During an I-80 traffic stop near Peru Tuesday, Illinois State seized 85 trash bags filled with marijuana, with each bag averaging 50 pounds, resulting in a total of approximately 4,500 pounds. 53-year-old Cesar D. Jimenez-Preciado of West Covina, California, has charges of cannabis trafficking and unlawful possession of cannabis. T Jimenez-Preciado appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court, where he requested additional time to hire a private attorney and to reconsider his decision against undergoing a pretrial risk assessment. Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. granted the extension, rescheduling the detention hearing for Thursday. The cannabis trafficking charge alone carries a potential sentence of 12 to 60 years. Prosecutors argued for his detention, citing the large quantity of marijuana and the potential flight risk, as Jimenez-Preciado was born in Mexico.
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A Marseilles family narrowly escaped a devastating house fire Tuesday night, though they tragically lost their pets in the incident. Firefighters were called to a two-story home in the 400 block of Washington Street at 9:25 p.m. and found the back of the home engulfed in flames. The blaze is believed to have started in the laundry room. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control within 20 minutes. While the family safely evacuated and no injuries were reported, their pets could not be saved. The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical malfunction, though a final investigation is still underway. Multiple local fire departments, including those from Ottawa, Seneca, Serena, Grand Ridge, and Wallace, responded to assist with the blaze. The American Red Cross is providing aid to the displaced family as they cope with their loss.
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The former St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley has been sold to the University of Veterinary and Animal Wellness LLC, based in Palm Springs, California. While details about the buyer’s plans for the 226,352-square-foot facility remain unclear. The hospital, which closed on June 16, 2023, was part of a bankruptcy sale and includes an adjoining 5,400-square-foot medical office. The city has been in contact with the buyer’s real estate agent and attorney to learn more about the intended use of the property.
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Bradley University in Peoria is offering a new tuition program designed to increase access to quality higher education for high-achieving students from Illinois. The Bradley Commitment offers full tuition coverage to qualifying students. The initiative is part of Bradley’s ongoing effort to ensure equitable access to a world-class education for all students.
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Jury selection is slow-moving in the racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. No jurors were selected for a second straight day yesterday. As a result, opening statements won’t likely begin until next week. Madigan and longtime confidant, Michael McClain, are charged with conspiring to participate in an array of bribery and extortion schemes.
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The Illinois State Police and Governor Pritzker are honoring Trooper Brian Frank with the Illinois Law Enforcement Medal of Honor. The medal is awarded to officers who have been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty. Frank suffered a severe brain injury after a vehicle slammed into his squad car in February 2021 on I-55 in Will County. His wife has been an advocate for Scott’s Law, which requires drivers approaching an emergency vehicle to slow down and move over.
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Authorities are identifying the teen accused of killing his teenage girlfriend in Lee County. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office says 16-year-old Jaedyn Hill was found strangled to death Tuesday morning in an apartment on Richardson Avenue in Ashton. Prosecutors charged 17-year-old David Sosa with murder in her death. The victim’s body was discovered after Sosa walked into the lobby of the Rochelle Police Department and said he was involved in a homicide at the apartment. He is being held at the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center.
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31-year-old Malcolm Whitfield of Streator is charged with shooting three people, and killing one, and will go to trial on January 21. His trial was originally set for October 28 but was postponed after he requested a continuance, waiving his right to a speedy trial. Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. scheduled a final pre-trial conference for January 3. Whitfield faces a possible sentence of up to 145 years and is held in La Salle County Jail. The case involves the spring 2023 fatal shooting of Shaquita Kelly and has experienced delays due to its complexity. An accomplice, Rachael N. Carter, pleaded guilty to lesser charges and was sentenced to four years, being paroled on September 20.
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22-year-old Nathaniel Haff-Fleuch of Marseilles was recently sentenced in La Salle County to 14 years in prison for child pornography and the sexual abuse of a child under 13. As part of a plea deal, additional charges of child pornography and sexual abuse were dropped. Court records indicate the crimes occurred in 2019 and 2020. Haff-Fleuch will receive credit for over 200 days already served in jail and will face four years of probation following his release.
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Ottawa Police arrested two female juveniles, a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old, early today on charges of curfew violation and resisting a peace officer.
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28-year-old Kristyn D. Bembenek of Melrose Park was arrested early today on a domestic battery charge after Ottawa Police investigated an incident at 1839 LaSalle Street.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
Widespread frost before 9 am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 65. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday Night
Clear, with a low of around 39. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Judy Whitney passed away peacefully on October 16th, at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. A private memorial will be scheduled at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
FOOTBALL -Ottawa Pirates Vs. Rochelle Hubs
When: 7 p.m. Friday – Guest announcer Cory from Friendship House
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VOLLEYBALL
At Ottawa: No. 4-seeded St. Bede lost to No. 9 Lowpoint-Washburn in a Tri-County Conference Tournament consolation semifinal Wednesday at Marquette.
Woodland 2, Midland 0: At Bader Gym in the consolation bracket of the Tri-County Conference Tournament, the Warriors advanced to Thursday’s 5 p.m. consolation title match with the straight-sets victory over the Timberwolves.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox might be for sale. The Athletic is reporting that Jerry Reinsdorf is open to selling the team. Reinsdorf was part of a group that bought the team in 1981 and is considered the principal owner with a 19-percent stake in the franchise. The report added that Reinsdorf is already in active talks with former All-Star starting pitcher Dave Stewart. The potential new owner would be taking over a team coming off the worst season in modern MLB history after the White Sox finished 2024 with a 41-and-121 record.
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The Chicago Blackhawks will try to get back in the win column when they play against the San Jose Sharks in their home opener from United Center tonight. The Blackhawks are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday night. Chicago is in sixth place in the Central Division with three points and a 1-2-and-1 record to begin the season. Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 PM.
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The Chicago Bulls avoided disaster with a 125-123 preseason win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at United Center. The Bulls blew an 18-point second-half lead before Javon Carter knocked down a go-ahead three with under 20 seconds left in regulation. Lonzo Ball scored ten points and added a steal, block, assist, and rebound in his first NBA game since January of 2022. Koby White led Chicago with 23 points. The Bulls are 2-and-2 in exhibition play. Chicago wraps up preseason with a game against the Cavs tomorrow night.
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Caleb Williams is being recognized for his superstar performance during Week Six. The Bears rookie quarterback was named the FedEx Air Player of the Week yesterday. Williams beat out division rivals Jordan Love and Jared Goff for the award after completing 23 of his 29 pass attempts for 226 yards and four touchdowns during Chicago’s 35-16 win over the Jaguars in London last Sunday. Williams and the Bears have a bye this week before taking on the Washington Commanders in Week Eight.
Bears tight end Cole Kmet is named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week. He went into emergency duty as a long snapper during Sunday’s win over the Jaguars in London after Scott Daly was injured. Kmet successfully snapped all of the five made extra points. He also led Bears receivers with five receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns.