IDOT and law enforcement agencies across Illinois are urging drivers to be safe on the roadways over Memorial Day Weekend. Authorities are launching the “Click It or Ticket” campaign to crack down on seat belt law violators and impaired drivers. During the Memorial Day campaign, law enforcement will step up traffic safety efforts. Officials say the increase in traffic that accompanies summer holiday weekends almost always correlates to an increase in deadly accidents.
—————————————————————
The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation (SRCCF) has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Naplate Volunteer Park Board for the restoration of the Vittone Park playground, damaged by a tornado in 2017. Representing SRCCF were Pierre Alexander, Vice President, and Treasurer Tracy Bedeker, and President Reed Wilson, alongside Naplate Mayor Ross Sarti, Park Board member Cheryl Mucci, and representative Jill Nevins. The funds will replace hazardous equipment, as deemed by a recent evaluation, and contribute to the Park Board’s $35,000 fundraising goal for a new, inclusive play structure for children aged 2-12. Mayor Sarti expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing the positive impact on the community’s children.
—————————————————————–
The City of Ottawa is reminding residents and commercial property owners that its cost-sharing tree planting program is still open for participation. This initiative, aimed at enhancing urban greenery and the city’s green infrastructure, allows participants to plant two-inch trees in the parkway adjacent to their property for a $100 contribution per tree. Enrollment is first-come, first-served, and participants are encouraged to apply promptly by submitting the application form and payment. For more information, visit the City of Ottawa’s website under News and Announcements.
—————————————————————-
The Ottawa Water Department says the work in the 2000 block of Elm Lane will be completed this week. Crews will then move to the 1000 block of West Superior Street from Sanger to Poplar Streets beginning May 30th. Locations still to see work in June include the 1100 block of Sanger from West Washington to West Superior Streets, the 1000 block of West Washington Street from Sanger to Poplar, and the 100 and 200 blocks of Anita Drive from LaSalle Street to the dead-end.
—————————————————————-
Springfield judge is blocking a state election bill that gives Democrats an advantage toward keeping their legislative majorities before the November general election. The judge issued a temporary injunction pending a hearing on June 3rd. Under the measure, local political party organizations no longer appoint candidates to fill out legislative ballots where the party didn’t field a primary candidate. Governor Pritzker signed the measure into law on May 3rd.
—————————————————————–
A bill designed to further regulate funeral homes in Illinois is moving forward. The state House approved a measure this week that would require creating a tagging system with chain of custody documentation for all human remains for any death that happens in the state. The legislation is in response to the mishandling of human remains at the Heinz Funeral Home in Carlinville last year. The bill now moves to the state Senate before heading to Governor Pritzker’s desk.
——————————————————————-
A bill that caps the monthly cost of prescription inhalers at 25 dollars in Illinois is headed to Governor Pritzker’s desk. The Illinois House passed the measure, which would ban health insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage for prescription inhalers starting January 1st, 2026. Many Illinoisans with asthma currently pay between 180 dollars and 300 dollars per month for inhalers.
——————————————————————–
Northwestern University President Michael Schill will testify this morning in front of Congress. Schill will be questioned about accusations of antisemitism at his institution by the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce. The committee will focus on how Northwestern and two other universities reacted when pro-Palestinian encampments on their campuses. Several leaders of Ivy League schools resigned over backlash to their testimonies at a similar congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses in December.
———————————————————————
33-year-old Roberto Perez of Indianapolis, Indiana, has tickets from Ottawa Police for driving under the influence, illegal transportation of alcohol by a driver, operating an uninsured vehicle, and improper lane usage after a traffic stop Wednesday in the 500 block of East Etna Road.
——————————————————————–
A homeless Ottawa woman faces a charge of aggravated battery after Ottawa Police investigated an incident Tuesday in the 1100 block of East Norris Drive.
———————————————————————
Peru Police ticketed a Wenona man for driving on a revoked or suspended license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and expired registration. 56-year-old William Hendrickson was stopped Tuesday around noon at Wenzel Road and Illinois 251.
———————————————————————
22-year-old Alexander Wilkinson of Sandwich was stopped by Ottawa Police at Main and Columbus Streets Tuesday. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance by a passenger in the wrongful possession of adult-use cannabis in a motor vehicle.
——————————————————————–
26-year-old Timothy Sowins of Naplate has charges from Ottawa Police for driving under the influence, driving an uninsured motor vehicle, failure to signal, and possession of adult-use cannabis in a motor vehicle following a traffic stop Sunday at Madison and Columbus Streets.
—————————————————————–
WEATHER:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 82. The calm wind is coming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
—————————————————————–
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
—————————————————————–
OBITUARIES:
Harold Thomas Vinyard, age 63, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully with his beloved wife Eve by his side after a courageous battle with cholangiocarcinoma on Sunday, May 19th, at Pleasant View in Ottawa. Visitation for Harold Thomas Vinyard will take place on Tuesday, May 28th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Mueller Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial for Harold Thomas Vinyard will take place at St. Columba Catholic Church, at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 29th. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
—————————————————————–
Mary Beth Barton, 72, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully at Pleasant View. There are no public services for Mary Beth Barton, Ottawa Funeral Home has handled all arrangements for the family.
—————————————————————–
LOCAL SPORTS:
BASEBALL:
Marquette beats North Shore
The Marquette Crusaders dominated North Shore Country Day with a 10-0 victory in their 1A sectional opener in Elgin. This win propels Marquette into Saturday’s sectional championship game.
—————————————————————–
Interstate 8 showdown
Two Interstate 8 Conference teams are set to clash for the Class 3A La Salle-Peru Regional championship. No. 2-seeded Morris triumphed over No. 6 La Salle-Peru 10-7 in Wednesday’s first semifinal. In the second semifinal, No. 5 Ottawa overcame No. 3 Plano with a 7-3 win. Morris and the Pirates will face off in the title game at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
—————————————————————–
Bruins get the shutout win
St. Bede delivered a 7-0 shutout against Heyworth, securing their place in Saturday’s sectional championship at Illinois Wesleyan University’s Jack Horenberger Field.
—————————————————————–
SOFTBALL:
The Lady Norseman take on Serena
The Newark softball team overcame a slow start to crush Grant Park 17-0 in five innings during Wednesday’s Class 1A Woodland Sectional semifinal. The Norsemen are set to face their rival Serena at 3 p.m. on Friday in the championship game.
—————————————————————–
St. Bede Lady Bruins season ends
Despite playing nearly flawless defense and recording one more hit than Port Byron Riverdale, St. Bede softball couldn’t convert those opportunities into runs, resulting in a season-ending 2-0 loss.
—————————————————————–
The Lady Bulldogs season ends on Wednesday
Streator fell to Kankakee in the Class 3A Pontiac Regional, suffering a 3-0 defeat.
—————————————————————–
PRO SPORTS:
White Sox Get Crushed By Blue Jays
The Chicago White Sox allowed seven runs in the bottom of the second en route to a 9-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Nick Nastrini struggled in his first start since April 21st. He fell to 0-and-3 after surrendering eight earned runs and one unearned run on seven hits and six walks in three-and-a-third innings. Tommy Pham homered in the losing effort. The Southsiders are still at the bottom of the AL Central at 15-and-35. The Sox send Mike Clevinger to the mound against the Orioles tonight.
—————————————————————–
Cubs Collapse In Seventh Inning
The Chicago Cubs surrendered six runs in the top of the seventh during a 9-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. The Cubs trailed by just one entering the inning before Jose Cuas gave up a pair of home runs. Justin Steele gave up five runs on six hits in six-and-a-third innings and was charged with his second loss. The Cubs have dropped two of their last three, but they remain in second place in the NL Central at 27-and-23. Ben Brown starts for the Cubs against the Braves this afternoon.
—————————————————————–
Chicago Sky Visit Liberty
The Chicago Sky will try to get above .500 when they visit the New York Liberty at Barclays Center this evening. The Sky are 1-and-1 after earning an 83-74 win over the Dallas Wings last Saturday. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM.