During Wednesday’s Marseilles City Council meeting, Mayor Jim Hollenbeck faced calls for his resignation after Marseilles resident Scott Ford distributed copies of a Human Resources report which were posted publicly on the Marseilles town forum’s Facebook page yesterday before the meeting. The post alleges the Mayor’s behavior created a hostile work environment, particularly highlighting an incident on October 7, 2022, with a female employee. The report, shared during the public comments section, led Ford to criticize Finance Commissioner Bobby Kaminski for not defending the employee who had filed the complaint against Hollenbeck. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Mayor Hollenbeck appeared unfazed, swiftly moving on to the next agenda item. Commissioner Kaminski stated that the issue was under investigation, emphasizing that his main concern was the financial stability of Marseilles.
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The Ottawa Water Department will begin its regular hydrant flushing maintenance on Tuesday, September 3, continuing through Friday, October 4. Flushing will impact different neighborhoods throughout the city, starting with East Norris Drive, Ottawa Industrial Park, and Champlain Street on September 3. On September 4, work will move to Bellevue Avenue and the Gracefield Subdivision. The following day, September 5, Etna Road, Oak Ridge Drive, and several other surrounding streets, including Turnberry Subdivision and Reynolds Manor, will undergo flushing. The week will conclude on September 6 with flushing west of Route 23, affecting Kain Subdivision and Emerald Drive. Residents are advised to be aware of potential water discoloration during this period and to plan accordingly.
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The postponed ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ottawa’s new dog park will be at 10:00 o’clock this morning at the east end of Lafayette Street. Along with unveiling the park’s official name, speakers will describe the features and amenities the park will offer.
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The playground at Bing Armstrong Park on Wasson Street in Streator will be permanently closed and dismantled, following a unanimous decision by the Streator City Council. In Wednesday’s meeting, officials backed the Park and Open Spaces Board’s recommendation, citing safety concerns and financial strain as key reasons. The aging equipment, deemed unsafe and underutilized, presents a significant risk to the public, prompting the immediate start of removal operations.
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The Grundy County Corner has released the name of the victim pronounced dead at the scene of Tuesday’s Interstate 80 crash. 47-year-old David A. Biggane of LaSalle, died Tuesday after his vehicle collided with the rear of a semitrailer near mile marker 109, between Seneca and Morris. The crash occurred around 11:50 a.m., according to the Grundy County Coroner’s Office. Biggane, who was driving a Dodge Grand Caravan, was pronounced dead at the scene. The eastbound lanes of I-80 were closed for several hours following the incident, with traffic being diverted onto Seneca Road. The Illinois State Police and the coroner’s office are conducting an investigation
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Five Illinois men, including a Streator resident, have been charged in connection with a widespread burglary ring that targeted businesses across several counties from the Chicago area to Central Illinois, according to the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. 35-year-old John Friedrich of Streator, faces multiple charges, including theft, money laundering, and six counts of burglary. Authorities urge the public to contact local law enforcement if they have information on Friedrich’s whereabouts. The other suspects—39-year-old Joseph Montoro of Berwyn; 41-year-old Sebastian Perez of Chicago; 20-year-old Jacob Sickel of Brookfield; and 53-year-old Don Wiley of University Park—are accused of participating in 22 burglaries across 12 counties. The alleged thefts targeted gas stations, bars, and small video gaming parlors, collectively stealing over $100,000 from January to November 2023. The Attorney General’s investigation, prompted by a referral from the Illinois Gaming Board, involved close collaboration with numerous local law enforcement agencies. The suspects, excluding Friedrich, are awaiting their first court appearance in DuPage County.
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Thanks to a WCMY listener news tip, we have verified that a local Marseilles man was arrested on multiple felony charges following an armed robbery in Bolivar, Missouri. 43-year-old Gregory Thomas of Marseilles is accused of assaulting a worker and demanding money at a business on East Aldrich Road in Bolivar around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. Officers quickly responded and located Thomas in a nearby field, where he was found with a sum of cash. A police K9 also discovered a BB gun in the area. Thomas now faces four felony charges related to the incident.
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A 19-year-old Earlville man was sentenced in LaSalle County Court to one year in prison on Wednesday for possessing a loaded pistol without a concealed carry permit. Levi J. Hernandez, who has no prior criminal history, pleaded guilty to aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Due to recent legislative changes, Hernandez faced mandatory prison time and will spend about two months in the Illinois Department of Corrections, thanks to pretrial credits. The charges originated from a March 2023 traffic stop, where deputies, responding to a false shooting report, found a 9-mm pistol and magazines in Hernandez’s backpack. Despite his remorse, Hernandez faced prison time as the firearm, though belonging to a family member, was possessed without the required permits.
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29-year-old Eartha T. Davis of Ottawa is charged with retail theft after her arrest by Ottawa Police Wednesday at Wal-Mart.
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64-year-old Larry J. Thompson was arrested by Ottawa Police at the Surrey Motel Thursday on a failure to appear warrant on a charge of criminal trespass.
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23-year-old Curin M. Gray was arrested by Ottawa Police in the 500 block of East Norris Drive Thursday and has charges of retail theft, trespass, and violations of pre-trial release conditions.
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WEATHER:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south-southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
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Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low of around 54. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
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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 today 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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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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Lyle W. Hathorn, 97, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday, August 20th, at the Illinois Veterans Home in LaSalle. Visitation for Lyle W. Hathorn will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, August 26th, at Fox River Lutheran Church, in Sheridan. Funeral services for Lyle W. Hathorn will follow at 11 a.m. Burial for Lyle W. Hathorn will be at 2:30 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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HS SPORTS:
BOYS GOLF
Ottawa 152, Kaneland 177: The Varsity Pirates were victorious in their home opener conference duel against the Kaneland Knights. Bryer Haris shot a 34 in the victory over the Knights.
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Marquette 13th at St. Bede Invitational: At Spring Creek Golf Course, Ashton Grady registered an 80 to place eighth at the St. Bede Invitational, while Braxton Nelle finished 18th with an 87.
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Hall 169, La Salle-Peru 177: the Red Devils opened the season with a nonconference victory at Spring Creek Golf Course in Spring Valley.
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Sandwich 175, Mendota 182: At Edgebrook Golf Club, the Indians – topped the Trojans on Tuesday to improve to 2-0 on the season.
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GIRLS GOLF
Ottawa 210, JCA 277: Marlie Orlando shot a 51 to help the Lady Pirate to a victory yesterday.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox put an end to their four-game losing skid with a 6-2 win over the San Francisco Giants in the series finale at Oracle Park. Korey Lee and Lenyn Sosa each hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth to break open a tie. Andrew Benintendi and Andrew Vaughn also had an RBI in the victory. Fraser Ellard earned his first win after throwing two strikeouts through one inning of relief. The White Sox are at the bottom of the AL Central at 31-and-97. The Southsiders host the Tigers tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Cubs surrendered a pair of four-run innings during an 8-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field. Jameson Taillon was charged with his eighth loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in five frames. He gave up all four runs on a pair of two-run homers in the second. Christian Bethancourt homered in the losing effort. The Northsiders dropped to third place in the NL Central at 62-and-65. They send Justin Steele to the mound against the Tigers this afternoon.
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The Chicago Bears aim for preseason perfection when they wrap up exhibition play against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead tonight. The Bears are 3-and-0 after beating the Bengals 27-3 last Saturday. Caleb Williams will not play in tonight’s contest, which kicks off at 7:20 PM.
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Loyola University’s most beloved fan is 105 years old. School officials say Sister Jean Delores-Schmidt hit another milestone today. The longtime chaplain of Loyola’s Rambler basketball was born on this day in 1919 in San Francisco before moving to the Windy City in her 40s. To celebrate Delores-Schmidt’s life and enduring fidelity, Loyola community members will hold a WTC Block Party and LUMA Exhibit next week on Thursday on the Water Tower campus, 55 East Pearson Street. Happy birthday, Sister Jean!