Ottawa High School’s return to classes has been smooth despite road closures on Green Street and Canal Road, according to Superintendent Dr. Michael Cushing. While traffic patterns have adjusted well, a small number of parents are still causing congestion by parking in the east lot for pick-ups, prompting efforts to reinforce designated parking areas. The closures, part of the Green Street elevation project to mitigate flood risks are expected to last until December 1st. Traffic management, overseen by the Ottawa Police Department, includes specific drop-off and pick-up procedures to ease congestion. For ongoing updates, visit the Ottawa Police Department’s website.
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The La Salle County Clerk’s Office on Tuesday mailed out Permanent Vote by Mail Applications to all voters in the county, in accordance with state statute. Voters who wish to permanently vote by mail in all elections should complete the form, including selecting a party for primary elections. If you prefer to vote by mail in all elections except primaries, simply leave the party selection blank. To opt out of permanent vote-by-mail, check the appropriate box on the form. After making your selection, return the form to the La Salle County Clerk’s Office to ensure you won’t receive additional forms in the future. Be aware that other organizations may also send similar forms, but you only need to return one to the Clerk’s Office. For any questions, contact the La Salle County Clerk’s Office by phone or in person, or visit the County Clerk page at lasalle-county-IL-dot-gov.
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A federal judge will not force Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to make additional changes to the path offered to protestors during next week’s Democratic National Convention. U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood ruled yesterday that the route satisfies the First Amendment while addressing security and safety concerns. The decision comes as the two sides are expected back in Judge Wood’s courtroom this afternoon. Organizers of the protest groups first sought permits to march near the United Center over the Israel-Hamas war. Then in early June, the city told a judge that it planned to offer a route that is United Center adjacent. The groups were not satisfied and wanted the judge to force the city to adjust further.
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The Secret Service and Chicago officials are reassuring the public that they are confident in the security plan for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Superintendent Larry Snelling says his department will be able to manage tens of thousands of people joining rallies and marches outside of the United Center. Street closures and parking restrictions started yesterday around the United Center and continued this morning near McCormick Place.
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Republicans are expected to meet this weekend for a pro-Trump rally. The Trump Now-Save the American Dream Rally will be held Sunday afternoon in suburban Woodstock just before the Democratic National Convention gets started. The speakers include conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, GOP strategist Roger Stone, Mike Lindell of MyPillow, and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn. Tickets for the event range from 30 dollars for general admission to 300 bucks for a VIP seat.
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Illinois is establishing a long-term blueprint to support aging residents. Governor Pritzker signed an Executive Order to begin the planning process to outline a clear framework for addressing the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers over the next decade. The plan will serve as a ten-year blueprint to support healthy aging in Illinois communities and set clear, measurable objectives for evaluating public and private sector progress toward this goal.
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The DeKalb County Health Department has confirmed the presence of West Nile virus in mosquitoes collected in Genoa, marking the first instance of the virus in the county this year, though no human cases have been reported.
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Two pickups collided and rolled just south of Interstate 80 near Marseilles early Tuesday morning. Emergency responders, including firefighters and police officers, were called to the rural intersection of East 22nd and North 30th Roads shortly after 5:30 a.m. Upon arrival, they found both vehicles off the road, with one truck overturned on its roof. One driver sustained a facial injury and was transported by ambulance to OSF in Ottawa.
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36-year-old Samantha Milton, and a 17-year-old boy, were arrested Sunday following a residential burglary in Streator. The pair were cited for criminal trespass after witnesses noticed suspicious activity at a friend’s house they were checking on. The suspects, who fled but were confronted in the backyard, were found with stolen items, including a
drill. The police later discovered the home in disarray. Milton was taken into custody and later released with a court date, while the boy faces charges in the juvenile justice system. Streator Police praised the witnesses for their quick action.
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Plano Police Department arrested 21-year-old Omarion D. Williams of Plano, charging him with battery after he allegedly struck another man multiple times in the head and face. Officers responded to a call around 4:25 p.m. on the 2600 block of Eldamain Road, where they discovered the suspects had fled on foot. Williams was found nearby, taken into custody, and subsequently released with a notice to appear in court.
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54-year-old Michael J. Barkau of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Tuesday in the 900 block of Douglas Street on a charge of stalking by violating a no-contact order.
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60-year-old Susan K. Johnson of Streator has been charged with driving on a suspended license after a traffic stop by Streator Police Tuesday morning in the 1500 block of South Illinois Street. A passenger, 32-year-old Samantha Johnson was arrested on an outstanding warrant and taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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An Arlington woman has a charge of driving on a suspended license and suspended registration. 30-year-old Kylie A. Znaniecki was stopped by Ottawa Police Tuesday at Clinton Street and West Norris Drive.
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26-year-old Nicholas J. Huber of Streator was picked up by Streator Police Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of Oak Street on an outstanding warrant. He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Ashley N. Moats of Streator is charged with retail theft by Streator Police after an incident Tuesday morning in the 100 block of East Main Street. The 32-year-old woman was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A south suburban Monee woman is a millionaire after she was given a scratch-off ticket as a gift. The winner, who wants to remain anonymous, says her husband gave her a 25-dollar Diamond Crossword Illinois Lottery ticket. It was purchased at the Monee Tobacco store. She plans to use her winnings to buy a house
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. East-northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 1 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 66. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts to less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
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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 are back in the loss column after a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees. The Sox gave up the first four runs of the game and didn’t get on the board until Luis Robert Jr. hit an RBI single in the eighth. Jonathan Cannon was charged with his sixth loss after surrendering three runs on five hits in four-and-two-thirds innings. The Southsiders are in last place in the AL Central at 29-and-92. Davis Martin goes for the Sox against the Bombers tonight.
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The Chicago Cubs had just five hits during a 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. The game was tied at one until Drew Smyly surrendered a go-ahead home run to Jhonkensy Noel in the bottom of the sixth. Smyly was charged with his sixth loss in relief, while Dansby Swanson drove in Chicago’s only run. The Cubs remain in fourth place in the NL Central at 59-and-62. The Northsiders send Jameson Taillon to the mound against the Guardians tonight.
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The Chicago Sky are gearing up for the return of the WNBA regular season. The Sky will host the Phoenix Mercury tomorrow at Wintrust Arena. Chicago entered the All-Star and Olympic breaks having lost two of their last three games. Chicago is in eighth place in the WNBA at 10-and-14. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Bulls say that point guard Lonzo Ball is on track to take the court this upcoming season. His recovery from a left knee injury that happened in 2022 has met several delays and setbacks. But in the last five months, Ball has shown great progress, including taking part in five-on-five scrimmages. The Bulls’ next goal is for the backcourt leader to participate in training camp in October. But Ball must first be cleared for NBA action.