Following the two hottest days of Summer, including record high temperatures at some Northern and Central Illinois communities, strong to severe thunderstorms popped up in locations across the I-80 and I-88 corridors Tuesday evening. Heavy rain – more than two inches in some spots – combined with wind gusts over 50 miles an hour – and active lightning displays, resulted in scattered power outages due to downed limbs and trees. A downed tree across Adams Street in South Ottawa blocked traffic in one block and caused a power outage in the neighborhood. Just before 7:00 a.m., Ameren reported isolated power outages on Ottawa’s south side west of Illinois 23, on Ottawa’s west side east of Boyce Memorial Drive, and in Dayton. An overturned semi caused the closure of an Illinois 23 ramp onto Interstate 80.
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The Ottawa City Council, during a special session Tuesday, approved the sale of a property at U.S. 6/Illinois 71 and Technology Drive. Details remain undisclosed due to a non-disclosure agreement with Ryan Companies U.S. Inc., a national real estate developer based in Minneapolis. Mayor Robb Hasty hinted that more information might be shared soon. Additionally, the council approved a performance contract for the Jesse White Tumblers at the Fall Festival Parade on Sept. 29th, a service agreement for North Central Area Transit with La Salle County’s 708 Mental Health Board, and two agreements related to the Illinois River lift station.
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The Bureau County Health Department confirmed Tuesday that mosquitoes in Spring Valley tested positive for West Nile virus. Although most people infected with the virus show no symptoms, some may experience fever, nausea, headaches, and muscle aches, with severe cases potentially leading to meningitis or death, especially in those over 50 or with weakened immune systems. The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting the first West Nile Virus death this year. A Lake County resident in their 80s died this month following the onset of symptoms of the virus. There have also been nine non-deadly human cases of West Nile to date this year. The majority of those cases were reported from Cook County.
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Illinois veterans’ homes are reporting a rise in COVID-19 cases among residents and staff, with most cases presenting mild symptoms, according to a statement from the state. The Illinois Veterans’ Home at La Salle currently has three residents and nine staff members who tested positive, while the Manteno facility has two residents and one staff member infected, and Quincy has nine residents and 12 staff. Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Terry Prince emphasized that ongoing testing and infection control measures have helped contain the spread. The homes are following CDC and state health guidelines, including social distancing, masking, and enhanced cleaning.
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The La Salle County Historical Society announced the establishment of a $25,000 endowment in memory of local historian and long-time supporter Edmund B. Thornton. Funded by the Edmund B. Thornton Foundation, the endowment will reimburse compensation for interns starting in 2025. College students studying history or related fields will be prioritized for these paid internships, which involve tasks like collections research, digitization projects, and museum event support. The Society expressed gratitude for the generous donation from Thornton’s family. Interested candidates can find more details on the Museum’s website or by contacting the museum director, Amanda Carter.
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The Illinois State Police is calling their role in keeping law and order during the Democratic National Convention last week in Chicago the largest security detail in agency history. The ISP said they worked with federal, state, and local agencies for more than a year and a half to coordinate security measures and responses for the United Center, McCormick Place, and other locations during the DNC. ISP had multiple roles to protect the safety of elected officials, dignitaries, Chicago residents, convention attendees, protestors, and critical infrastructure.
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A former staffer at Jefferson High School in Rockford is charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of two teenage girls. Authorities say school officials received a handwritten letter by one of the victims detailing a sexual relationship with Centa Rockwood. Rockwood asked one of the victims to send pictures to him on Snapchat and convinced her to perform sexual acts. The other says she received sexually inappropriate Snapchat messages from Rockwood and he asked her out to lunch while she was at work.
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Three teens face charges after a postal worker was robbed at gunpoint in Peoria. Police say the victim told officers that she was delivering the mail Monday when she was approached by an armed male who took her mail bag and some personal items before fleeing in a vehicle. Officers later located the suspect’s vehicle, which had been reported stolen. The 18, 16, and 15-year-old boys were observed walking away from the vehicle and were arrested following a brief chase.
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Mendota Police Department responded to 916 Main St for a 911 call with reported screaming in the background. After a brief investigation, 23-year-old Fredy M Balderas of Mendota was arrested on a domestic battery charge and was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Ottawa Police arrested a 16-year-old boy Tuesday at Columbus and Norris Drive on a charge of criminal property damage.
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46-year-old Derek R. Hornek and 42-year-old Allen G. Alexander, both of Streator, were arrested by Streator Police Tuesday afternoon after 4:30 in the 400 block of West Frech Street. Hornek and Alexander both have charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. They were released with a notice to appear in court.
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Mendota Police Department responded to 722 Main St for a report of a report of a battery incident. After a brief investigation, 33-year-old Lamirand Scott of Mendota was arrested for Battery and later released with a mandatory court date.
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A Joliet man has been charged with driving under the influence. 35-year-old Cesar Zavala was arrested by the Ottawa Police Department in the 100 block of East Norris Drive Tuesday.
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WEATHER:
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 4 pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 68. East-northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
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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William Russell Serby, 64, of Ottawa, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 23rd. A memorial service will be held at 6 pm on Thursday, August 29th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation for William Russell Serby will be from 4 to 6 pm before the service at the funeral home.
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Gerald (Jerry) Joseph Briel, 90, of Ottawa passed away peacefully Friday evening, August 16th, at Illinois Veteran’s Home of LaSalle surrounded by his loving family. Visitation for Gerald (Jerry) Joseph Briel will be held on Saturday, August 31st, from 8:30-10:00 a.m. at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian burial for Gerald (Jerry) Joseph Briel will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Ottawa.
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HS SPORTS:
Girls volleyball
Lexington def. Marquette: at Bader Gymnasium
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Streator def. Dwight: At Dwight,
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LPHS def. Princeton: in Princeton.
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South Beloit def. Earlville: At South Beloit
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Putnam County def. Mendota: At Mendota
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers had their game suspended in the top of the first inning because of rain at Guaranteed Rate Field yesterday. The teams will resume the game today as part of a doubleheader in Chicago. The Southsiders and Texas will have a 4 pm start and a 4:10 p.m. first pitch.
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A woman who was shot during a White Sox game in Chicago last year is suing both the team and the owner of Guaranteed Rate Field. A lawsuit states that the team and stadium owners were negligent in allowing a person to bring a gun into the park. The incident happened during a game against the Oakland A’s on August 25th of last year. Two women were hit by gunfire during the fourth inning. The team says the shots did not come from inside the stadium.
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The Cubs made easy work of the Pirates again following a 9-5 win from PNC Park. Dansby Swanson celebrated his mom’s birthday with a two-run homer while Seiya Suzuki also crushed a two-run shot. Justin Steele earned the win after giving up two runs over five innings. Chicago has won five of six to remain five-and-a-half games behind the Braves for the last NL Wild Card spot at 67-and-66. Kyle Hendricks starts for the Northsiders against Pittsburgh this afternoon.
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The Bears’ roster is down to 53 players. Chicago let go of quarterbacks Austin Reed and Brett Rypien. Other cuts include fullback Khari Blasingame, receiver Collin Johnson, and defensive back Adrian Colbert. The Bears are gearing up to host the Titans in week one of the regular season.
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The Chicago Sky will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they host the Washington Mystics at Wintrust Arena tonight. The Sky are coming off a 77-75 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. Chicago is in eighth place in the WNBA at 11-and-18. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
Highland 3, IVCC 0: At Freeport, the Eagles fell in three sets to the Cougars in Arrowhead Conference play to fall to 0-5 on the season and 0-1 in the conference.