinois distracted driving campaign was funded with federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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While the specific agenda hasn’t been released, Ottawa Commissioner of Public Safety and Health, Tom Ganiere, says in a Facebook post the special Ottawa City Council meeting with representatives from OSF is planned for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Central School. The topic of the special session will focus on OSF’s plans to replace the current St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center with a new, smaller hospital. The meeting is open to the public and will include one hour for questions and comments.
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A formal statement posted by Marquette Academy Thursday says a loan that was extended to the school by the Marquette Foundation in August of 2004 has been paid back in full. The financial assistance was provided to the school at a time of serious financial difficulty. The repayment of the debt was made possible through a Trust of which Marquette Academy is the beneficiary. The school has received several generous distributions from the Trust whose Grantor, who is now deceased, wished to remain anonymous.
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At the State Capitol in Springfield on Tuesday, the Senate Executive Committee held a subject matter hearing on 38th District State Senator Sue Rezin’s legislation which would improve accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers in public spaces. Senate Bill 2908, known as Sami’s Law, as currently written, would require certain public buildings, the State Capitol building, and State rest stops to install at least one publicly accessible adult changing station if the building is constructed two or more years after the effective date of the Act. During the hearing, the Morris Republican expressed her willingness to work with stakeholders to make amendments to the current version of Sami’s Law to minimize concerns. Sami’s Law was created as an initiative of one of Senator Rezin’s
district staffers. The bill is named after Renee Abraham’s 26-year-old daughter, who suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
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The Illinois House is advancing Governor Pritzker’s initiative to consolidate early childhood services under a single agency. The state Senate passed a bill yesterday that would pave the way for the creation of a new state Department of Early Childhood. Officials say the new department would streamline access to services for families as well as management for the state. The legislation now moves to Pritzker’s desk.
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Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich continues to support former President Donald Trump. The disgraced former governor backed Trump during a visit last weekend at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Blagojevich served as governor from 2003 through 2009, when he was removed from office for corruption. The Democrat served nearly eight years in prison for federal corruption charges before he was released in 2020 after President Trump commuted his sentence. Blagojevich endorsed Trump that year.
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WEATHER:
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
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Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 am, then a slight chance of showers between 1 am and 2 am. Mostly cloudy, then gradual clearing toward daybreak, with a low of around 50. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
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OBITUARIES:
Larry Dean Kane Sr., 75, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, May 8th, at his home surrounded by his family. A graveside service will take place at 10:00 am at St. Columba Cemetery on Monday, May 13th. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Karl Laxfoss Howardson Jr, 55, of Seneca went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 7th, after a brief illness. A Celebration of Life for Karl will be at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home in Seneca, on Wednesday, May 15th with the visitation from 9-11 am and his service at 11 am with full military honors to follow.
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Lori Ann Girard, 53, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, May 8th, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 16th, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17th, at 10:00 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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PRO SPORTS:
The White Sox held on for a 3-2, series-opening win over the Guardians in Chicago. Andrew Vaughn, Paul DeJong, and Tommy Pham drove in all of Chicago’s runs over the first two innings. Erick Fedde earned the win after allowing six hits over six scoreless innings. Michael Kopech notched his fourth save of the season as the Sox remain last in the AL Central at 10-and-28. The Southsiders send Garrett Crochet to the mound against the Guardians tonight. WCMY will have a 6 pm pre-game and a 6:40 pm first pitch.
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The Chicago Cubs will try to get back in the win column when they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park tonight. The Cubs lost a three-game series against the San Diego Padres earlier this week. Chicago is in second place in the NL Central at 22-and-16. Javier Assad will man the rubber for the Northsiders tonight. The first pitch is at 5:40 PM.
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The Bears coaching staff will get its first look at their newest players this weekend. The rookie mini-camp starts today at Halas Hall. First-round draft picks Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze will both be in attendance as they begin learning Chicago’s offensive and defensive systems. The two-day camp runs through Saturday.