IDOT says lanes that have been closed for construction work are being reopened as much as possible for Memorial Day weekend travel to minimize any disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended beginning at 3:00 this afternoon and will remain open until Midnight Monday. Some lane closures will have to remain in place and drivers are being reminded to observe the work zone speed limits, be alert to changing lane conditions, and watch out for those workers who may be at construction sites.
————————————————-
Memorial Day in Ottawa Monday will include the annual Ottawa Memorial Association events. Members will gather at 9:00 a.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at LaSalle Street and Woodward Memorial Drive for a ceremony to salute Vietnam War veterans. The ceremony will include prayer, placement of a wreath, the lowering of flags to half-staff, a rifle salute, and Taps. At the Main Street Fox River Bridge, the Navy Memorial Presentation begins at 9:15 with Prayer, a brief ceremony, and the dropping of the wreath, followed by a 21-gun salute, and the playing of Taps. Then a parade from East Main Street, across the bridge, and onto Columbus Street will end at the War Memorial on the north side of Washington Square Park about 10:00 a.m. The parade marshals are Matt Weaver and Bob Olson. The Ottawa High School Band will play and march, as well. There will be remarks from Katie Trocoli from the Memorial Association, keynote speaker Art Foltynewicz, Shepard Middle School 8th Grader Emily Pierre will read her winning essay in the Americanism contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, and the ceremony will conclude with a 21-gun salute, and the playing of Taps. The public is invited afterward to American Legion Post 33 for a sloppy Joe luncheon.
————————————————-
Wednesday, LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office Investigators, assisted by the High Tech Crimes Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, arrested a Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, man on three counts of possessing child pornography at a short-term rental property in Mendota. 25-year-old Robert A Dyer was initially held at the LaSalle County Jail without bond but was released the following day with a notice to appear in court. The investigators are part of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Also on Wednesday, 37-year-old Jamie B. Danley of Mendota was arrested by the US Marshal’s Great Lakes Regional Task Force on a no-bond warrant for home invasion and aggravated battery. Danley was taken into custody without incident and transported to jail. Danley was connected to a home invasion in the 4100 block of East 3rd Road on May 14th that was investigated by the Mendota Police Department and LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office and the State’s Attorney’s Office continue to investigate the incident.
————————————————-
Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team investigations have led to charges against three women. 54-year-old Tracie Vietti of Streator was arrested by TRIDENT agents and charged with one count of permitting the unlawful use of a building, alleging she used her home to be a venue for drug sales. Vietti is released with a notice to appear in court. A second investigation resulted in the arrest of 26-year-old Kaitlyn Galas of Tonica on two charges of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Galas is alleged to have delivered cocaine to TRIDENT agents in Peru on two dates. 30-year-old Hendi Valdes of Peru has two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance after two instances of delivering cocaine to TRIDENT agents in Peru.
————————————————-
Several social media sources are reporting a traffic fatality on I-39 between the Oglesby exits which caused a closure of the highway for a time. Reportedly, the fatal accident involved a motorcycle rider. No confirmation has been received yet from Illinois State Police or the LaSalle County Coroner’s Office.
————————————————-
United Way of Eastern LaSalle County says plans are in the works for the 33rd annual Labor of Love on Saturday, October 5th. The applications are available now for essential home repairs, provided at no cost, benefiting seniors, the disabled, veterans, and homeowners with fixed incomes. Application forms are available at local financial institutions, city and township offices, and the United Way office at 601 State Street in Ottawa. Eligibility requirements are residency within the service area of United Way of Eastern LaSalle County which includes Ottawa, Naplate, Marseilles, Seneca, Harding, Serena, Sheridan, Leland, Wedron, Norway, Dayton, and Grand Ridge. The deadline for applications to be returned is Thursday, August 1st. More information, including details on how to become a Labor of Love volunteer, can be found at unitedwayelc.org.
————————————————-
Illinois lawmakers are still working on passing a budget as the spring session is scheduled to end today. As of last night, no budget agreement has been reached. The budget year is set to begin July 1st. Governor Pritzker has faced pushback from Democrats on more than 900 million dollars in tax hikes he claims are needed to balance his proposed 52-billion-dollar spending plan. State lawmakers are advancing a bill that would provide protections for reproductive healthcare information. The Illinois Senate passed a bill yesterday that would ensure that information and health records for reproductive health care performed in Illinois wouldn’t be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Local governments would also be banned from imposing civil or criminal liability against a person or provider who received reproductive or gender-affirming care in Illinois. The bill heads to Governor Pritzker’s desk.
————————————————-
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is applauding state lawmakers for approving legislation that would increase accessibility to the Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program. The program provides reimbursement to eligible victims of violent crime and their families, helping to pay expenses that include hospital and medical charges and funeral and burial costs. The legislation would expand the number of individuals who would be eligible and reduce barriers for victims of violent crime and their families. The measure now heads to the governor’s desk.
————————————————–
Northwestern University President Michael Schill is defending his decision to negotiate an agreement with pro-Palestinian protesters to end an encampment on his campus. While testifying yesterday at a Congressional hearing, Schill said they chose to engage in dialogue rather than force. When questioned about allegations of antisemitic hate on campus, NU’s president said they would investigate any claim of discrimination. Schill was one of three university leaders called before Congress.
————————————————–
No injuries were reported after a two-vehicle crash in Mission Township just after 4:00 Thursday near U.S. 52 and East 2603rd Road. 59-year-old Steven Barnette of Sheridan was cited for failure to obey a stop sign after colliding with a vehicle driven by 74-year-old Richard Tuntland of Sheridan.
————————————————–
88-year-old Edwin Pitstick of Ottawa was cited for failure to wear a seat belt after a traffic stop just after 2:00 a.m. on Thursday near Columbus Street and Norris Drive in Ottawa.
————————————————–
Thursday afternoon LaSalle County Deputies cited 20-year-old Lillianna Bermudez of Tonica for operating an uninsured motor vehicle after a traffic stop in Eden Township near Illinois 251 and North 19th Road.
————————————————–
A 33-year-old Ottawa woman has a citation from LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies after a traffic stop Wednesday morning at 9:00. Sarah Berg was stopped at Madison and Columbus Streets in Ottawa. And, just a short time later, Mark Sailles of Sheridan was cited at the same location for failure to wear a seat belt.
—————————————————————–
WEATHER:
Today
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Breezy, with a south-southeast wind of 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly before 10 pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low of around 56. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west-northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible
—————————————————————–
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:
Ottawa Team’s Run Ends at the State
In suburban Chicago, the Ottawa doubles team faced a challenging end to their season at the IHSA State Tournament. Despite their best efforts, they concluded their campaign with a 0-2 record in Thursday’s matches.
—————————————————————–
PRO SPORTS:
White Sox Lose To O’s
The Chicago White Sox opened their series against the Baltimore Orioles with an 8-6 loss at Guaranteed Rate Field yesterday. The Southsiders surrendered four runs in the fourth and three more in the sixth during the loss. Chicago made it close with four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Sox left the tying run on base to end the game. Mike Clevinger was charged with his third loss after allowing five runs on seven hits in four-and-two-thirds innings. Chicago remains at the bottom of the AL Central at 15-and-36. Chris Flexen starts for the Sox against Baltimore tonight.
—————————————————————–
Cubs Get Blanked By Braves
The Chicago Cubs had just four hits during a 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field. Chicago gave up a run in the fifth and two more in the eighth to drop the rubber match of their series with Atlanta. Hayden Wesneski was charged with his third loss out of the bullpen. Chicago has dropped three of its last four, but the Cubs remain in second place in the NL Central at 27-and-24. Shota Imanaga starts for the Northsiders against St. Louis tonight.
—————————————————————–
Sky Take Down Liberty
The Chicago Sky handed the New York Liberty their first loss with a 90-81 win at Barclays Center. The Sky trailed by one in the middle of the fourth quarter before going on a 17-3 run to put the game out of reach. Marina Mabrey scored 21 points in the victory, while Michaela Onyenwere and Angel Reese each finished with 13 points. The 2-and-1 Sky host Connecticut tomorrow night.
—————————————————————–
Bears Continue OTA’s
The Chicago Bears are wrapping up their first week of OTA’s. The team had its third and final practice session of the week from Halas Hall yesterday. Caleb Williams reportedly struggled a bit during yesterday’s session. The Bears will return to Lake Forest next week with practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.