Two Spring Valley men, Justin E. Qasem and William J. Vargas, both 19, were granted pre-trial release on Monday after being charged with mob action, a Class 4 felony, in connection with a non-fatal stabbing in La Salle. The charges stem from a Sept. 29 incident where a youth was stabbed at Ninth and Lafayette streets. The youth has since made a full recovery, according to La Salle police. Qasem and Vargas appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court and are scheduled for arraignment on Nov. 7, with a judge approving their requests for public defenders. A third man, Davion K. Douglas, 20, also of Spring Valley, faces similar charges but is not yet in custody.
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Streator firefighters quickly contained a fire that broke out Sunday evening at a home on 600 South Sterling Street, limiting damage to minor smoke exposure. Responding around 5:50 p.m., crews encountered light smoke and traced the source to a mattress and box spring burning in a bedroom. The fire was extinguished in under five minutes, and the smoldering items were removed from the home, preventing further spread. No injuries were reported, and the Streator Fire Department has completed its investigation. Several agencies, including Vermilion Valley Dispatch, Streator Police, Nicor, ComEd, and the American Red Cross, assisted in the response.
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A 61-year-old Spring Valley man, Montgomery L. Moreno, has been charged with negligent burning, a Class C misdemeanor, for his involvement in an October 13 brush fire that required assistance from over 30 companies to contain, according to police. Moreno faces up to 30 days in jail and has been given a notice to appear in Bureau County Circuit Court on November 8. Efforts to reach Moreno were unsuccessful, and his previous lawyer had no comment. Spring Valley Police Chief Adam Curran had earlier predicted a minor charge after the fire spread across a field near Valley Memorial Park, fueled by high winds and exacerbated by maintenance at the city’s water tower, necessitating water transport by fire crews.
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The OSF OnCall digital health team will bring the OSF OnCall King Care-A-Van to the LaSalle County Health Department parking lot at 717 Etna Road in Ottawa on October 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., offering FREE health screenings. Services include blood pressure, pulse oximetry, blood glucose, and cholesterol checks (please fast for 8-12 hours for glucose and cholesterol), healthcare navigation, technology assistance with OSF MyChart, connection to community resources, and enrollment in the Medicaid Innovation Collaborative program. No appointment is needed.
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Thirty-one-year-old Anthony Brito Jr. of Ottawa appeared in court Thursday, where the judge ruled he is mentally fit to stand trial, setting a jury trial date for January 21st. Brito faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, harassing a witness, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors allege that the incident occurred last September when Brito spotted a vehicle driven by a witness in a separate case of his near downtown Ottawa. He then instructed his driver to follow the vehicle, and after catching up, Brito allegedly opened fire, though no one was injured, with the bullets striking the windshield. He was arrested the following day after a standoff with police in Ottawa.
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OSF HealthCare is pleased to welcome Katie Marshall, APRN, to its obstetrics and gynecology team. She will provide women’s health and midwifery services in Ottawa and the surrounding areas. Katie will work at OSF Medical Group – Obstetrics and Gynecology in Ottawa and Peru. She has a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati and is certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board. Katie offers expert care in obstetrics, gynecology, and midwifery, ensuring personalized services for patients. To schedule an appointment with Katie or any member of the OSF obstetrics and gynecology team, please call (815) 431-0435.
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Ottawa police responded to a call just after midnight from a neighbor reporting a burglary in progress at Beer & Cigarette Depot on East Joliet Street. Upon arrival, officers found clear signs of a crime, and while detectives processed the scene, patrol officers discovered a broken drive-through window at a nearby Burger King on East Norris Drive. Video surveillance led to the identification of 20-year-old Jaylen McDaniel as the suspect. Search warrants uncovered incriminating evidence, and McDaniel was charged with two counts of burglary before being released with a court date.
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Dyan M. Langston, a 48-year-old female residing at 1401 Bluff St., Apt 1, in Peru, was arrested at 6:55 p.m. on charges of domestic battery. Following her arrest, Langston was transported to the LaSalle County Jail, where she was released into their custody.
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WEATHER:
Today
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Sherri Bossen, 56, of Mendota, passed away surrounded by family on October 20th, at the Morris Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
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Diana Kay Adkins Brandt, age 56, of Morehead, Kentucky, passed Thursday, October 17th, at UK St. Claire Hospital in Morehead. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 23rd, at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held immediately following at 6 p.m.
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Paul T. Carpenter, 80, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, October 18th, at the Arc at Streator Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23rd, at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park. Burial will follow the services at the Cemetery with Full Military Rites conducted by the American Legion Post 33 Veteran’s Group Honor Guard. Visitation will be held an hour before the service at the mausoleum. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Harold Mercker, 66, of Ottawa, passed away on October 15th, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. A visitation will be on Saturday, October 26th, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. The luncheon will follow at The Knights of Columbus in Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Marquette vs Dwight/Gardner-South Wilmington
When: 7 p.m. Friday at Gould Stadium
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Blackhawks will try to get back in the win column when they host the Vancouver Canucks at United Center tonight. The Blackhawks just lost to the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 last Saturday. Chicago is in sixth place in the Central Division with six points and a 2-3-and-1 record. Tonight’s game starts at 7:15 PM.
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The Chicago Bears may be short-handed in their secondary when they take on the upstart Washington Commanders this weekend. Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters yesterday that safety Jaquan Brisker is still in concussion protocol while cornerback Kyler Gordon is still dealing with a hamstring injury. Brisker was injured in Week Five, while Gordon got hurt during Chicago’s Week Six game in London. Eberflus added that the team will see where the pair are at with their recoveries tomorrow.
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Nico Hoerner is working on getting back to full health before the 2025 season. The Cubs announced yesterday that their second baseman had surgery to repair the right flexor tendon in his hand earlier this month. The club did not give a timetable for Hoerner’s recovery. The 27-year-old hit .273 with seven home runs, 48 RBI, and 31 steals last season.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
IVCC welcomes Black Hawk College at 6:00 PM in Oglesby.