The final weekend of Ottawa’s Friendship Days features the downtown sidewalk sales today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Outdoor Craft and Vendors Show is from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. today, tomorrow, and Sunday in the Woodward Memorial Parking Lot above Riverfront Park. Friday’s entertainment includes Gray’s School of Dance presentation of “Let’s Celebrate” from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. on the Jordan Block Stage in the 100 block of West Main Street followed by the final Jordan Block Jams of the summer with Fueled By Whiskey playing from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. The food and beverage offerings open at 7 p.m. with Flo’s and Bertha’s food trucks plus Cat’s Eye as the drink sponsor. Saturday includes the Canal Days events from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, Reddick Mansion and the I & M Canal Toll House. There’s also an old-fashioned ice cream social with cake, ice cream and beverages from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Washington Square Park. The 40th annual LaSalle County Cruisers Car Show will be along Albin-Stevens Drive from 8 a.m. Saturday morning until 1 p.m. Music In The Park Saturday at 6 p.m. features the band, Sealed With A Kiss, and Labra’s Food Truck. Sunday includes the T-Swift Dance Park in Riverfront Park from noon to 3 p.m. while the Ottawa Police Department offers Child Identification Kits between noon and 1 p.m. The final music event of Friendship Days is a Gospel program in Washington Park from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. featuring Heirborn, a group from Dixon. Also locally, Streator Fest continues through Sunday in Northpoint Plaza with a carnival, food, a beer garden, and music performances by various bands, and the Taste of the Illinois Valley runs through Sunday at Peru’s Centennial Park.
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IVCC is offering two free FAFSA completion workshops next week. College financial aid advisers will be available for assistance Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the main Oglesby campus and Wednesday, Aug. 7, at the Ottawa Center. Both sessions will begin at 4 p.m. and last three hours. The FAFSA, or federal financial aid application, is used by colleges and universities to determine eligibility for financial aid, grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans. These workshops help students and their families decide whether they are eligible for aid and help participants complete their application. Advisors will also remind filers about key dates in the process since missed deadlines can impact the aid received. Participants should bring the Federal Student Aid ID they’ve established after creating an account on studentaid.gov and a copy of their 2022 federal income tax forms for all contributors who provide financial information on the FAFSA form. Participants will also receive refreshments and $50 IVCC campus bookstore gift cards will supplies last. For more information call 815-224-0438.
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Ottawa Police arrested 20-year-old Angelique Robinson of Blue Island on Thursday, Aug. 1. Robinson was arrested at the intersection of Adams St. and Erikson St. on an outstanding failure to appear warrant from the Rockford Police Department.
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A homeless man was arrested for driving without a license and insurance. Ottawa Police arrested 34-year-old Trinity D. Garbutt for the charges in the 600 block of West Marquette St. yesterday, Aug. 1.
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U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is leading an effort to strengthen police accountability and transparency following last month’s deadly shooting of Sonya Massey. The Hoffman Estates Democrat is leading a group of colleagues in re-introducing legislation that encourages improved training for police officers and the use of independent investigation and prosecution to eliminate inherent conflicts of interest. Duckworth’s re-introduction of her Police Training and Independent Review Act comes after former deputy Sean Grayson shot and killed Massey in her home on July 6. Grayson is charged with murder in the incident.
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Governor Pritzker is a finalist to possibly be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in her presidential campaign. Pritzker was reportedly interviewed twice this week by Harris’ vetting team. Other contenders include Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also in the running. Harris is set to kick off a tour through battleground states with her yet-to-be-named running mate on Tuesday in Pennsylvania.
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U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is pushing legislation to fund future quantum research at the U.S. Department of Energy. Durbin and fellow U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a measure that would advance the country’s capacity to invest in quantum information science and research and development. The measure would authorize $2.5 billion in funding over the next five years.
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A man convicted of a deadly 2022 shooting in Bloomington is being sentenced to eight decades in prison. Jaylin Bones received the sentence this week after a McLean County jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated battery with a firearm. Police say officers found Timothy Manns shot to death inside an apartment on West Jefferson on January 24, 2022.
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One person is hurt following a stabbing in Peoria. Police say a man was found stabbed last night near Livingston and Humboldt Streets. His injury is considered non-life-threatening. Officers are searching for a suspect.
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St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy universities are looking to join forces. Both are entering into a new strategic agreement designed to expand academic offerings, athletic programs and innovative opportunities for students at both universities. The agreement is subject to approval to ultimately combine the two universities. St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy began exploring the potential for a strategic combination late last year.
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Several former Bears will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend. Steve “Mongo” McMichael, Devin Hester and Julius Peppers were elected to the Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2024. McMichael played 13 seasons with Chicago and was part of the 1985 Super Bowl Championship defense. Hester played eight of his eleven NFL seasons with Chicago and is regarded as the most prolific return specialist in league history. Peppers spent four of his 17 NFL seasons with the Bears and ranks fourth in league history in career sacks.
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WEATHER:
Friday
There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 am, then a slight chance between 11 am and 1 pm, and then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 68. North northwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 88. North northwest wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph is becoming calm.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
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OBITUARIES:
Mark “Shorty” Beard, 66, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, July 29th, at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington. A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Jolene Annette (Grobe) Wilson, 62, of Grand Ridge, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, July 30th, at her home surrounded by her loved ones.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 3rd, at Epworth United Methodist Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 2nd, at the Mueller Funeral Home Ottawa.
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Maria L. Kanellis, age 95 of Ottawa, passed away Monday, July 29th, at The Pavilion of Ottawa surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be from noon until the funeral services at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 3rd, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
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Linda Kay (Larimer) Lindeman, 81, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, July 18th, at OSF St. Elizabeth in Ottawa. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 3rd, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be before the service starting at 10:10 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Charles “Art” Barth, 79, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 25th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 3rd, at the Mueller Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the funeral home before the service.
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Mrs. Virgine “Jean” (Powell) Johnson, age 81, of Ottawa, died in her home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, June 8th. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 3rd, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at Crossbridge Community Church. Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is honored to serve the Johnson family.
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Norma (Lock) Willy, 87, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, July 28th, at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 6th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. before the services on Tuesday at the funeral home. Private interment will take place at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Linda Kay (Thompson) Grey, 69, of Earlville, passed away on Tuesday, July 30th, at her home surrounded by her family, after an 11-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 7th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6th, at the funeral home. Linda requests that attendees wear animal prints to the services.
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Evelyn Jakubek Zabawa, formerly of Ottawa, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 23rd. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at Ottawa Cemetery.
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SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox aim to avoid an 18th loss in a row when they visit the Minnesota Twins at Target Field tonight. The White Sox haven’t won a game since beating Minnesota on July 10th. Chicago is in last place in the AL Central at 27-and-84. Davis Martin starts for the Southsiders tonight. The first pitch is at 7:10 PM.
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The Chicago Cubs scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth during a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals from Wrigley Field. Cody Bellinger began the inning with a solo home run to bring the Northsiders within one before Dansby Swanson knotted up the game with an RBI double. Mike Tauchman hit a walk-off double later in the inning to give Chicago the win. Seiya Suzuki also went deep in the victory, and Nate Pearson earned the win in relief. The Cubs have won four of six, but they remain in last place in the NL Central at 53-and-58. Javier Assad starts for the Northsiders against St. Louis this afternoon.
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The Bears defeated the Texans in a storm-shortened Hall of Fame game in Canton. Chicago downed Houston 21-17 in a game that was stopped with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter and was called off following a 36-minute delay. Chicago’s starting QB Brett Rypien completed 11-of-15 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Collin Johnson had three catches for 56 yards and two TDs, while Tommy Sweeney caught three balls for 47 yards and a score. The Bears begin their preseason at 1-and-0. In other team news, former Bears stars Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Steve McMichael get inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend.