One of the hottest stretches of temperatures so far this year has arrived for today and tomorrow. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory in effect from Noon to 8 PM today, followed by an Excessive Heat Watch for Tuesday afternoon and evening. Today’s heat index is expected to reach between 105 and 108 degrees, while Tuesday could see dangerously high heat indices ranging from 110 to 115 degrees. To stay safe, it’s crucial to drink plenty of water, remain indoors in air-conditioned spaces, avoid direct sunlight, and check on vulnerable neighbors and family members.
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The heat wave is causing schedule changes at some schools. Ottawa Township High School will dismiss students early at 12:10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, with lunch provided before dismissal and regular bus transportation. Lincoln Elementary School in Ottawa will shift to E-Learning on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Deer Park School also has early dismissals today and tomorrow. Additional school schedule updates can be found on the WCMY Facebook page and website.
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Offering some assistance, the Ottawa YMCA has announced a full-day program for children from Ottawa’s Lincoln School, running Monday through Wednesday this week. Parents with children already enrolled in the YMCA program are encouraged to call and register for these additional days. Families of those not yet registered can visit the YMCA to complete a registration packet on-site. The YMCA advises that participating children should come prepared each day with a swimsuit, towel, water bottle, and lunch. More information is on the Ottawa YMCA Facebook page and website.
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A motorcycle accident occurred Sunday afternoon near the intersection of State and Hitt streets, close to the Allen Park entrance on Ottawa’s south side. The Ottawa Fire Department and police quickly responded to the scene, and a medical helicopter was requested to assist. Details on the motorcyclist’s condition remain undisclosed. In response to the incident, Illinois 71 was temporarily closed from the south end of Veterans Bridge to 4-H Road as emergency personnel worked to secure the area and provide aid. Authorities have yet to release further information.
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Early Morning Crashes on I-39 Lead to River Search and Recovery. A pair of early morning accidents on Interstate 39 near the Abe Lincoln Bridge prompted a response from the Peru River Rescue team on Sunday. The incidents, which occurred around 5:30 a.m., left authorities piecing together the events that led to the crashes. According to a preliminary report from the Illinois State Police, the first accident involved a northbound Jeep Patriot that rolled over and came to a stop. Shortly after, a Toyota RAV4 collided with the disabled Jeep. The driver of the Toyota reported no injuries; however, the driver of the Jeep was not immediately found at the scene. Concerned about the possibility of the driver being ejected or attempting to leave the scene, authorities called in the Peru River Rescue team to search the nearby Illinois River. Tragically, a body was recovered during the search efforts. As of midday Sunday, the identity of the deceased has not been released. The investigation remains ongoing, and more details will be provided as they become available.
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LaSalle County Deputies with the assistance of the Grand Ridge Fire and EMS responded to a rural Streator residence after reports of an unresponsive infant. Grand Ridge EMS transported the patient and despite life-saving efforts by deputies and EMS personnel, the child was pronounced dead at OSF Center For Health Hospital in Streator. The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office and Coroner’s Office are currently investigating the incident.
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A bicycle crash outside Ottawa’s police and fire stations sent a cyclist to the hospital. According to Ottawa police, 58-year-old Patrick Dunn was riding his bike when he ran a stop sign at the intersection of West Lafayette and Fulton streets, colliding with a car driven by 61-year-old Mary Perez, who had the right-of-way. Dunn was taken to OSF in Ottawa for evaluation and was cited for disobeying the stop sign.
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Peoria Street, located between Fourth and Fifth Streets in Peru, will be temporarily closed to traffic today. The closure is scheduled from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to allow for the replacement of streetlights along this section of the roadway. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes during this time and to anticipate potential delays in the area. The city appreciates the public’s patience as these essential upgrades are completed to improve safety and visibility on Peoria Street.
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Drivers traveling along the I-80 corridor between Peru and North Utica are seeing a significant drop in gas prices, with some locations offering the lowest rates in the area. Quick Time and Love’s in North Utica are leading the charge, with regular gasoline priced at just $2.94 per gallon. Other stations, including Flying J, Sapp Bros, Shell, BP, and Casey’s, are close behind, reporting prices at $2.99 per gallon. In contrast, prices away from the I-80 corridor remain higher, averaging $3.29 per gallon. Ottawa stands out as the most expensive, with regular gas reaching $3.59 per gallon.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined the La Salle County Nursing Home and the Arc of Streator $25,000 each for violations of the Nursing Home Care Act, according to its latest quarterly report. The fines were issued due to failures in several areas, including adherence to resident care plans, proper documentation of services, and maintaining a hazard-free environment. Other area facilities, including Sandwich Rehab, Pleasant View Lutheran Home in Ottawa, and Arcadia Care of Morris, also received fines ranging from $2,200 to $7,100.
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A new COVID-19 case has been reported among residents at the Illinois Veterans Home in La Salle, along with four additional cases among staff, according to a letter sent to residents and their families last week. The home, which is legally required to notify residents and their representatives of infectious disease outbreaks, previously experienced a brief outbreak in January. The facility gained national attention in late 2020 when over 30 residents died during a significant COVID-19 outbreak.
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Illinois’ new law that set new rules for who could make the ballot is dead. The state Supreme Court on Friday refused to overturn a judge that declared the anti-slating law unconstitutional. The law was passed quickly back in the spring and essentially said that candidates who don’t run in the primary cannot be added to the ballot later. Governor Pritzker said the idea was to stop politicians from making backroom deals, but Republicans said the law was a Democratic power grab aimed at protecting their candidates.
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LaSalle County Deputies discovered a vehicle with its emergency flashers on Friday night, partially blocking the roadway near Route 71 and East 2603rd Road in Mission Township. The driver, 53-year-old Tyrone Weathersby of Ottawa, was cited for illegal alcohol transportation and arrested for DUI with a BAC of .111. He was taken to LASCO Jail and later released with a notice to appear in court.
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25-year-old Dillen J. Bary of Streator was arrested by Streator Police on charges of retail theft. Bary was taken into custody following an incident at a business at 2415 N. Bloomington. Bary was released with a notice to appear in court.
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Streator Police apprehended a Streator man following an incident at the intersection of Cedar and Sherman on Monday. Officers arrested 36-year-old Nicholas J. Huber in connection with an outstanding LaSalle County warrant Huber was wanted for failure to appear in court on charges related to driving with a suspended license. During the arrest, Huber allegedly resisted officers, leading to an additional charge of resisting a peace officer. Following his arrest, Huber was transported to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Ottawa Police arrested a 13-year-old on Sunday following an incident on Hitt Street. The juvenile was charged with domestic battery.
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25-year-old Karon Johnson of Streator was stopped by Ottawa Police at Champlain Street and Cherie Lane Sunday on an outstanding LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of driving on a suspended license.
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33-year-old Ryan K. Jackson of Ottawa is charged with battery after Ottawa Police investigated an incident Sunday in the 1100 block of Evans Street.
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A homeless Ottawa man has several charges from Ottawa Police following an incident Saturday at LaSalle and Jackson Streets. Christopher G. Leone has charges for criminal damage to property, aggravated battery to a peace officer, and threatening a public official.
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73-year-old John Vicich is charged with aggravated assault by Ottawa Police following an incident Saturday at Chestnut and Superior Streets.
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A former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy charged with murder heads to court today. Sean Grayson makes his first pre-trial court appearance this morning. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct. Grayson fatally shot Sonya Massey inside her home in Woodside Township. Body camera footage of the shooting has led to protests in Springfield and around the world, with demonstrators saying there was never any reason for Grayson to shoot Massey, a black woman, inside her own home.
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WEATHER:
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory in effect from noon to 8 PM today, followed by an Excessive Heat Watch for Tuesday afternoon through the evening. Monday’s heat index is expected to reach between 105 and 108 degrees, while Tuesday could see dangerously high heat indices ranging from 110 to 115 degrees.
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Monday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 105 to 108. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South southwest wind around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Francis “Rudy” Maierhofer, 95, of Seneca, passed away Monday, August 19th, at the home he lived in for 70 years. Mass of Christian burial for Francis “Rudy” Maierhofer will be held today, at 10:00 am at St. Patrick’s 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. today, 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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Seferina M. Jarigese, 91, of Ottawa, died Thursday, August 22nd, at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care Center of Joliet. The visitation for Seferina M. Jarigese will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home on Tuesday, August, 27th from 9-11 AM with prayers at 11 AM. The Funeral Ceremony for Seferina M. Jarigese will follow at the funeral home at 11 AM. The graveside service will follow at St. Columba, followed by the luncheon at The Knights of Columbus.
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Doris “June” (Peterson) Freebairn, 98, of Utica, passed away on Thursday, August 22nd, at the Pavilion of Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, August 29th, at Waltham Presbyterian Church, in Utica. Burial will follow at Waltham Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church before the funeral services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa.
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MIDDLE SPORTS:
Shepherd 3, Streator Northlawn 0:
The Lady Rams defeated Streator 3-0 Thursday, The Lady Rams are now 9-0 on the season.
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HS SPORTS:
Boys golf
Pirates take the title at St. Charles Invite at The Den Golf Club on Saturday.
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Sandwich 4th at the Roger Keller Classic at Edgebrook Golf Course
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Earlville 179, Hinckley-Big Rock 190, Somonauk 191, and Indian Creek 215: At Indian Oaks Country Club.
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Girls golf
The Red Raiders’ Rylee Hill shot a 53 to earn medalist honors against Hinckley-Big Rock and West Aurora at Indian Oaks.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox are the second-fastest team to 100 losses after a 9-4 defeat at the hand of the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Southsiders led by a run entering the fifth before giving up three in the inning. Andrew Vaughn homered in the losing effort, while Jonathan Cannon fell to 2-and-8 after surrendering five runs on eight hits in four innings. Chicago is in last place in the AL Central at 31-and-100. The Sox send Davis Martin to the mound against the Tigers tonight.
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The Chicago Cubs never led during a 7-2 loss to the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. Chicago gave up two runs in the bottom of the first but kept it close until the Marlins blew the game open with a four-run eighth. Ian Happ had three hits and an RBI in the losing effort, while Javier Assad was charged with his fourth loss after surrendering three runs on six hits in seven frames. The Cubs dropped to third place in the NL Central at 65-and-66. They send Jameson Taillon to the mound against the Pirates tonight.
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The Chicago Bears are bolstering their defensive line. The Bears traded for Browns defensive tackle Chris Williams on Saturday. Chicago sent Cleveland a 2025 sixth-round draft pick and also received a 2025 seventh-round selection. Williams did not see any regular-season action last year. He had six tackles in 13 career games with the Colts.
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The Chicago Sky were stunned by the Las Vegas Aces during a 77-75 loss at Wintrust Arena. Chennedy Carter knocked down a game-tying three with a second left in regulation, but A’ja Wilson put in a lay-up as time expired to hand Chicago the loss. Carter led the Sky with 25 points, while Angel Reese picked up another double-double with 11 points and 22 rebounds. The Sky are in eighth place in the WNBA at 11-and-18. They host the Mystics on Wednesday.
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And baseball history will be made today. Boston Red Sox catcher Danny Jansen will make Major League Baseball history today by playing for two teams in one game. Jansen was a member of the Blue Jays last month and was in the middle of an at-bat against the Red Sox when the game was suspended due to weather. A month later, he was traded to Boston. With the rained-out game resuming and Jansen no longer a Blue Jay but a Red Sox player, the box score will show the 20-year-old playing for both teams.