The Ottawa City Council took significant steps towards overhauling its liquor licensing procedures during Tuesday’s meeting. At the request of Mayor Robb Hasty, the council approved an amendment to the municipal code, outlining a clear path for escalating penalties on license holders who violate regulations. Mayor Hasty emphasized that the new guidelines will provide transparency and consistency in penalty enforcement, helping both decision-makers and license holders understand the potential consequences of violations. This move marks the beginning of a comprehensive revamp of Ottawa’s liquor licensing system, aimed at modernizing procedures and eliminating loopholes. The overhaul is expected to be completed by next spring, ahead of the issuance of new licenses. In other council action, several appointments were made to the Special Events Committee and the Fine Arts Committee, a performance contract was approved for the Jesse White Tumblers at the upcoming Fall Festival Parade, and the Council advanced agreements related to property annexations, public transit planning, and a community solar energy project. Mayor Rob Hasty will join Jay LeSeure today after 9 am to discuss these topics and more.
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Grundy County Sheriffs responded to a fatal collision between a minivan and a semi-truck that brought eastbound traffic on Interstate 80 to a standstill for much of Tuesday afternoon between Seneca and Morris. The Illinois State Police responded to the scene shortly before noon, where they found that the minivan had rear-ended the semi, which was parked on the shoulder. The crash resulted in one confirmed death. The eastbound lanes were closed for approximately five hours, with westbound traffic briefly diverted at the Seneca exit onto Seneca Road. The accident is under investigation.
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Two out-of-state motorists are facing felony weapon charges after a routine traffic stop in Mendota early Tuesday morning. 39-year-old John H. Larson of St. Paul, Minnesota, was pulled over on U.S. 34 near Interstate 39 at 12:05 a.m. and charged with DUI for drugs, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, along with several traffic offenses. His passenger, 24-year-old Maxwell Seabury of Hendersonville, Tennessee, was wanted on a warrant for failure to appear on a previous driving offense out of Williamson County, Tennessee, and was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Both men were transported to the La Salle County Jail. Meanwhile, Mendota police are still investigating gunshots fired early Sunday at Second Street and Ninth Avenue. Authorities were alerted to the sounds of gunfire and discovered that a vehicle had discharged firearms into the air. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mendota police at 815-539-9331. Mendota police also emphasized that the arrests made on Tuesday are not connected to the Sunday shooting incident, which is still under investigation.
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The LaSalle County Coroner has confirmed the identity of the two Indiana men who died after their boat capsized in LaSalle Lake Sunday. The deaths of 80-year-old Clarence B. Royster of Gary and 53-year-old Clarence B. Royster the third of Merrillville are still under investigation by Conservation Police and the Coroner’s office.
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A 24-year-old Newark man, tragically died Saturday following a motorcycle crash near Belle River Drive and East 30th Road in Northville Township, La Salle County. The La Salle County Coroner’s Office confirmed the victim’s identity in a Tuesday news release, noting that a forensic autopsy conducted Sunday indicated Warren J. Kaforski succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident. The La Salle County Coroner’s Office, along with the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
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LaSalle County Deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident with minor injuries at the intersection of Illinois 23 and North 2450th Road in South Ottawa Township. 43-year-old Jeremy Rosales of Streator was backing his vehicle westbound on North 2450th Road into the intersection when it was struck by a northbound vehicle on Route 23, driven by 27-year-old Joshua Yacko of Grand Ridge. Yacko was unable to avoid the collision, striking the passenger side of Rosales’ vehicle. Rosales was cited for multiple offenses, including unsafe backing, disobeying a stop sign, failure to yield at an intersection, failure to reduce speed, illegal transportation of alcohol, and leaving the scene of an accident.
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Illinois voters may have recently received a letter from their county clerk introducing a new voting option. The correspondence includes an application to enroll in permanent mail-in voting, a new feature required by state law. Voters can choose to receive mail-in ballots for all elections or just specific ones, with their choice activated upon
returning the form. Those who opt out will still receive the application before each election. It’s important to note that providing false information on the form could lead to a Class 3 felony charge.
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The Utica Fireside White Sox Club’s 14th annual raffle has once again set a new record for donations, raising a remarkable $8,700 for local charities through ticket sales, donations, and matching grants. Since its inception in 2009, the club has contributed nearly $70,000 to causes like Lighted Way, Friendship Village, St. Jude, Ronald McDonald House, and Waltham Boy Scouts Troop 797. This year’s success underscores the community’s ongoing support and the club’s commitment to making a difference.
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The Women Inspired Network (WIN), a key initiative of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, has launched its 2024 grant application season, open until September 30. Local non-profit organizations focused on empowering women and children in the region are encouraged to apply. WIN, which has raised over $147,000 and awarded more than $97,000 in grants and scholarships to date, will announce the grant finalists at its annual “Celebration of Giving.” More information is on the foundation website, srccf.org.
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Illinois is on track to become the fifth state in the nation to prohibit corporal punishment in all schools. State officials say Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation to the effect earlier this month. The sanction reportedly bans physical punishment in private schools while reiterating existing prohibition enacted three decades ago in the state’s public schools. The ban — which is set to go into effect in January — specifically bans spanking, paddling, and hitting students. Once the law is enacted, Illinois reportedly will join New Jersey, Iowa, Maryland, and New York in prohibiting the practice.
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IDOT says road construction on I-39 north of Wenona will take traffic down to one lane in both directions from now until the end of the year. Three bridges are involved in deck overlay repair, pavement patching, and drainage redesign.
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31-year-old Darrick Montgomery, a homeless Ottawa man, was arrested by Ottawa Police Tuesday in the 1100 block of Canal Street on two outstanding LaSalle County warrants for domestic battery.
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A two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of N 2725th Road and Route 71 in South Ottawa Township, LaSalle County, on Sunday. Brianda Cain, 20, of Utica, was driving westbound on N 2725th Road when she failed to yield the right of way, colliding with a vehicle driven by Megan Fitzpatrick, 30, of Marseilles, who was traveling south on Route 71. The impact struck the rear left side of Fitzpatrick’s vehicle. No injuries were reported.
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A 27-year-old Peru woman, Jenna L. Baker, was arrested Monday afternoon after her dog was found running at large. Baker, who resides on 8th Street, was issued two city ordinance citations related to the incident. She has been scheduled for a mandatory hearing.
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A 49-year-old LaSalle man, Christopher A. Miller, was arrested early Saturday morning, August 17, 2024, following a traffic stop. Miller, who resides on 11th Street, was charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license. The arrest occurred at 1:25 a.m
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
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Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low of around 51. Calm wind becoming east-northeast around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Lisa Michelle Burns, 55, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly due to breathing complications on Friday, August 16th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, August 22nd, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Lisa was an employee and good friend of 935/1430 WCMY.
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Shirley Day, 80, of Marseilles, passed away Sunday, August 18th, at her home surrounded by her family. Following Shirley Day’s wishes, no services will be held. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Robert “Bob” D. Walsh, 81, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully at his home on August 15th, surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial for Robert “Bob” D. Walsh will take place today, at 10:00 am at St. Patrick’s Church. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery.
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Patricia Ann (Carr) Wagner, 91, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, August 16th, at Pleasant View, in Ottawa. Funeral services for Patricia Ann (Carr) Wagner will be held at 10 a.m. today, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial for Patricia Ann (Carr) Wagner will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be one hour before the service, at the funeral home.
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Francis “Rudy” Maierhofer, 95, of Seneca, passed away Monday, August 19th, at the home he lived in for 70 years. Visitation for Francis “Rudy” Maierhofer will be held on Sunday, August 25th, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Seneca. During the visitation, there will be indoor seating away from the heat. Mass of Christian burial for Francis “Rudy” Maierhofer will be held on Monday, August 26th, at 10:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will take place in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
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HS SPORTS:
BOYS GOLF
Morris 161, La Salle-Peru 166:
Sandwich 175, Mendota 186:
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GIRLS GOLF
At Spring Valley: The Fieldcrest Knights (420) finished fourth in the team standings, while the host Lady Bruins (500) were sixth. Rockford Lutheran won the team title with a 379.
Seneca 199, Somonauk 275, Plano 276:
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox had just three hits during a 4-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Lenyn Sosa drove in Chicago’s only run during the losing effort. Davis Martin was charged with his second loss after surrendering two earned runs and one unearned run on four hits in four-and-a-third innings. The Southsiders remain in last place in the AL Central at 30-and-97. Garrett Crochet starts for the Sox against San Francisco this afternoon. We will have a 2 pm pre-game and a 2:45 pm first pitch.
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Cody Bellinger hit a go-ahead, two-run double in the fifth inning as the Cubs went on to beat the Tigers 3-1 at Wrigley Field. Dansby Swanson added a solo homer in the sixth for insurance for the Cubs, who have won three of four. Javier Assad pitched a one-run ball into the sixth inning for the win. He improved to 6-and-3. Porter Hodge posted his second save. The Northsiders are in second place in the NL Central at 62-and-64. Jameson Taillon starts for the Cubs against Detroit tonight.
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The Chicago Cubs are officially parting ways with their closer. The Northsiders released Hector Neris yesterday. Neris was designated for assignment last week and ended up clearing waivers. Neris went 8-and-4 with a 3.89 ERA and 17 saves in 46 appearances during his first season with Chicago this year.
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There will be a lot of backups playing for the Bears in tomorrow night’s preseason finale against the Chiefs in Kansas City. Coach Matt Eberflus said the majority of Chicago’s starters won’t play. That includes rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. So far, the Bears are 3-and-0 in the preseason.