The LaSalle County Highway Department will close N. 2803rd Road in Ottawa Township for Hot-Mix Asphalt construction starting Monday, August 19th. The project extends from the intersection of County Highway 34 (Dee Bennett Road) north to E. 13th Road and is expected to last one week, weather permitting. Motorists should plan to use alternative routes during this time.
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The LaSalle-Peru High School Renaissance program garnered national acclaim at the 2024 Jostens Renaissance Global Conference, winning a Renny Award for its effective use of Harbor Homerooms to foster character development. These homerooms provide dedicated time for students to explore and discuss essential life skills. Students and educators from schools throughout the United States and Canada attend this annual conference. Additionally, L-P Renaissance was honored as a Platinum School of Distinction, the highest accolade given to schools that positively impact their climate and culture through the Renaissance Results Formula.
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Indicted on Tuesday, Logan Petre, a 21-year-old from Marseilles, is already facing a murder charge for allegedly beating and asphyxiating his father. He has now been charged with aggravated battery after allegedly attacking a fellow inmate in jail. The La Salle County jury claims Petre struck the inmate repeatedly on July 18th, potentially adding a two- to five-year prison term to his existing charges. His murder trial, initially set for Aug. 26th, may be delayed pending a mental health evaluation. While the new battery charge may seem secondary to the murder charge, it could complicate plea negotiations or impact sentencing if he’s convicted.
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The Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team made its largest street-level drug bust in years, leading to the indictment of Alexander Bryant, 29, of Chicago, on two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Bryant, who also has ties to Cicero, is accused of selling heroin laced with fentanyl to an undercover officer in Utica during two separate operations in May and July. The heroin weighed over the Class X felony threshold, which could result in a prison sentence of 6 to 30 years with no probation, plus an additional three years for the fentanyl. Bryant’s arraignment is set for August 22nd, and he is currently barred from entering La Salle County except for court appearances.
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A 21-year-old Granville resident, Skyler Williams, died Sunday from severe head trauma sustained in an ATV accident on Hazel Marie Boyle Drive in Hennepin. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon, and Williams was airlifted to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, where he later passed away. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident, with assistance from local emergency services.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a groundbreaking bill making Illinois the first state to mandate comprehensive Alzheimer’s treatment coverage for state employees. This landmark legislation requires the State Employees Group Insurance Program to cover all necessary FDA-approved treatments, medications, and diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s, eliminating delays in care and providing crucial support to patients and their families. Championed by Senator Murphy and State Representative Mary Gill, this bill marks a significant step in the fight against Alzheimer’s, offering hope and improved quality of life to those affected.
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The family of Sonya Massey and their attorneys are pushing for legislation that would strengthen Illinois’ SAFE-T Act. The legislation would create a national database for police officers that would include infractions like DUIs. The measure is designed to prevent the hiring of officers like former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who is charged in the July 6th shooting death of Massey. Grayson had two DUIs before becoming an officer. Massey family members also applauded the retirement of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, calling it the first step towards real change.
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Illinois is awarding more than five million dollars in loans to licensed social equity cannabis dispensaries. Through the program, 23 qualified, licensed social equity dispensaries are receiving 240-thousand-dollar Direct Forgivable Loans financed by the State of Illinois. Recipients were selected based on different factors including social equity status, financial need, financial resources, and progress toward becoming operational.
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Illinois Democrats are getting fired up for next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Governor Pritzker and other Democrats rallied yesterday at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield in order to whip up excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign. The governor said those who attend the DNC will see a state where Democrats deliver. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said they can’t allow Donald Trump or JD Vance to come anywhere near the White House. The Chicago Democratic National Convention host committee says it has raised a record-high of funds for the four-day event. The group announced today that they have collected 94 million dollars, which surpasses their goal of 85 million dollars. Three sponsors are named including United Airlines, AT&T, and Invenergy. A more complete list of contributors won’t be publicly available until after next week’s convention.
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Rosemont is banning people from sleeping in public. A new ordinance bans people from sleeping or camping on any public sidewalk, street, alley, or park. The ban comes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that municipalities don’t violate the Eighth Amendment’s “cruel and unusual punishment” clause by enforcing bans on people sleeping outside in public places.
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Fan Expo is coming to the Chicago area this weekend. The comic and pop culture event will be held from Friday to Sunday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in northwest suburban Rosemont. Some of the actors scheduled to appear are Mark Hamil of Star Wars fame, Marisa Tomei, Richard Dreyfuss, and Emmy and Tony Award-winner Laurie Metcalf. Tickets are available at fanexpochicago.com.
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Repair crews are continuing to work after a gas leak caused major problems in Northwest Indiana. The situation started yesterday afternoon and led to evacuations and an hours-long shutdown on I-94 in Portage. About six hours into the shutdown, NIPSCO managed to cap the leak and finally allowed traffic in all lanes of I-94 to reopen. Portage officials say they’ve been told by NIPSCO that air quality in the area is safe.
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LaSalle County Deputies attempted a traffic stop near N Everette St. and Broadway St. in Bruce Township, but the driver, Michael Magana, 37, of Streator, fled. The pursuit ended in a north field at the intersection of Route 23 and Route 17. Magana was arrested for multiple offenses, including aggravated fleeing, reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, operating an uninsured vehicle, and speeding at 96 mph in a 55 mph zone. He was later released with a notice to appear.
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Lasalle County grand jury has indicted 32-year-old Leroy Persinger Jr. of Streator on three domestic battery charges following his July arrest. Persinger, previously involved in a 2020 manhunt related to multiple thefts and burglaries, now faces legal trouble again, potentially violating his parole. He is currently in the La Salle County Jail.
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Three men were indicted on charges of domestic battery: JJ Turano, 44, of Earlville, Carlos Hinojosa, 36, of Crest Hill, and Melvin Smith, 34, of Ottawa. Turano, also facing a retail theft charge, is out of jail with a court date set for August 29th. Hinojosa has been released with a GPS monitor, while Smith remains in custody, having been denied pretrial release.
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Kristina A. Katchmar, a 42-year-old woman from LaSalle, was arrested on Monday, at 8:01 PM, for failing to provide information or aid following a hit-and-run incident involving an unattended vehicle. She was cited and released with a mandatory LaSalle County court date.
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LaSalle County Deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Route 351 and Route 71 in LaSalle Township, involving Kaylyn Scholl, 38, and Jeremy Twardowski, 40, both of Peru. Scholl was slowing down for a turning vehicle when Twardowski rear-ended her. No injuries were reported, and Twardowski was cited for failure to reduce speed.
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LaSalle County Deputies stopped a vehicle near RT 71 and N 32nd Road in Rutland Township, arresting 36-year-old Nicholas Huber of Streator for driving with a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle. He was released with a notice to appear.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
Thunderstorms – some may contain locally heavy rain, especially during the morning hours. High around 80F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Thursday Night
Thunderstorms are likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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OBITUARIES:
No current obituaries to report
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox surrendered three home runs during a 10-2 loss to the New York Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox led by a run heading into the seventh before imploding. Chicago allowed three runs in the seventh and six in the eighth. Dominic Leone was charged with his second loss in relief, while Gavin Sheets hit his eighth homer in the losing effort. The Southsiders are in last place in the AL Central at 29-and-93. They visit Houston tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Cubs had just five hits during a 6-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Chicago took an early 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Cody Bellinger, but Cleveland scored twice in the next half-inning and two more times in the fifth. Jameson Taillon was charged with his seventh loss after allowing four runs on five hits in six innings. The Northsiders are in fourth place in the NL Central at 59-and-63. Chicago hosts Toronto tomorrow.
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The Chicago Sky returns from the All-Star and Olympic breaks when they host the Phoenix Mercury at Wintrust Arena tonight. The Sky won their final game before the break last month, a 93-85 victory over Las Vegas. Chicago is in eighth place in the WNBA at 10-and-14. Tonight’s game gets underway at 7:00 PM.
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The Bulls NBA in-season tournament schedule is out. They will start the Emirates NBA Cup against the Cavaliers in Cleveland on November 15th, they will then take on the Hawks at the United Center on November 22nd. The Bull will visit the Wizards on November 26th and finish by hosting the Celtics on November 29th. If they make it out of pool play the team will advance to single-elimination knockout rounds starting December 10th.
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Dates are set for next year’s John Deere Classic. Officials announced that the event will be held June 30th through July 6th at TPC Deere Run. Davis Thompson won the 2024 John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois last month.
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Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is offering to pay for more than one point five million dollars worth of chicken wings stolen by a former employee from a south suburban school district. In a post on X, Jones said he would cover the cost of the stolen chicken wings to free Vera Lidell from prison. The 68-year-old was sentenced to nine years in prison last week for the theft. She was working as the director of food services at Harvey School District 152 at the time of the incident.