A record number of travelers are expected to be hitting the road and the airways to start the holiday week. Today is expected to be the busiest day of travel at Chicago O’Hare. Tomorrow is likely to be a little busier at Midway. As for drivers, Triple-A says the worst time to hit the road ahead of Christmas is today between 3 and 8 p.m. The Illinois State Police, local law enforcement, and the Illinois Department of Transportation are warning drivers to play it safe this holiday season. IDOT and ISP are partnering for their annual holiday road safety campaign. There will be extra patrols looking for impaired or otherwise reckless drivers this week into the New Year. A dozen people died in crashes during Christmas last year.
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For over 35 years, Ottawa Sunrise Rotary has collected more than 19,000 toys and 10,000 books for the Ottawa Salvation Army. In our 35th drive this year, we gathered 1,733 toys and 2,655 books, which were distributed to over 180 families and nearly 500 children. Additionally, we presented a check for $740 to help the Salvation Army fill gaps in age and gender-specific toy needs. What began as a simple toy and book float during the 1989 Christmas parade has evolved into a robust community initiative.
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The City of Marseilles is urging residents to remain vigilant regarding water testing practices, clarifying that no employees or city officials have been authorized to deploy water testing systems to households. This announcement reinforces the city’s commitment to ensuring public health and safety. According to city officials, all legitimate water testing is conducted exclusively by certified operators from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The city emphasizes that any testing equipment used must receive EPA approval to ensure accuracy and reliability. Residents are cautioned to disregard any requests for water testing using unauthorized methods, as results obtained through such means would be considered inaccurate and irrelevant. For further details on the city’s water testing procedures and to access official resources, residents are encouraged to visit the city’s website.
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Illinois’ public school leaders say they need two billion dollars next year, they may get a quarter of that. The Illinois State Board of Education is asking for two billion dollars more in the next state budget. ISBER says the money is needed to cover everything from the cost of school lunches to more money for special education. But Governor Pritzker’s office says the state’s public schools will likely get just 447 million more. The governor’s office says Illinois is looking at other budget needs, including an extra billion dollars for healthcare in the state.
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28-year-old Tony Sander was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty in LaSalle County Circuit Court to felony charges of being a felon in possession of a weapon and aggravated assault. A series of incidents with La Salle police began on September 7th when officers responded to reports of a man on a bicycle wielding a large butcher knife and threatening passersby. Upon their arrival, Sander allegedly fled on his bike and then on foot, evading capture while leaving the knife behind. Weeks later, officers were called to Crosat Street regarding another man with a knife, where they encountered Sander again. As he approached an officer while brandishing the knife, a taser was deployed as a warning, prompting Sander to drop the weapon. Court records indicate that Sander was homeless at the time of the incidents.
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Keith Gullens, a 34-year-old Streator man accused of leading a drug and theft ring across six counties, will stand trial in LaSalle County on March 17th on multiple felony charges, including calculated criminal drug conspiracy, a Class X felony carrying a sentence of 6 to 30 years. Prosecutors linked Gullens to the organized theft of guns—later sold on the black market—and goods from Peru and Ottawa retail stores, as well as narcotics trafficking involving over 200 grams of cocaine. Authorities say raids and controlled buys uncovered eight firearms and stolen goods valued at more than $50,000. Gullens, currently held on a federal parole violation, waived a detention hearing and will remain in custody as he awaits his trial, which follows a motions hearing in March.
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On December 6th, 35-year-old Dominique Davis, a Rockford resident originally from Peru, allegedly assaulted a cashier at a Walgreens, striking her in the face and stealing cash before fleeing the scene. He was apprehended later that day at a hotel and is now being held at the Winnebago County Jail, with a court hearing scheduled for January 16th. Earlier this year, Davis faced multiple charges, including battery, theft, and disorderly conduct, in connection with a brawl at the Veterans Memorial Pool in La Salle. Additionally, he was arrested in Peru last month for aggravated battery in a separate incident, with both cases still pending.
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Friday morning, LaSalle County deputies found a vehicle parked on the roadway at the intersection of North 2653rd and East 2219th Roads in Fall River Township. The driver, 47-year-old Jeremy Elam of Ottawa, was cited for defective brake lights, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving with an expired driver’s license, and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Additionally, Elam was arrested on a LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear on a driving while license suspended charge. He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail with a bond set at $5,000.
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LaSalle County Deputies investigated a single-vehicle accident with no injuries Friday morning shortly after 6:00 o’clock in Otter Creek Township at the intersection of North 13th & East 24th Roads. 26-year-old Janell Depaz of Ransom was driving south on East 24th when her vehicle slid through the intersection on snow-covered pavement. Her vehicle entered the south ditch causing damage to the front end of her vehicle.
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LaSalle County Deputies investigated a two-vehicle accident with no injuries Friday morning around 7:30 in Serena Township at the intersection of U.S. 52 & East 2282nd Road. 39-year-old Jennifer Menz of Serena was driving south on East 2282nd when her vehicle slid through the intersection on the snow-covered pavement and struck a vehicle traveling west on 52. 39-year-old Kyle Wagner of Sheridan had damage to the front right corner of his vehicle.
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Friday night, authorities in Chicago attempted to intercept a stolen Jeep after spotting it at the intersection of I-94 and 83rd Street around 11 PM. Although the vehicle fled at high speed, the Illinois State Police opted for an aerial pursuit rather than a high-speed chase. The Jeep was tracked to First and Buck Streets in La Salle, where two occupants jumped out and fled on foot. Utilizing a drone operated by La Salle police, officers swiftly located and apprehended them. While the specific charges have yet to be disclosed, the stolen vehicle was successfully recovered, and the suspects were taken into custody.
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A semi-truck crash on I-55 Sunday morning left chicken broth and disinfectant wipes scattered across a bridge and train tracks below. The truck fell off an overpass north of Route 30, landing on the tracks and rolling over. The driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, while another driver involved declined treatment. I-55 and train traffic were temporarily halted for cleanup, with firefighters also containing a minor diesel spill.
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31-year-old Candice C. Collins of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Sunday at East Norris Drive and Columbus Street on an outstanding LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court.
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An Ottawa man is charged with domestic battery. Ottawa Police arrested 64-year-old Tracy Tipton at 407 Catherine Street Saturday.
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39-year-old Perry Adams of Ottawa is cited for driving on a suspended license after an Ottawa Police traffic stop Saturday in the 400 block of East Norris Drive.
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25-year-old Ashton Harty of Ottawa has two charges from Ottawa Police for driving under the influence. Harty was stopped Sunday at Clay and Main Streets.
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WEATHER:
Monday
A slight chance of drizzle or freezing rain before 9 am, then a slight chance of drizzle between 9 am and noon. Cloudy, with a high near 42. South wind 5 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 30. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
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OBITUARIES:
Thomas “Tom” Davidson, age 72, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, December 21st. Visitation for Tom will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, December 27th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home followed by a service at 7:00 p.m. Following cremation, Tom will be entombed at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Grant Adam Youngstrum, 44, passed away on Wednesday, December 18th, at his home. Visitation will be at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa from 9:00 to 11:00 on Saturday, December 28th. A funeral service will follow at 11:00. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Ruth Ann Schott, 73, of Ottawa, IL, passed away December 19th, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. The funeral service will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home on December 30th, at 1 pm. Visitation will be prior from 12-1 pm. A private burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls basketball
Ottawa 51, Princeton 22:
Joliet Catholic 48, Streator 23:
Serena 45, Putnam County 27: At Granville
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Boys basketball
East Peoria 50, Streator 42: At Pops Dale Gym
Peoria Christian 67, Seneca 36: At the Eureka College Shootout
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Girls wrestling
Streator’s Yacko and Vaughn claim 1st at Metamora Invitational.
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Boys wrestling
Ottawa’s Weatherford 2nd at Metamora Invitational
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PRO SPORTS:
The Bears are on a nine-game losing streak following a 34-17 loss to the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Bears gave up 27 points in the first half and weren’t able to get the ball moving on offense after halftime. Caleb Williams had a strong game with 334 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, and Keenan Allen hauled in nine catches for 141 yards and a score. The Bears remain in last place in the NFC North at 4-and-11. They host the Seahawks on Thursday.
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The Bulls trailed throughout the second half during a 123-98 loss to the Boston Celtics at United Center on Saturday. The Bulls were down by as many as 29 points in the fourth quarter. Nikola Vucevic led Chicago with 19 points and ten rebounds. The Bulls dropped to 13-and-6. They host the Bucks tonight.
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The Blackhawks got off to a slow start during a 6-4 loss to the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday. The Hawks trailed 5-1 after the second period. Tyler Bertuzzi scored two goals in the third period, and Ilya Mikheyev lit the lamp to make it a one-goal game. However, Calgary added an empty-netter to seal the game. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 26 points and a 12-20-and-2 record. They visit the Wild tonight.
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The Chicago Cubs are adding some depth to their backstop. The clubs signed catcher Carlos Perez to a minor league deal over the weekend. The contract includes an invitation to Spring Training in February. Perez hasn’t played in the Majors since 2023 when he hit .226 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 66 games with the A’s.
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The Chicago White Sox are getting a boost in their bullpen. The team traded for Red Sox reliever Cam Booser on Saturday. The Southsiders sent minor league pitcher Yhoiker Fajardo back to Boston to complete the deal. Booser went 2-and-3 with one save and a 3,38 ERA in 43 appearances during his rookie season with Boston last year.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl kicks off at 1:30 this afternoon, local time. The Northern Illinois Huskies will take on the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Huskies are coming into today’s matchup having won three of their last four regular season games. Northern Illinois is favored by three-and-a-half in the game.
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Number-five Notre Dame held off a late comeback to take down number-eight Indiana 27-17 in the inaugural game of the 12-team College Football Playoff on Friday. Running back Jeremiyah Love finished with eight carries for 108 yards and a 98-yard touchdown run. His score was the longest rush in College Football Playoff history. Quarterback Riley Leonard was 23-for-32 with 201 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also had 30 rushing yards and a TD. Notre Dame has won 11 straight games and is 12-and-1 on the season. The Fighting Irish will play in the quarterfinals against number-two Georgia on New Year’s Day.
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In college hoops action tonight, Loyola goes up against the College of Charleston.