Emergency pavement repair on northbound I-39 from Wenona to Lostant continued through the night, and IDOT’s traveler information website says the northbound lanes are still closed from Exit 37 – Illinois 17 at Wenona to Exit 42 – Illinois 18 at Lostant. The marked detour continues to use Illinois 251. IDOT says the project should be completed by the end of the day today.
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An accident near Newark Sunday night claimed the life of 38-year-old Joshua Nobs. According to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office and Grundy County Coroner John Callahan, Nobs’ vehicle veered off Townhouse Road around 7:00 p.m. and struck a culvert, causing it to overturn. Paramedics from the Newark Fire Protection District transported him to the Morris Hospital Emergency Department, where he was pronounced dead. The incident remains under investigation by the Grundy County Coroner’s Office and the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office.
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The Peru Target store was briefly evacuated Monday afternoon after reports of smoke in the back of the building. Firefighters from Peru and nearby departments responded around 3:45 p.m. to the store on Venture Drive, where employees and customers had already exited. Crews noted a light haze and a burnt rubber odor in the area but found no definitive source after inspecting the roof’s HVAC units. The store reopened shortly after, with the incident deemed unfounded. Firefighters advised the store manager to have the HVAC system further evaluated, as employees mentioned maintenance had been performed on the units earlier that day.
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The Women’s Inspired Network, a philanthropic organization under the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, recently hosted its Celebration of Giving, awarding $9,100 in grants to local nonprofits. Among the recipients were the Regional Office of Education 35’s Care Closet and the Braveheart Children’s Advocacy Center in Princeton, each receiving $3,000 to support vital community resources. Since its inception, WIN has distributed nearly $100,000 in grants and scholarships, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to empowering women and children and enhancing their quality of life through collective generosity.
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Testimony resumes today in Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial. U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski took the stand yesterday, revealing that the former Illinois House Speaker was referred to as “Sphinx” by some members of JB Pritzker’s team after he was elected in 2018. Jurors were shown an email using the nickname while referencing a job recommendation from Madigan for Pritzker’s new administration. Prosecutors could rest their case next week.
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The Illinois Supreme Court is denying a petition filed by the former Sangamon County deputy charged in the killing of Sonya Massey. Sean Grayson’s attorney filed a motion last week asking the state’s high court to order a Sangamon County judge to set his pre-trial release conditions immediately, as opposed to waiting for a January 2nd hearing. The latest ruling comes after Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser asked the Illinois Supreme Court to review an Appellate Court’s decision to release Grayson ahead of his trial.
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A Springfield man is accused of threatening to assassinate President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. Officials say Jacob Sterr made the threats on his X account on November 25th. He now faces federal charges and is due in court today.
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The state of Illinois is paying tribute to the Oak Park police officer who was killed in the line of duty last month. All US and state flags will be flown at half-staff throughout the state today until sunset on Thursday to honor Detective Allan Reddins. The officer was shot and killed on November 29th after confronting a man who had left a bank nearby with a gun. Jerell Thomas has been charged with his killing. Reddins will be laid to rest this week.
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Illinois State Police are touting their efforts in combating Chicago area expressway shootings. The ISP has obtained charges in all five deadly shootings on Chicago area expressways last year. The agency cited intelligent investigations, technology, and persistence for the 100-percent clearance rate. So far, Chicago area expressway shootings are down 32 percent this year compared to the same period last year.
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58-year-old Mary Cornwall of Ohio was arrested and booked into the Bureau County Jail on charges related to methamphetamine distribution. Originally charged in March with dealing meth and oxycodone, Cornwall appeared before a judge Monday in Princeton, where her pretrial release was revoked, and she was ordered to remain in custody.
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WEATHER:
Today
Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Marilyn “Mag” Maubach, 77, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, December 4th, at her home surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will take place TODAY, at 10:30 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery.
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Jacob Lee Sauer, 37, of St. Augustine, FL, formerly of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, December 4th, at the Community Hospice Bailey Family Center for Caring. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 12th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Maria Rose Durdan, 72, of Ottawa, passed away on October 20th, at her home after battling Type 1 Diabetes for almost 63 years. A visitation will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home on January 18th, from 2 PM – 4 PM. The Celebration of Life will follow at 4 PM.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls basketball
Seneca 60, Midland 44: At Seneca
Marquette 53, Dwight 34: At Dwight
Coal City 40, Streator 30: At Pops Dale Gymnasium
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Blackhawks showed some life with a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Taylor Hall knocked in the go-ahead goal in the second period, while Arvid Soderblom saved 29 shots in the victory. Tyler Bertuzzi also lit the lamp as the Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 20 points and a 9-17-and-2 record. They visit the Islanders on Thursday.
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The Chicago White Sox are bringing back Grady Sizemore. The team announced yesterday that Sizemore will remain on new manager Will Venable’s coaching staff as an offensive coordinator. Sizemore took over as Chicago’s interim manager after the club fired Pedro Grifol in August. He led the team to a 13-and-32 record during his tenure.
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The Chicago Bulls are gearing up for their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday. The Bulls are on a two-game losing streak after falling to the 76ers at home on Sunday. Chicago is tied for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 10-and-15 record. Friday’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Chicago Bears are preparing for their Week 15 NFC North clash with the Minnesota Vikings. The Bears visit Minnesota on Monday Night Football. Chicago is on a seven-game losing streak after getting crushed by San Francisco 38-13 in Week 14. The Bears are in last place in the NFC North at 4-and-9. Monday’s game kicks off at 7:00 PM.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Illinois Fighting Illini go for their first Big Ten win of the season when they host number-22 Wisconsin at State Farm Center tonight. The Illini dropped out of the top-25 after falling to Northwestern in overtime 70-66 last Friday. Illinois is 6-an-2 overall and 0-and-1 in conference play this season. Tonight’s game tips off at 8:00 PM.
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In other college basketball action tonight, DePaul hosts Providence.
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Women’s Basketball
Spoon River 70, IVCC 45: