La Salle County Judge Michael C. Jansz sentenced a youth to an indefinite term in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, not to exceed his 21st birthday, with 125 days of credit for time served. In court, the youth expressed remorse, apologizing for his decisions, and Jansz approved an agreement recommending the teen earn his GED, noting his good behavior while in the La Salle County Detention Home. However, the judge deemed a custodial sentence necessary due to the teen’s previous firearm offense, defiance of household rules, and a period when his whereabouts were unknown. The youth was arrested on June 20 in Naplate after Ottawa police linked him to a gunshot fired near a carnival at Riverfront Park. Detectives gathered witness statements, and video evidence, and quickly apprehended the teen, who was also wanted for a probation violation.
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Opening statements will resume today in the racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. As opening statements began yesterday, prosecutors said Madigan used his status to betray the public trust, increase his power, enrich his friends, and line his own pockets. Madigan’s attorney urged the jury to focus on what his intentions were, and not what somebody else says on wiretapped recordings. The former House Speaker and longtime confidant, Michael McClain, are charged with conspiring to participate in an array of bribery and extortion schemes. McClain’s attorneys are expected to present their opening statement today.
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20-year-old Jaylen M. McDaniel has two charges of burglary after an Ottawa Police investigation into a break-in at Beer & Cigarette Depot on East Joliet Street. A nearby resident reported a burglary in progress at the store just after midnight on October 18th. Following the investigation at the scene, Ottawa detectives also discovered a drive-through window at Burger King on East Norris Drive had been broken. With the assistance of the LaSalle County State’s Attorney’s Office, search warrants for McDaniel’s vehicle and residence were obtained leading to multiple pieces of evidence being recovered. McDaniel was arrested shortly before Noon on the 18th and later released with a notice to appear in court.
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An Oglesby woman has charges from LaSalle County for violation of an order of protection, unlawful use of a weapon, and three counts of violations of pretrial release. 28-year-old Machelle Wall was arrested shortly after 3:00 o’clock Tuesday afternoon on East 499th Road in LaSalle Township and was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Ottawa’s second K-9, a 2-year-old yellow lab named Iron, is set to join the police force thanks to a $12,000 donation from La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro. Half of the funds will cover the cost of bringing Iron on board, while the other half will go toward training expenses. Ottawa Officer Joel Smith, Iron’s handler, will accompany him to Iowa for four weeks of training, with the goal of having Iron on duty by December to focus on drug detection and trafficking.
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Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging nearly 140-thousand residents to cash the unclaimed property checks that are arriving in the mail. The checks were sent out as part of the latest round of the Enhanced Money Match program, which allows the Treasurer’s Office to automatically return missing money to people without the need to file a claim. Since 2018, the Illinois Treasurer’s Office has returned more than 102 million dollars to nearly 422 thousand people through the program.
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning consumers about vehicles that were damaged by flooding caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Preliminary industry estimates indicate the hurricanes flooded thousands of vehicles in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. That includes new and used vehicles on dealership lots. Raoul said there are some dishonest businesses and individuals who may try to sell flood-damaged cars without revealing a vehicle’s true history.
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources reminds deer hunters that free chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is available at select locations. CWD, a fatal disease affecting the central nervous system of deer and elk, was first detected in Illinois in 2002 and is now confined to 21 northern counties. Wildlife biologists monitor CWD by testing hunter-harvested deer, and while the disease is not known to affect humans, consuming CWD-positive venison is discouraged. Hunters can drop off deer heads at participating vendors or self-serve sites, or have samples taken by a biologist at mandatory firearm check stations during the 2024 season. Results are available online within two to four weeks, with priority given to counties with known CWD cases. Visit https://dnr.illinois.gov for more information.
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A brush fire along Route 89 near Spring Valley Ford on Sunday, October 13th, required the response of several dozen fire departments and over 200,000 gallons of water to extinguish in about three hours. Sixty-one-year-old Montgomery Moreno of Spring Valley has been issued a citation for negligent burning and was given a notice to appear in court for allegedly starting the blaze.
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The Illinois Department on Aging is offering free help to those with Medicare during this year’s Open Enrollment Period. The agency is encouraging everyone with Medicare to check if their plan still meets their needs and budget during open enrollment, which runs through December 7th. Individuals can get free help comparing health and drug plan options by contacting the state’s Senior Health Insurance Program.
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The Illinois Valley Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, November 4th, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at the Utica Fire Station, just south of Casey’s on Route 178. Please use the back entrance for parking. Robert Maziarka, ACIP and Pharmacist Manager at Walgreens in Ottawa, will discuss current medications for Parkinson’s symptoms and non-pharmacological options to enhance quality of life. Dan Retoff will also present a gut bacteria that may contribute to the disease. Spouses, caregivers, family, and friends are welcome. For more information, call Sue at (815)434-7114.
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Chicago is the most rat-infested city in the nation for the tenth year in a row. Pest control giant Orkin rated the Windy City number one. Los Angeles holds the number two spot and New York stayed in third place. San Francisco passed Washington, D.C. for fourth place.
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Illinois is postponing tax deadlines for individuals and businesses affected by severe weather and flooding in the state from July 13th to the 16th. Affected taxpayers now have until February 3rd, 2025, to file various state individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. Relief is being offered to any area designated by FEMA, including Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago counties.
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WEATHER:
Today
Mostly cloudy, then gradual clearing during the afternoon, with a high near 63. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
Clear, with a low of around 36. North northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
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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 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 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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Ottawa Dolphins Place 2nd at DCST Quad-meet
163 Swimmers competed from 4 teams
The Ottawa Dolphins had 53 swimmers participate
Team Scores
· Kishwaukee Y – 1197
· Ottawa Y Dolphins – 790
· Kankakee Y – 202
· Illinois Valley Y Dolphins – 130
Personal Best Swims
· 65/159 (41%) personal best swims
· Five Dolphins swam all of their events with a personal best time. Congratulations to Caden Brown, Olivia Hogue, Kallyn Jobst, Colter O’Brien, and Payton Wallace.
Triple Event Winners
Brennen Heaver
Double Event Winners
Caden Brown, Ryland Heaver, Dawsynn Kettman, Jonathan Neu
Single Event Winners
Evelyn Andree, Dane Hawkins, Davis Hawkins, Dax, Hawkins, Kallyn Jobst, Ben Kuiper, Bryce Marks, Atley Strow.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bears hold their first practice for Week Eight at Halas Hall today. The Bears take on the Washington Commander this Sunday. Chicago is coming off a bye in Week Seven, and the Bears have won their last three games. Chicago is in last place in the NFC North with a 4-and-2 record. The team will also release its first injury report for the week this afternoon.
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The Chicago Blackhawks got off to a rough start during a 6-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks at United Center. The Blackhawks gave up four goals in the first period and trailed the rest of the way. Ryan Donato, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Taylor Hall all scored in the losing effort. Chicago is in seventh place in the Central Division with five points and a 2-4-and-1 record. The Hawks host the Predators on Friday.
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The Chicago Bulls begin their 2024-25 campaign when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center tonight. The Bulls are coming off a season that saw them finish in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 39-and-43 record. Chicago won its first play-in game but lost to Miami in the second one. The Bulls lost All-Star forward DeMar DeRozan during the offseason, but they’re getting Lonzo Ball back after a two-and-a-half-year injury, and they acquired Josh Giddey from the Thunder. Tonight’s game starts at 7:00 PM.
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Governor JB Pritzker is doubling down on his position of not providing state funds for a proposed stadium for the White Sox. He says he’s not in favor of helping wealthy private businesses with taxpayer money. The baseball team on Chicago’s South Side has proposed building a sports venue at a location in the South Loop known as The 78. Meanwhile, Crain’s Chicago Business is reporting that there are rumors that Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf is in talks to sell the team to a group in Nashville.