On Friday morning, Ottawa police announced that a reported disturbance at the Ravlin Congregate Center on Thursday night was a false alarm. Around 9:00 p.m., officers responded to a call about an argument and possible gunshots at 400 East Washington Street. After a joint investigation with the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police, authorities confirmed that no such incident had occurred. The Ottawa police expressed gratitude to those who assisted, emphasizing that their cooperation helped quickly confirm the community was safe.
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Illinois State Police have released details about the fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred on Interstate 80 near Peru, Illinois, on Sunday morning, resulting in one death, according to the Illinois State Police. The incident occurred west of Plank Road at 10:18 a.m. when a vehicle left the roadway and collided with a concrete embankment. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was transported to a local hospital. We will update this story as more is made available from the ISP.
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Efforts are underway to establish the Exploreum Children’s Museum in Ottawa, a project dedicated to creating an interactive and dynamic environment where children and families can immerse themselves in exploration, nurture creativity, and revel in the joy of learning. Sally Van Cura, the donor relations manager at the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, highlights the vision for the museum as a vibrant hub of discovery. Currently, the Exploreum is searching for an ideal location in the downtown area to ensure accessibility for all families. Those interested in supporting this exciting initiative can make donations by contacting the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation through their online platform.
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LaSalle residents on Blackstone, Buck, Central, Fourth, and Fifth Streets will experience a water outage starting at 8 a.m. Monday due to maintenance on a nearby water main. Once the work is completed, a boil order will be issued. If you notice rusty water, let it run until it clears, city officials advised. A map of the area in Lasalle can be found on the WCMY website.
In addition, The Slough Bridge and Boat Ramp in Peru will be temporarily closed for inspection on Tuesday, Aug. 13th, with potential adjustments in case of bad weather.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad crossing on Main Street (Route 18) in Streator will close at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 19th, for repairs, with work expected to last 12 days.
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A two-vehicle crash early Friday morning in La Salle, attributed to a drunk driver, left a 58-year-old Peru man injured and resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Elijah Leek, also from Peru. The accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. at the intersection of Joliet and 9th Streets, where one vehicle rolled over upon impact. The injured man was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Leek was arrested for DUI and cited for disobeying a stop sign. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
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Illinois has designated August, as Breastfeeding Promotion Month with the theme “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All” to stress the significance of breastfeeding, especially for working parents. Supported by the LaSalle County Health Department and major medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this initiative promotes breastfeeding as the best nutritional choice for infants during their first year. Breastfeeding not only provides optimal nutrition and fosters a strong mother-baby bond but also reduces health risks for both. Fathers can contribute by creating a supportive environment and sharing household duties. For more information or assistance, contact the LaSalle County Health Department at 433-3366.
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Former John Deere employees in the Midwest are considering legal action against the company for alleged wrongful termination, according to attorney Megan Bonanni. She stated that both Ford and John Deere used the same Michigan consulting firm to develop their layoff strategies. This firm previously represented ex-Ford employees in a lawsuit claiming age discrimination in layoffs, and their analysis suggests similar patterns in Deere’s layoffs. Deere, which recently dismissed nearly 300 salaried workers and 1,500 production workers across Iowa and Illinois, has not responded to requests for comment.
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Chicago health officials are getting ready for an increase in COVID-19 cases after last week’s Lollapalooza music fest in Grant Park. The event brought more than 100 thousand music lovers out to the city’s downtown area each day of the four days. Doctor Sindhu Aderson with Northwestern Immediate Care says a rise in COVID cases can be seen in five to seven days after Lollapalooza. The Chicago Department of Public Health recently reported a spike in hospitalizations due to COVID-19 and a test positivity rate of eleven-point-three percent.
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that 49-year-old Juan Jose Jaime Ramirez from Aurora is facing charges of forgery and falsifying information on a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card application. Ramirez is accused of failing to disclose a prior felony conviction, forging the application, and submitting it to the Illinois State Police in October 2023, despite state law prohibiting felons from owning firearms. If convicted, Ramirez could face up to 24 years in prison. His next court date is September 26.
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Western Illinois University is laying off more employees. The university says 57 faculty and 32 staff positions will be eliminated. The layoffs follow other cost-saving measures, including the non-renewal of 35 faculty contracts on July 1st and a hiring suspension and spending freeze that was implemented on June 3rd. Also, over 100 vacant positions were eliminated from future budgets.
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Illinois is increasing opportunities for juveniles seeking expungement. Governor Pritzker signed a bill into law, which is intended to automatically schedule expungement hearing dates for juveniles. Also, eligible juvenile records can now be expunged two years after a sentence ends, to allow the court to schedule the expungement date when the sentence ends or when a young person is sent to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Illinois joins 22 other states with laws that automatically seal or expunge juvenile records in certain circumstances. The new law goes into effect January 1st, 2025.
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Some big names will be speaking at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next week. NBC News reports President Joe Biden, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been confirmed as speakers at the convention. The DNC is being held at the United Center from August 19th through the 22nd.
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A new Illinois state law, initiated by State Rep. Anna Moeller and State Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, aims to reduce fentanyl-related deaths by closing a critical loophole in reporting procedures. Prompted by the advocacy of Elgin resident Cort Stevens, who lost a friend to a fentanyl overdose in 2022, the law mandates that coroners must now notify law enforcement when fentanyl is suspected in a death. The legislation, known as House Bill 4942, was unanimously passed and is considered vital in addressing the state’s opioid crisis, which claimed 3,261 lives in 2022. The bill’s sponsors and Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley praised Stevens’ efforts, with Moeller highlighting it as a model for public safety collaboration.
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A 19-year-old Earlville man, Levi J. Hernandez, is facing prison time after pleading guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony. Hernandez, who lacked both a concealed carry permit and a firearm owner’s identification card, was found with a loaded 9-mm pistol and two magazines, including one with 30 rounds, during a traffic stop on March 4, 2023. The incident occurred after La Salle County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a drive-by shooting, which turned out to involve a BB gun. Hernandez, who admitted to possessing the backpack containing the firearm, is scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, with an opportunity to address the judge before his transfer to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
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Streator police arrested John P. Freeman, 35, of Streator, for driving with a suspended license. Freeman was cited and released, with a court date scheduled in LaSalle County. In a separate incident on the 200 block of 7th Street, Trever J. Murphy, 21, of Streator, was arrested twice for criminal trespass. After the first offense, Murphy was cited and released with a court date. Following a second arrest, he was cited again and transported to the LaSalle County Jail.
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WEATHER:
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers after 10 am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Calm wind.
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OBITUARIES:
None at this time
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Shepherd Lady Rams 3, Morris Saratoga 1
The Lady Rams defeated Morris Saratoga for the first win of the season.
Picking up the win in the circle for the Lady Rams was Kennedy Kane throwing a full seven innings, striking out eleven and only giving up two hits. Leading the Rams on offense was Kane going 1 for 3 with an RBI and a stolen base, Adyssen Boaz going 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Cameron Lawsha going 1 for 2 with a walk.
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Shepherd Lady Rams 15, Fieldcrest Knights 0
The Lady Rams defeated Fieldcrest for their second win on the season. Getting the win in the circle was Sophie Taylor throwing four innings, striking out ten, and only giving up one hit. Leading the Rams on offense was Kennedy Kane going 1 for 2 with two RBIs and two walks. Sophie Taylor going 1 for 2 with an RBI and a walk. Mackenzie Mool went 1 for 1 with a single and a stolen base. And Brinley Winter is going 1 for 2 with an RBI and a walk. The Lady Rams are now 2-0 and will play in Princeton on Monday.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Cubs swept the Chicago White Sox with a 3-1 win during the Crosstown Classic from Guaranteed Rate Field on Saturday. The game was tied at one in the top of the eighth when Miguel Amaya hit a two-run single to put the Northsiders up for good. Porter Hodge earned his first win in relief, while Hector Neris picked up his 17th save. The Cubs are in third place in the NL Central at 59-and-60. Chad Kuhl was charged with his second loss in relief. The Southsiders are in last place in the AL Central at 28-and-91. Shota Imanaga starts for the Cubs against Cleveland tonight, while Ky Bush goes for the Sox against the Yankees. We will have a 6:30 pm pre-game and a 7:10 first ptch on WCMY.
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The Chicago Bears remain undefeated in exhibition play following a 33-6 win over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Saturday. Caleb Williams made his unofficial Bears debut, completing four of his seven pass attempts for 95 yards. Ian Wheeler scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground, while Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy both registered two-and-a-half sacks. The Bears host the Bengals this Saturday.
The Chicago Bears are shuffling around their roster. The team signed defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings yesterday. The undrafted rookie played at Texas Tech last season, recording three-and-a-half sacks and seven-and-a-half tackles for loss. To make room for Hutchings on the roster, Chicago waived running back Demetric Felton.