The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that the smell of raw cannabis in a vehicle gives police probable cause to search, contrasting its earlier decision that the odor of burnt cannabis does not justify such action. This ruling, decided 4-2 with Justice Lisa Holder White abstaining, upheld the search of a car with passenger Vincent Molina after an officer detected raw cannabis during a 2020 traffic stop. While Illinois law permits recreational cannabis use, it requires cannabis in vehicles to be stored in sealed, odor-proof, and child-resistant containers. The majority opinion stated that the smell of raw cannabis indicates a likely law violation, unlike burnt cannabis, which suggests only prior use. Dissenting justices argued this unfairly stigmatizes cannabis users. Meanwhile, attempts to restrict vehicle searches based on cannabis odors have stalled in the legislature.
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Former State Representative Eddie Acevedo could take the stand in Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial. The judge ruled yesterday that Acevedo must testify if called by prosecutors. The order was handed down despite concerns about Acevedo’s mental health. The 61-year-old plays a role in two schemes being discussed in the trial. The former assistant House majority leader served a six-month prison sentence for tax evasion in 2022. Prosecutors say they will likely call Acevedo to the stand next Monday.
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LaSalle County Court Appointed Special Advocates invites community members to step forward and make a life-changing difference in the lives of children. Registration is open until the end of December for the Winter 2025 CASA Advocate Training Series, which begins in January. The blended-flex program combines self-paced online study with weekly group training sessions, offered both virtually and in-person. The online module opens on January 6th with training sessions starting on January 13th and continuing until a swearing-in ceremony on February 19th. The in-person training sessions will be held at the Fox River Center in downtown Ottawa. CASA volunteers advocate for a child in foster care, helping ensure their voice is heard in court and that they have the support they need to thrive. No prior experience is necessary. More information is online at lasalle-county-casa-dot-org.
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Governor Pritzker is open to meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming border czar to discuss his mass deportation plan. However, the governor doesn’t believe Tom Homan has the legal authority to carry out the plan. At a news conference Wednesday, Pritzker added that he is concerned that the Trump administration won’t follow Illinois laws that protect undocumented immigrants. Pritzker’s comments come after Homan proclaimed earlier this week that his deportation plan will begin in Chicago after Trump is inaugurated on January 20th.
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Governor JB Pritzker is launching an effort to promote more housing for working families in Illinois. Pritzker signed an executive order launching a statewide effort enlisting multiple state agencies to explore how Illinois can accelerate plans to expand the supply and access to housing. The governor also announced the return of a program that provides direct monetary assistance to pay off student loan debt for those buying a home in Illinois.
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An Illinois man accused of “violently” shaking the hand of U.S. Representative Nancy Mace is pleading not guilty. James McIntyre was arrested following the incident Tuesday night at the Rayburn House Office Building and charged with assaulting a government official. McIntyre is an advocate for transgender rights and the co-founder of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America. The head of the foster-care advocacy group disputed the allegations, claiming McIntyre and Mace merely shook hands.
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No charges will be filed in a deadly officer-involved shooting this past summer in Peoria justified. An independent investigation conducted by the Illinois State Police and the Peoria County State’s Attorney into the July 21st incident concluded the officer’s actions that resulted in the death of Donald Wilson the third were justified. Police say officers were called out to the 18-hundred block of West Sherman Avenue on a report of a violent male. When they arrived, officers identified Wilson, who had a warrant. Wilson fled into the garage, started a fire, armed himself with a digging shovel, and began swinging it at the officers. One officer opened fire, hitting Wilson, who died from his injuries.
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Normal Police are looking for a man who stole more than 400 dollars worth of LEGOs. The man took three Star Wars Lego sets from a local department store recently. The suspect is described as a white male with glasses wearing a black hat and tan jacket. Anyone with information is asked to call Normal Police.
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LaSalle County Deputies responded to a single-vehicle, no-injury accident on East 1553rd Road near North 42nd Road in Earl Township. The incident involved 38-year-old Amanda Farley of Earlville, who was driving northwest when her attention was diverted by her cell phone as she approached a curve. Farley’s vehicle veered off the roadway and entered the east ditch, causing significant damage. Farley was cited for several violations, including failure to remain on scene following a vehicle damage accident, failure to report the accident, failure to reduce speed, improper lane usage, unlawful use of an electronic communication device, illegal transportation of alcohol, and expired registration. She was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A homeless Ottawa man was arrested Wednesday by Ottawa Police in the 1500 block of Columbus Street. 36-year-old Matthew Shick was wanted on an outstanding warrant out of Kendall County on violations of an order of protection and pre-trial release.
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Illinois Valley Community College will close for winter break after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, with both the Main Campus and Ottawa Center shut down from December 20 through January 1. Campus services resume on January 2, and classes begin on January 9, though the campus will open at noon on January 8 due to a morning closure.
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The La Salle/Putnam Educational Alliance for Special Education (L.E.A.S.E.) invites individuals with disabilities and their families to a festive evening of sleigh rides, photos with Santa, holiday activities, cookies, and hot cocoa. This free event occurs today, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 1009 Boyce Memorial Drive, Ottawa.
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WEATHER:
Today
A slight chance of snow between 3 pm and 4 pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 16. Wind chill values as low as -10. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 7. Wind chill values as low as -1. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
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. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today, 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:
Shepherd Middle School
7th grade lost to Sandwich 17-14. Leading the way for Shepherd: Jackson Mayszak with 7 points, Kentley Smith with 3 points, Keagan Robertson and Joey Husted had 2 points each. 7th grade is now 3-14.
8th grade defeated Sandwich 43-15. Leading the way for Shepherd: Mason Mucci with 10 points, Joseph Donahue with 7 points, Keandre Miller, Henry Farabaugh, and Marquise Davis all had 6 points. 8th grade is now 11-6.
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Girls basketball
Join us tomorrow night as we bring you our first featured basketball game of the season, as your Ottawa Lady Pirates take on the LP Lady Cavs, live from Kingman Gym with a 7 pm tip-off!
Tonight
Marquette at Midland 5:30 pm
Peotone at Streator 6:45 pm
Seneca at Reonoke at 7 pm
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Boys basketball
Streator 57, Reed-Custer 54: At Braidwood
Leland 62, Hiawatha 51: At Leland
Newark 59, Earlville 52: At Earlville
Serena 71, DePue 32: At DePue
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Boys wrestling
Streator 54, Dwight 11; GCMS 56, Streator 10: At Gibson City
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Girls wrestling
Ottawa notches pair of wins: At Kingman Gym against Kankakee
Streator pair score victories: At Gibson City
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Girls bowling
La Salle-Peru 3,288, Ottawa: At Peru,
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bulls are getting ready for their game against the Charlotte Hornets at United Center tomorrow. The Bulls are coming off a 108-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Chicago is tied for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 10-and-15 record. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Chicago Bears are stealing a player from their arch-rival. The Bears plucked defensive tackle, Jonathan Ford, from the Packers practice squad yesterday. Green Bay picked Ford in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he hasn’t played in a regular season game during his career. Ford and the Bears visit the Vikings on Monday night.
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The Chicago Blackhawks will try to get a winning streak going when they visit the New York Islanders at UBS Arena tonight. The Blackhawks just beat the Rangers 2-1 on the road on Monday. Chicago is tied for last place in the Central Division with 20 points and a 9-17-and-2 record. Tonight’s game starts at 6:30 PM.
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The Chicago White Sox are shipping their ace up to Boston. The club traded left-handed starting pitcher Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox yesterday. The Southsiders received two of Boston’s top-five prospects in catcher Kyle Teel and outfielder Braden Montgomery. Chicago also got minor league infielder Chase Meidroth and minor league pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez. Crochet went 6-and-12 with a 3.58 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 146 innings last season. In other club news, the White Sox selected right-handed pitcher Shane Smith from the Braves in yesterday’s Rule Five Draft.
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The Chicago Cubs are adding to their roster. The team selected infielder Gage Workman from the Tigers organization in the Rule Five Draft yesterday. The 25-year-old spent 126 games at Double-A Erie last season. He hit .280 with 18 home runs, 89 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. Workman must remain on Chicago’s active roster throughout the 2025 season, or else the club has to offer him back to the Tigers.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish got off to a fast start during a 77-65 win over Dartmouth at Purcell Pavilion. The Irish led by 11 at halftime and kept Dartmouth at a distance the rest of the way. Braeden Shrewsberry finished the game with 22 points, while Tae Davis added 20 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-and-5 Irish go up against Le Moyne on December 22nd.