Brian Dose, a LaSalle County Board member representing District 21 in South Ottawa who is also the Democratic candidate for County Board Chairman, is looking to move forward the effort to bring broadband access to all rural areas of the county. Dose plans to begin developing a working group he calls the “Connect LaSalle County Commission”. The plan, as outlined by Dose, would involve asking IT professionals throughout the county to give input into how to use and leverage the I-Fiber money, now in the hands of a private entity, in the best way possible for our County. Referencing a comment from former LaSalle County Board Chairman Jerry Hicks, Dose says broadband access for all county residents can now be possible with a renewed emphasis on bipartisanship, vision, and initiative.
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The Ottawa Farmers and Makers Market kicked off its season on Saturday, June 1st, with 15 vendors who braved the rainy weather to share their delicious produce and creative products. The market is excited to announce that it has a total of 25 vendors signed up throughout the season. Bill Cunico, representing Cu Biee Hive Products, is also serving as the new Market Manager. The market, open each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offers a wide variety of produce and products, inviting community members and tourists to enjoy the ambiance of the old-fashioned outdoor market. This coming Saturday, June 8th, a special ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the official opening of the Market Season. Coinciding with the Pride Fest festivities, the market will be temporarily relocated to the 200 Block of Jackson, just west of the regular location. Visitors can look forward to a special giveaway during the event. Be sure to stop by and visit the market for a chance to win! And, the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce an innovative and fun-filled celebration, “Rock the Block!” This inaugural event will take place on July 31st in Washington Park from 5 to 8 p.m. Attendees can enjoy a variety of block party activities, including an entertaining dunk tank, safe axe throwing, delicious food and drinks, and live music from a fantastic band. Tickets are available now and can be reserved by visiting the Chamber’s website at www.ottawachamberillinois.com
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The City of Ottawa’s Volunteer Fair is next Monday, June 10th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the gymnasium of the new Ottawa YMCA on the riverfront. After the resounding success of their Volunteer Workshop earlier in April, held at the City Hall Council Chambers, the city recognized the need for a larger venue to accommodate the growing interest in volunteer opportunities within the community. The free event will be in an open-house format with tables dedicated to individual volunteer organizations looking for help.
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The LaSalle County Highway Department says Hoxsey Road in Northville Township will be closed later this morning for a culver repair. The work on County Highway 2, also known as East 2351st Road, begins Monday, June 10th, a quarter-mile north of North 2225th Road. This location will not be closed until the culvert replacement on County Highway 2 near North 45th Road is open to traffic. The work is expected to take two weeks, weather permitting. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes around the construction site.
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One person is dead and three others are hurt after two semi-trailers collided on I-55 near Lincoln. The accident happened early yesterday when the driver of a semi lost control, drove through the median and hit a second semi head-on. The three victims who survived were sent to the hospital. The interstate was shut down for several hours following the wreck.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health is declaring that the largest measles outbreak to affect the state since 1990 is over. No new cases have been reported in Northeast Illinois for more than 42 days. Nearly 70 cases were reported during the outbreak, which started March 7th. The vast majority were linked to a Chicago shelter for new arrivals. Cases eventually extended beyond Chicago to suburban Cook County, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.
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The Illinois EPA and health department are reminding people to use caution in Illinois waterways this summer when harmful algal blooms. Blue-green algae are microscopic organisms that naturally occur in lakes, streams, and ponds. Rapid and expansive growth of blue-green algae is referred to as a bloom. Some blooms produce toxic chemicals that can cause sickness or other health effects in exposed people and pets.
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More former juvenile detainees are making claims they were sexually abused at youth centers across Illinois. Lawsuits brought by dozens of plaintiffs accuse the Illinois Department of Correction and Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice of failing to protect young people from being sexually abused by state employees for decades. Some of the plaintiffs accused the same staffers of being abusers. This adds to abuse allegations made in another suit filed last month.
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An Illinois man is pleading guilty to assaulting officers during the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol. William Lewis of suburban Burbank entered a guilty plea yesterday to a felony charge of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and will be sentenced in December. Prosecutors say Lewis traveled to Washington, DC to attend a rally on January 6th, 2021. Afterwards, Lewis made his way to the West Plaza, which was overrun with rioters. He sprayed streams of wasp and hornet spray at police officers before heading to the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol building and using a stolen police baton to break a large window.
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A homeless Peru man has several charges after an incident late Saturday night. 28-year-old Isael Catamaxca Cagal was stopped by Peru Police at 4th and Pike Streets and given two counts of driving under the influence, disobeying a stop sign, no valid driver’s license, operating an uninsured vehicle, and resisting, obstructing and attempting to disarm a peace officer.
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WEATHER:
Today
Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
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Tonight
Showers and thunderstorms are likely before 1 am, then showers likely, and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 69. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west-southwest in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three-quarters and one inch possible.
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OBITUARIES:
Annette Walters, 70, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, June 1st, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, with her loving family by her side. Visitation for Annette Walters will be held on Wednesday, June 5th, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A visitation for Annette Walters will also be held from 10:00 am until the time of service on Thursday, June 6th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa. A funeral ceremony for Annette Walters will follow at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church, and burial will be at a later date.
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Pearl Ann (Brownfield) Scherer, 87, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, May 30th, at Lightways Hospice in Joliet with her loving family by her side. A visitation for Pearl Ann (Brownfield) Scherer will be held on Friday, June 7th, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial for Pearl Ann (Brownfield) Scherer will take place on Saturday, June 8th, at 10:30 am, at St. Columba Church. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery at a later date.
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Marion L. Kahon, 84, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, May 31st, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. A celebration of life for Marion L. Kahon will be held on June 15th, at Ed’s home the time will be announced on his Facebook. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Roger Pratt, 66, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, May 31st, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Funeral services will be at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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SPORTS:
Cubs Host White Sox Tonight
The Cubs host their crosstown rival tonight. The team squares off against the White Sox for the first of two games at Wrigley Field. The Cubbies are coming off a series loss to the Reds and have lost four of their last five games. The team sits third in the NL Central at 29-and-31. The White Sox have lost 11 straight following a sweep at the hands of Milwaukee. The Sox are last in the AL Central at 15-and-45.
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Bears Begin Mandatory Minicamp Today
The Bears are gearing up for a mandatory minicamp. The team kicks off the next phase of its offseason workout today. The team wrapped up organized team activities on Friday before taking the weekend off. Chicago is one of the first teams in the league to start a mandatory minicamp this early. First-overall pick Caleb Williams is expected to lead the first-team offense throughout the three-day session.
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Chicago Sky Host Liberty Tonight
The Sky hit the hardwood again tonight. The team tips off against the Liberty from Wintrust Arena. Chicago is coming off a close loss to Indiana where Chennedy Carter led the team with 19 points off the bench. Marina Mabrey sunk 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Sky slipped to 3-and-4 on the season. Chicago is fourth in the Eastern Conference, while New York sits second at 7-and-2.
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New Sports Network Will Air Chicago Games
Fans of Chicago sports are about to have a new way to watch their favorite teams. The Chicago Sports Network announced Monday that it will launch its new platform in October and will air more than 300 Bulls, White Sox, and Blackhawks games. The channel will also include pregame, postgame, and other sports coverage 24 hours a day. The network will cover most of Illinois and reach parts of Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. If approved by the leagues, the network will be available through traditional cable providers and streaming services.