The LaSalle County Coroner’s office has released information on the I-80 crash from Sunday morning near Peru. It has claimed the lives of a Tiskilwa couple, 67-year-old Ronald W. Hansen was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident, which occurred on eastbound I-80 near the Plank Road overpass. His passenger, 66-year-old Theresa A. Hansen, was transported to OSF St. Elizabeth Peru campus where she died from her injuries. According to the La Salle County Coroner’s Office, the minivan driven by Mr. Hansen departed the roadway for unknown reasons, colliding with the Plank Road overpass. The crash occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. Autopsies were conducted on Monday, with preliminary results pending.
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Thirty-one-year-old Ottawa resident Anthony Brito Jr. faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, witness harassment, and felon in possession of a firearm following a September 12th incident where he allegedly opened fire on a vehicle containing a witness in a separate case. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle’s windshield was damaged. Brito was arrested the following day after a standoff with police. With a criminal history including burglary, cocaine dealing, and aggravated fleeing, Brito appeared in court Thursday where a judge ordered a mental fitness evaluation due to doubts about his ability to stand trial. He is scheduled for a status update on September 12th.
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The Ottawa Police Department is proud to announce its participation in the LINKED-Autism Safety Project, joining Peru, La Salle, Mendota, Oglesby, and Spring Valley. This initiative, created by Ashley McClain, an autism mom, fosters collaboration between first responders and the autism and special needs community. Through a voluntary registration program on the police department’s website or in person at 301 W. Lafayette St., caregivers can provide vital information about their loved ones. This allows responders to develop pre-arrival plans for the best possible assistance, ensuring a safe and positive experience for everyone involved.
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The City of Ottawa, in partnership with Bill’s Barktoberfest event committee, will hold the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its eagerly awaited new dog park on Thursday, August 15th, at 10:00 a.m. at 401 East Lafayette Street. Streets and Public Property Commissioner Marla Pearson says the marks a significant milestone for Ottawa’s canine community, unveiling the park’s official name and showcasing its exciting features and amenities, which promise to make it a top destination for dog lovers and their pets.
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The City of Mendota will hold its inaugural Family Safe Night Out on Friday, August 23rd, at the Mendota Civic Center. This free event, open to all ages, features a variety of activities, bounce houses, face painting, yard games, fire trucks, police cars, and safety demonstrations. Sensory hours for special needs children are from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by general activities from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Children under 16 will receive a free Child ID Safety Kit, with a chance to win a bike helmet, and Mendota residents can register their bikes. Local nonprofits will offer information, and attendees can enjoy a free meal by visiting nonprofit booths.
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Individuals with severe disabilities and their caregivers in Illinois will soon benefit from enhanced accessibility, thanks to legislation championed by Illinois Senate Deputy Minority Leader Sue Rezin. Senate Bill 1089, also known as Sami’s Law, mandates the installation of at least one publicly accessible adult changing station in the State Capitol building and all state rest stops. This law was inspired by a staff member working in the 38th district Morris Republican’s office, whose daughter is diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. The legislation aims to provide dignity and ease for those with severe disabilities, following similar legislation in five other states. Sami’s Law, which passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed into law by the Governor on August 9.
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s legislation regarding the use of AI to create child pornography is a state law. Governor Pritzker signed legislation that clarifies that Illinois’ child pornography laws apply to images and videos created by artificial intelligence technology. The legislation is designed to crack down on child sexual abuse images throughout Illinois.
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The Democratic National Convention starts a week from today in Chicago. Protests against Israel and the U.S. are expected with Pro-Palestinian organizations saying thousands of people will descend on the convention to protest the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the rising civilian death toll. The largest of the planned demonstrations, the “March on the DNC,” is scheduled for noon on August 19th and the evening of August 22nd at Union Park, less than a half-mile from the United Center. The groups are calling on Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party to push for an immediate ceasefire and end U.S. military aid to Israel.
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The Pritzker Administration is releasing its economic growth forecast for the state. The five-year plan outlines a roadmap to attract record-level investments, create jobs, and support communities over the next five years while laying the foundation for economic growth for generations to come. The state is guided by four goals, including focusing on high-growth sectors and continuing overall business climate improvements. Illinois will also focus on key growth industries, including life sciences, Quantum computing, AI, and microelectronics, and clean energy production and manufacturing.
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Governor JB Pritzker is designating the official mushroom of the state of Illinois. The governor signed a bill designating Calvatia gigantea, commonly known as the “giant puffball,” as the state’s official mushroom. The measure began as an initiative led by elementary school students from Prairie School of DuPage in Wheaton, who wanted to see their chosen mushroom recognized as a state symbol. The giant puffball can be found in grassy areas statewide.
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A federal judge is ordering inmates at Stateville Correctional Center to be transferred by the end of next month. In July, lawyers filed a motion citing poor conditions at Stateville. The Judge’s decision was made today calling for prisoners to be moved to other prisons by September 30 because the south suburban Crest Hill facility has critical infrastructure issues. In March, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker proposed to tear down Stateville and the Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln to save taxpayers millions of dollars.
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Mendota police responded to a report of suspicious activity near Lake Mendota and subsequently arrested 26-year-old Heather Arroyo of Earlville on a charge of endangering the life or health of a child. Arroyo was released with a court date.
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40-year-old Gerardo Jose Gomez Jimenez of LaSalle has charges of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Improper Lane Usage, and No Valid Driver’s License. He was released with a court date.
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55-year-old Jerome B. Sack of LaSalle was arrested on two failure-to-appear warrants issued in LaSalle and Will Counties. Sack was taken to LaSalle County Jail.
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26-year-old Leanne R. Smith of Buda was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .08 or higher, lacking red taillights, and improper lane usage. She was released with other traffic citations and a mandatory court date at the LaSalle County Courthouse.
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Cody J. Crouch of LaSalle was arrested following an investigation by the Peru Police Department and charged with domestic battery. Later that day, 20-year-old Crouch was arrested again for violating the conditions of his pretrial release. He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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44-year-old Brittany Stockwell of Streator was arrested on charges of Domestic Battery and Interfering with the Reporting of Domestic Violence. She was given a mandatory court date and transported to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A 17-year-old female from Peru, IL, was arrested for hit and run for leaving the scene of a minor two-vehicle accident. Although she initially fled, she was later located and issued a citation.
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A La Salle County Sheriff’s Office SUV driven by 30-year-old Michael Knox was totaled in a rear-end collision with a vehicle driven by 66-year-old Timothy O’Donnell of Ottawa on Friday afternoon at the intersection of State and Van Buren Streets in Ottawa. Knox admitted to following too closely to react when traffic abruptly stopped, causing the accident. Neither Officer Knox, who was off-duty and without emergency lights activated, nor the other driver required medical attention, but both vehicles were towed from the scene.
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WEATHER:
Today
Areas of fog before 8 am. Otherwise, it will be sunny, with a high near 82. Calm wind.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Calm wind.
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OBITUARIES:
Shirley Lyle, 89, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 8th, at her home surrounded by her family. There will be no services for Shirley Lyle. The Mueller Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox unloaded a season’s worth of frustration onto the New York Yankees with a 12-2 win at Guaranteed Rate Field yesterday. The Sox led by three before blowing the game open with six runs in the bottom of the seventh. Korey Lee and Brooks Baldwin both homered in the victory, while Gavin Sheets drove in four. Touki Toussaint earned his first win in relief. The Southsiders remain in last place in the AL Central at 29-and-91. They send Jonathan Cannon to the mound against the Bronx Bombers tonight.
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The Chicago Cubs couldn’t turn a five-run comeback into a win during a 9-8 loss to the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The Cubs trailed 8-3 in the seventh inning before bringing four runs across. Chicago tied the game with a Seiya Suzuki sacrifice fly in the eighth, but Cleveland quickly took the lead back in the next half-inning. Ian Happ and Pete Crow-Armstrong both homered in the losing effort, while Julian Merryweather was charged with his first loss in relief. The Cubs are in third place in the NL Central at 59-and-61. They send Javier Assad to the mound against Cleveland tonight.
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The Bears are seeking feedback on a new stadium from season ticket holders. The team is expected to hold two focus groups this week asking some season ticket holders what amenities they’d like to see in a new arena. The invitation-only sessions are to be held in Chicago and Schaumburg. The focus groups come as the Bears have planned to build a three-billion dollar stadium, plus up to one-point-seven billion dollars in infrastructure costs, on the lakefront to replace their current home Soldier Field.