A couple of traffic notes this morning. Broadway Street from Aurora Avenue to Grant Street in Marseilles will be closed today from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for scheduled construction work. Broadway Street will be open for the beginning and end of the day at Marseilles Elementary School. And, weekend lane closures are in place on I-80 in Joliet. Starting Friday night, there will be lane closures between Richards Street and Houbolt Road so crews can perform bridge deck repairs and pavement patching. At least one westbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times, and the ramps and eastbound I-80 won’t be impacted. This is the second of four planned weekend closures along the I-80 corridor through Joliet.
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The Seneca Police Department Tuesday released a statement on Facebook stating that they are actively monitoring current threats that have been circulating on social media toward the schools in Seneca. These threats, which have been a concern across the United States over the past week, have appeared in various forms on Snapchat and have been widely shared in local and nationwide communities. As of now, the Seneca Police Department said there is no evidence to substantiate these threats in any of the jurisdictions. The Seneca Police Department’s School Resource Officers are collaborating with Seneca schools and their administrations to address the situation. Appropriate actions will be taken if any credible information is received.
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LaSalle County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the Sand Man Motel, about a robbery. A short time after arrival a male victim was transported to the hospital, with injuries sustained from the incident. He was later released. Suspects were developed during the case which led deputies to a residence in the 300 block of E Minnesota Street, Spring Valley, IL. Suspects were detained due to the investigation. At approximately 09:48 AM the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by Spring Valley Police Department, executed a search warrant on a residence. Tony M Wright 20 of Spring Valley, was later charged with Robbery. He is currently being held at the LaSalle County Jail. This incident is still under investigation by the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office and the LaSalle County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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During the Ottawa City Council meeting Tuesday night, the council held a brief public hearing involving the annexation of a parcel of property owned by the parent company of the First National Bank of Ottawa. American Commercial Bank and Trust were seeking to annex the rear half of a lot that was already partially within Ottawa’s city limits. Another public hearing will be part of the October 1st council meeting again involving an annexation agreement. Also during last night’s meeting, the Ottawa City Council authorized bids to be let for a water main extension to serve three homes in the Oak Terrace neighborhood on the northwest side of Caton Road.
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A family medicine doctor is leaving OSF Healthcare in Ottawa at the end of the year. Dr. Austin Martin will open Holy Family Direct Primary Care in Ottawa in January. This membership-based medical practice offers same-day appointments, direct communication with the physician, and cost savings for patients. Dr. Martin will his new practice in a professional office building at 116 W. Lafayette St. The practice will be limited to 500 to 600 patients to maintain a high level of care and availability. For more information, visit holyfamilydpc.com.
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North Central Behavioral Health Systems has announced the opening of its new facility in the historic Hygienic Institute building in La Salle. The institute, originally founded in 1914 to provide healthcare during local epidemics, will now serve as a hub for behavioral health services, including crisis management, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. The new facility will feature a Behavioral Health Urgent Care Clinic, offering immediate walk-in care for individuals in crisis, such as those experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. The clinic will operate weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The organization is hosting an Open House and Ribbon Cutting in November to celebrate the new development. For more information, NCBHS can be contacted at 815-224-1610 or at their main office at 2970 Chartres St., LaSalle.
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Illinois Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Department is organizing a bus trip to Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The 33,000-acre marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States, and hosts over 300 species of birds throughout the year. Fall is a great time to visit as it brings an impressive number of migrating ducks, sandhill cranes, and Canada geese. There’s even a chance of spotting a whooping crane! The tour will include a pontoon boat ride to explore the marsh, lunch at a local favorite restaurant, and a self-guided tour of The Explorium’s interactive exhibits to learn about the marsh’s evolution from the Ice Age to the present. For more information or to register, visit ivcc.edu/enroll. The Class ID for this trip is 18142, and the cost is $169.
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Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to reverse his conviction for faking a hate crime in Chicago in 2019. Smollett appeared before the justices on Tuesday with his lawyers, who argued that a previous agreement with the Cook County State’s Attorney should have kept a trial from happening in the first place. His lawyers said Smollett had agreed to a plea deal to drop the charges against him in exchange for a ten-thousand-dollar bond and community service, and added, “A deal’s a deal.” The court said it would take the matter under advisement and reach a decision within three to four months.
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Jury deliberations are underway in the trial of the former AT&T Illinois president accused of trying to bribe ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Paul La Schiazza was indicted in October 2022 with conspiring to pay a former state lawmaker 25 hundred dollars a month in consulting fees as part of a plan to win Madigan’s backing of legislation in Springfield. Following closing arguments yesterday, the jury deliberated for about an hour and a half without reaching a verdict.
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A Streator woman, Ashley Moats, 32, faces multiple felony charges, including burglary, retail theft, and possession of a stolen credit card. She was placed under GPS monitoring Monday with a warning from a judge that any violation could land her in La Salle County Jail. Moats was arrested Saturday by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office for failing to appear in court. Her charges stem from incidents where she allegedly stole items from a vehicle at a nursing home and a retail store. Her accomplice, Nicholas Huber, 36, also arrested for failure to appear, was released under home confinement. Local police have referred to the pair as “Bonnie and Clyde” on social media, warning merchants to remain alert.
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36-year-old Richard M. Venegas of LaSalle faced multiple arrests over the span of two days. On the 14th, Venegas was arrested at Maitri Path to Wellness on battery charges. The following morning, at approximately 9:08 a.m., Venegas was again taken into custody by Peru police, this time in the parking lot of the Tou Rest Motel. He was charged with criminal trespass to real estate property and issued a non-traffic citation. Later that same afternoon, at around 1:05 p.m., officers returned to the Tou Rest Motel and arrested Venegas once more. He was formally charged with battery and released with a future court date pending.
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A 47-year-old Princeton man faces several charges after his arrest by Ottawa Police Tuesday in the 100 block of West Campbell Street. Joshua A. Ellis was picked up on a pre-trial release violation and a violation of the conditions of pre-trial release.
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Nathaniel D. Smith, 29, of Spring Valley, was taken into custody by the Peru police. He was charged with operating an uninsured motor vehicle and driving with a canceled, suspended, or revoked registration.
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Ottawa Police charged 31-year-old David Carroll of Ottawa with criminal trespass to a vehicle Tuesday following an incident in the 1100 block of West Main Street.
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On Monday, September 16, 2024, at approximately 8:06 a.m., Peru Police arrested 34-year-old Stephanie A. Fix at her residence on West Sturgeon Lane. Fix, a Chillicothe resident, was taken into custody on a warrant issued by Peoria County. She was later released after being issued a notice to appear in court. Further details on the warrant were not immediately available.
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37-year-old Devon L. Riggens of Mendota was stopped just after midnight Wednesday by Mendota Police near the intersection of 7th Avenue and 1st Street on a failure to appear warrant out of Lee County. Riggens posted a bond and was released with a court date.
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Patchy fog before 8 am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. East-northeast winds around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
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OBITUARIES:
Donald Ondrey, 69, of Ottawa, IL, passed away on September 13th, at his home in Ottawa with his wife by his side. The visitation will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 18th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 AM-10:00 AM. The funeral ceremony will be at Ottawa Funeral Home beginning at 10:00 AM. The interment will be at the Saint Stephen Cemetery.
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Vah-va-roo-sas
Nicholas ‘Nick’ Vavaroutsos, age 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2nd, at his home in Sparta, Greece. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Ottawa Funeral Home. Funeral Service will follow the visitation on Saturday. Internment will follow at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
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MS SPORTS:
Congratulations to the Shepherd Lady Rams Softball team on their 6-1 win over Coal City in the IESA Regional Championship! The Lady Rams will play at the IESA Sectional on Saturday @ Minooka at 11:00 am vs. Normal.
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HS SPORTS:
Football
Ottawa vs. Kaneland – 7 pm on WCMY
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Girls volleyball
Kaneland 2, Ottawa 1: At Kingman Gym
Streator 2, Manteno 1: At Pops Dale Gymnasium
Newark 2, Serena 0: At Serena
Earlville 2, Indian Creek 1:
Erie-Prophetstown 2, Mendota 0:
Somonauk 2, Leland 0: At Somonauk
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Boys golf
Ottawa 146, Rochelle 164:
Streator 148, Reed-Custer 210: At the Eastwood
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Girls golf
Sterling 211, La Salle-Peru 211: at Emerald Hill Golf Course in Sterling.
Seneca 200, Dwight 203, Watseka 227, Iroquois West 240: At Dwight Country Club
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Boys soccer
Oregon 3, Earlville 0:
Streator 1, Monmouth-Roseville 1: At the James Street Athletic Complex,
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Boys cross country
Ottawa 2nd, Somonauk 4th, Streator 6th at Baker Lake: At La Salle
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Girls cross country
Ottawa wins 4-team meet: At Baker Lake,
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Girls Tennis
LaSalle Peru Lady Cavs top the Ottawa Lady Pirates 8 to 1 in an interstate 8 dual match.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox had just six hits during a 5-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Davis Martin was charged with his fifth loss after allowing three runs on seven hits in five innings. The Southsiders remain in last place in the AL Central at 36-and-116. The Sox take on the Angels again this afternoon.
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The Chicago Cubs left nine runners on base during a 4-3 loss to the Oakland A’s at Wrigley Field. The Northsiders went just one-for-six with runners in scoring position. Ian Happ hit two home runs in the losing effort, while Jordan Wicks was charged with his fourth loss after surrendering four runs on seven hits in five innings. Chicago is now six games out of the final NL Wild Card spot at 77-and-74. Justin Steele starts for the Cubs against Oakland this afternoon.
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The Chicago Sky’s playoff chances took a hit with an 86-70 loss to the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena. The Sky trailed by as many as 18 points in the losing effort. Rachel Banham led the team with 22 points, while Lindsay Allen finished with 16. Chicago is a game out of the final WNBA playoff spot at 13-and-26. The Sky’s last game is tomorrow against the Sun.
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The Chicago Bears begin their week of practice at Halas Hall today. Chicago is preparing to face the Indianapolis Colts on the road this Sunday. The Bears are off to a 1-and-1 start this season. The team will also release its first injury report for the week today.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
IVCC 3, Kishwaukee 0: The Lady Eagles volleyball team won in an Arrowhead Conference match in Oglesby yesterday.
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Womans Soccer: The Lady Eagles soccer team takes on Kishwaukee today at home at 4 pm.