Starting today, the westbound lane of West Madison Street in Ottawa will be closed from Armstrong Street to Boyce Memorial Drive for street repairs, affecting traffic and parking in the 1400, 1500, and 1600 blocks. The closure will last until Tuesday, Sept. 10, and details on repairs to the eastbound lane will be announced next week, according to the city. In addition, the 100 block of West Madison Street in downtown Ottawa is still closed to westbound traffic while a street repair continues following a water main project. The street is expected to reopen by late in the day Friday.
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Construction has started on the Ryall and 2nd Street project in Marseilles. The work involves repaving and replacing curbs and gutters. Due to the heavy presence of construction equipment in the area, those not residing within the work area are advised to seek alternative routes. The City of Marseilles ensures that residents have convenient access in and out of the area, and they kindly ask for your patience during this time. In addition, construction has begun on the Broadway Park project. City crews are currently removing the fence around the tennis courts, and the contractor will also be deploying construction equipment. Caution to drivers is advised near the Broadway Park area.
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The Ottawa Fire Department held its first-ever pinning ceremony on Monday morning to celebrate the promotions of Adam Wampler to captain and Cameron Lair to lieutenant. The emotional event, attended by firefighters, city officials, and the honorees’ families, saw Wampler’s daughter, Kendall, and Lair’s daughter, Alayna, pin the insignia on their fathers. Both men, longtime firefighters and paramedics, expressed pride in their accomplishments and gratitude for their families’ support. Wampler will now lead Shift 2, where Lair will serve as one of the lieutenants, continuing their service to the community.
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A 59-year-old Van Orin man, William Kozeal, died Saturday after falling through a skylight while painting a commercial building in Peru, according to a release from the La Salle County Coroner’s Office. Preliminary autopsy results confirm he suffered fatal injuries from the fall. The incident, which occurred at No. 7 Terminal Road, is under investigation by the coroner’s office, Peru Police Department, and OSHA.
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The Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall County Health Department report that nearly 40% of ticks collected in Bureau County tested positive for the Lyme disease bacterium, while one tick carried the bacterium responsible for Hard Tick Relapsing Fever. Lyme disease, one of the fastest-growing illnesses in the U.S., causes symptoms like fever, joint pain, and fatigue. Since tick bites are often unnoticed, it’s crucial to promptly remove any tick using fine-tipped tweezers, store it in a container, and contact the health department for further guidance.
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A federal judge is calling a ban on concealed carry owners in Illinois from carrying guns on public transportation unconstitutional. The ruling is the result of a 2022 lawsuit filed by four people who claim the ban violated their Second Amendment right to self-defense. Illinois’ 2013 concealed carry law limited license holders from carrying firearms into certain places, including government buildings, stadiums, hospitals, or public transportation. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office said it will likely appeal the decision.
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In Ottawa Township, LaSalle County Deputies conducted a routine traffic stop near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Marquette Street. The stop resulted in the arrest of 43-year-old Allen Derby of Mendota, who was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, methamphetamine, and 30.63 grams of cocaine, authorities said. Derby is also facing charges of possession with intent to deliver and was found to have an active warrant from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). He was taken into custody and transported to the LaSalle County Jail for further processing.
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A routine traffic stop in Ottawa Township led to the arrest of a Riverdale man on multiple charges. Deputies from the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle near Route 23 and Kain Street. The driver, identified as 23-year-old Fabian Woods, was taken into custody. Woods was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended license (DWLS) and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. He was transported to the LaSalle County Jail and later released with a notice to appear in court.
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43-year-old Carlton T. Young of Sauk Village was arrested by Ottawa Police Wednesday at Masinelli Field on a charge of retail theft.
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Mendota Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Lincoln Ave and 14th St. As a result of that stop the driver, Samuel Arteaga Jr, 41, of Mendota, was arrested for Driving While License Revoked. Arteaga was transported to the Mendota Police Department where he was processed and later released with a mandatory September 24th, LaSalle County court date.
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Sixteen inmates and two McHenry County correctional officers were hospitalized after a McHenry County Sheriff’s Office transport bus collided with a sedan Wednesday afternoon in Hainesville. The crash occurred as the bus was returning inmates to McHenry County Jail from Lake County court. All inmates, including 15 from Lake County and one from McHenry County, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Initial reports suggest was caused by the bus hitting the turning sedan.
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Two Police Officers are wounded after being shot in Macomb. Authorities say the incident happened last night while the officers were serving a warrant. The officer entered a home and was immediately fired upon. Both were hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The shooting scene is near the Western Illinois University campus.
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Health officials are reporting the first human case of West Nile Virus in Christian County. The Christian County Health Department says a person in their 60s tested positive on August 22nd. The person has been experiencing mild fatigue. The Christian County Health Department conducts weekly testing of mosquito samples collected from areas in the county.
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WEATHER:
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming southwest at 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
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Tonight
Scattered showers and thunderstorms between 8 pm and 4 am, then isolated showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61
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OBITUARIES:
Roger Gary Stortz, 78, of Elmwood, IL, (Born in Ottawa) passed away Friday, August 30th, at Carle Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Visitation will be today from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Joseph Lubshina, 73, of Ottawa, passed away suddenly at home on Sunday, September 1st. A visitation/celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 7th, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Joan Adams, 92, of Ottawa, formerly of Wilmington, IL, passed away Tuesday, September 3rd, at Pleasant View Lutheran Home. Following Joan’s wishes, no services will be held. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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HS SPORTS:
Girls golf
Seneca 193, Coal City 222: At The Creek on Wednesday
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Boys golf
Ottawa 151, La Salle-Peru 181: At Senica’s Oak Ridge
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Streator 161, Woodland 191, St. Bede 201: At the Eastwood
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Boys soccer
Streator 6, Cornerstone Christian 3: At the James Street Soccer Complex
Mendota 6, Rochelle 2: In Mendota
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GIRLS TENNIS
St. Bede 4, Kewanee 1: at La Salle.
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PRO SPORTS:
The White Sox snapped a 12-game losing streak after blowing out the Orioles 8-1 at Camden Yards. Jonathan Cannon was credited with the win after striking out four and allowing one run over five and two-thirds innings. Nicky Lopez, Andrew Vaughn, and Dominic Fletcher each went deep in the victory. Chicago is now 32-and-109. The Southsiders are back in action against the Red Sox tomorrow night.
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The Cubs combined to no-hit the Pirates in a 12-0 win from Wrigley Field. Shota Imanaga gave up just two walks and struck out seven batters over his seven-inning start. Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge didn’t allow a walk over the final two frames. Cody Bellinger and Dansby Swanson blasted two-run homers while Pete Crow-Armstrong slugged a solo shot and drove in three runs. Chicago remains four-and-a-half games behind the Braves for the last NL Wild Card spot at 72-and-68. The Northsiders host the Yankees tomorrow. In other club news, the Cubs placed starting pitcher Justin Steele and reliever Jorge Lopez on the 15-day injured list yesterday.
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The Bears are dealing with some nagging injuries. Six players were limited in yesterday’s practice, including defensive end Montez Sweat, wide receiver Keenan Allen, and running back Roschon Johnson. No players missed practice completely. The Bears open their season against the Titans on Sunday. The game kicks off at noon.
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The Bulls are adding some depth in their backcourt. The team signed Talen Horton-Tucker to a partially guaranteed contract yesterday. The 23-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Utah Jazz. He started in 11 of his 51 appearances last season, averaging 10-point-one points and three-and-a-half assists per game.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
Sauk Valley 3, IVCC 0: The Eagles lost in an Arrowhead Conference match in Oglesby and are now 0 – 7 on the season.