Six individuals are facing serious felony charges for allegedly submitting false claims to obtain government aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, with each potentially facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted. La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro announced the charges, which stem from investigations initiated by the Illinois Department of Revenue that flagged suspicious applications for COVID-19 relief funds. The six defendants, identified as Amber N. Norman, 40, of Streator; Amanda K. Rogers, 33, of Ottawa; Gabriel S. Myart, 36, of Glen Ellyn; Larry A. Chandler, 46, of Sauk Village; James Z. Forbes, 30, of Lacon; and Ebony R. Green, 28, of University Park, are charged with theft, loan fraud, and forgery. Some of these individuals may also face pending charges in other jurisdictions. Navarro emphasized that these cases represent the first findings of an ongoing fraud investigation aimed at exploiting financial support during the pandemic.
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Early yesterday morning, the Streator Fire Department was dispatched to Lowden Road and Stanton for a residential structure fire with a report of 2 people trapped on the second floor. Through rapid response and coordinated efforts, Streator Firefighters performed a ladder rescue removing those two adults from the home but were unable to save the family dogs. The fire was brought under control with the assistance of neighboring agencies. Units remain on scene this afternoon. Streator Firefighters Local 56 extends its sympathies to all affected by this tragedy. A complete press release will be published by the Streator Fire Department soon.
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During Tuesday night’s Ottawa City Council meeting, the commissioners voted to approve a preliminary design services agreement with a Chicago-based architectural firm in hopes of having an initial design for a riverfront amphitheater within a couple of months. In addition, the council approved another design plan agreement with another Chicago planning and design company to begin preparing detailed plans that could be put into place once the physical project starts. Mayor Robb Hasty says the renderings and plans will be based on what recent feasibility studies have shown the community could support in the space along the Illinois River opposite Allen Park.
Also at Tuesday’s Ottawa City Council meeting, Mayor Robb Hasty issued an invitation from Economic and Community Development Director Dave Noble to an event on Friday, January 31st at 10:00 a.m. in council chambers to see a presentation by Darius Bryjka of the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. Ottawa is exploring the creation of a Rivers Edge Recovery Zone which provides, among other things, a state tax credit that can be coupled with a federal tax credit that would provide funding for historical structure renovation.
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The City of La Salle will hold an Economic Development Committee meeting on Thursday, January 9, at 3 p.m. in City Hall, located at 745 Second St., to explore an exciting grant opportunity. Economic Development Director Curt Bedei will be on hand to address inquiries regarding the River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) Program, which aims to revitalize environmentally challenged properties near rivers in Illinois. Bedei is seeking approval to proceed with the RERZ grant application. Additionally, the committee will review the Illinois Finance Authority’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, which allows counties and municipalities to efficiently fund PACE Projects without depleting their resources.
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Teachers at Streator Elementary Public School are preparing to hold a strike vote on Monday at 4:00 PM at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, exclusively for members of the Streator Education Association. In a letter to union members, the teachers’ bargaining team expressed that calling for this vote was a difficult yet necessary decision. They highlighted a prior agreement from September that required all future meetings to be conducted in person. However, during the most recent meeting in December, only the union’s bargaining team attended, waiting over three hours for the board of education’s representatives, which they believe has delayed the negotiation process. As a result, the federal mediator has suspended further meetings until the board participates in person.
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Seneca’s Mayor Jeff Olson is following up with some more information from the recent city council meeting regarding the development on the southwest side of Seneca. Contact has been made with Constellation to inquire about their plans; however, they are currently unwilling to meet or share any details. Constellation has indicated that a public meeting will be held sometime this spring. A request for additional information has been made, and any updates received will be communicated to the public.
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In 2024, the Spring Valley Fire Department achieved a record-breaking number of service calls, totaling 506. This included 219 incidents related to fire and 287 EMS other emergencies. This year also marked the first full year that the Spring Valley Fire Department operated as licensed Emergency Medical Responders. Furthermore, an important change is on the way for the department. Following a referendum vote in November, Spring Valley will be served by a Fire Protection District, which is anticipated to provide an increase in revenue for the firefighters in the area.
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Illinois Valley Community College campuses will be closed today, January 8th, to allow employees to participate in professional development sessions. Student support services and offices at the Oglesby and Ottawa Center campuses will open at noon. Spring semester classes begin on Thursday, January 9th.
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Nicor Gas is seeking a 309-million-dollar rate hike. If approved, consumer advocates say it would be a state-record rate increase. Illinois’ largest gas utility asked for a hike last week. The Illinois Commerce Commission will rule on the request after an 11-month review. Nicor serves much of northern Illinois and parts of western Illinois.
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Michael Madigan is testifying in his racketeering trial. In an unexpected move, the former Illinois House Speaker took the witness stand yesterday for several hours. When asked by his attorney whether he ever traded his public office for private gain, the Chicago Democrat said “No.” Madigan gave the same answer after he was asked if he ever demanded or accepted anything of value in exchange for a promise to take official action. Madigan will resume his testimony today.
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Chicago experts are urging caution as bird flu spreads, posing serious risks to pets and wildlife. Cats are especially vulnerable, with up to a 100% fatality rate, prompting advice to keep them indoors and avoid raw food diets. The Lincoln Park Zoo is monitoring for outbreaks, and residents are encouraged to remove bird feeders to reduce transmission. The bird flu is being blamed as the likely cause for a bald eagle being euthanized in DuPage County. The Chicago Bird Collision Monitors say a bald eagle was rescued last Friday at Butler Cemetery in Oakbrook. The DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center determined that the eagle was demonstrating strong signs of avian flu and chose to euthanize it.
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Respiratory illnesses are up in Illinois. Officials say the state’s overall respiratory illness level has ticked up from Moderate to High and the increase is driven by an expected early winter jump in hospital admissions. As a result, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a health alert to hospitals and healthcare facilities recommending that they take note of local conditions and consider taking steps to prevent the circulation of seasonal illnesses, including visitor restrictions and masking.
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Governor Pritzker is attacking Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over a lack of communication during his administration. The governor said Johnson “doesn’t have good relationships” in Springfield. Pritzker added that Johnson has called him only five times since he’s been mayor. The comments follow disagreements over a proposed bill that would have regulated hemp products in Illinois. The governor has strongly supported the measure, which appears unlikely to advance due to pushback from several groups and lawmakers, including Johnson’s administration.
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Illinois lawmakers are sending a bill to Governor Pritzker’s desk that would take guns out of the hands of accused domestic abusers. The state House passed Karina’s Bill yesterday. The measure would require law enforcement to confiscate guns within 96 hours from people who have an order of protection granted against them. The law is named after Karina Gonzalez, a mother from Chicago. Her husband is charged with shooting and killing her and her 15-year-old daughter in 2023. At that time, Gonzalez had an order or protection in place against her husband.
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Authorities are investigating after a vehicle crashed into a McDonald’s in suburban Joliet. Police say the incident happened yesterday when a Nissan Versa driven by Esther Baker-Williams collided with the rear of a GMC Acadia on West Jefferson Street. The collision caused the Nissan to lose control and crash into the fast food restaurant. A man in the dining room suffered a minor injury, while Baker-Williams was sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. She reportedly suffered a possible medical event before the crash.
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Discounted tickets for Chicago Theatre Week are now available, offering access to more than 100 shows from Feb. 6 to 16, with prices ranging from $15 to $30. Featured productions include A Raisin in the Sun and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. Tickets can be purchased at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com. Last year’s event sold over 18-thousand tickets, highlighting Chicago’s vibrant theater scene.
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Jose Rosas-Nava, a 22-year-old, failed to appear at a final pretrial court hearing on Friday, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. He is facing two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm. Rosas-Nava was arrested after a fight broke out in downtown Oglesby in September, during which he allegedly fired two shots that did not hit anyone.
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 24. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 11. West wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Daniel Owen Jones, 83, of Tonica, passed away on January 3rd. A private memorial service will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home.
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James F. Wilcox Jr., 86, of Utica, passed away Tuesday, December 31st, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. A service with military honors will take place at the graveside in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Francis “Barney” Sesto, 90, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, January 5th, at Pleasant View. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. and the Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 9th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Interment will follow at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Kathleen Elizabeth Schulz, age 73, of Ottawa, born in Springfield, Oregon, passed away on Thursday, January 2nd, A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9th, from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at noon at the funeral home. Private burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Donald L. Billings, 92, of Wedron, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5th, at OSF St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota. A memorial visitation will take place on Friday, January 10th, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Military Honors will be rendered by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 at 3:00 pm at the funeral home.
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Lorraine (Sellers) Angell, 82, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, January 4th, at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 10th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys basketball
Mendota 61, Ottawa 48: At Kingman Gym
Marmion 70, Marquette 43: At Bader Gym
Woodland 66, Leland 49: At the Warrior Dome in rural Streator
Seneca 48, Herscher 34: At Seneca
Earlville 59, Hiawatha 37: At Earlville
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Girls basketball
Peotone 38, Streator 24: At Streator
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Boys bowling
Ottawa 3,010, St. Bede 2,767: At IV Super Bowl in Peru
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Girls bowling
Ottawa Lady Pirates Bowling defeated Sycamore on Monday. The top bowlers were Ana Zeglis and Quinn Wilkinson.
Streator 2,562, Peotone 1,781: At the Streator Elks Club
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PRO SPORTS:
The Cowboys aren’t allowing the Bears to interview their head coach. ESPN reports that Dallas has denied permission to Chicago to interview Mike McCarthy for their vacant head coaching position. McCarthy’s contract is set to expire today, but the Cowboys hold exclusive negotiating rights through January 14th.
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The Chicago Blackhawks look to get back in the win column when they host the Colorado Avalanche at United Center this evening. The Blackhawks just lost to the Rangers 6-2 on Sunday. Chicago has dropped six of its last seven games, and they’re in last place in the Central Division with 28 points and a 13-25-and-2 record. Tonight’s game starts at 6:30 PM.
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The Chicago Bulls go for their third win in a row when they visit the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge FieldHouse tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 114-110 win over the San Antonio Spurs at home on Monday. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference with a 17-and-19 record. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM.
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The Chicago White Sox are bringing in a once highly-touted prospect. The team signed infielder Bobby Dalbec to a minor league contract yesterday. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training next month. Dalbec was a top-100 prospect as late as 2021, but he’s struggled to hit at the Major League level. In five seasons with the Red Sox, he hit just .222 with 47 home runs and 142 RBI in 331 games.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
FOOTBALL:
A member of the Notre Dame backfield is on track to play in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Irish offensive coordinator Mike Debrock said running back Jeremiyah Love has been able to practice this week after tweaking a knee injury in the quarterfinal against Georgia. Love originally injured his right knee in the regular season finale against USC. He leads the Fighting Irish with 1,076 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns this season. The Orange Bowl kicks off tomorrow night when number-five Notre Dame takes on number-four Penn State.
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BASKETBALL:
The number-15 Illinois Fighting Illini will try to extend their winning streak to five games when they host Penn State at State Farm Center tonight. The Illini just beat Washington 81-77 on Sunday. Illinois is 11-and-3 overall and 3-and-1 in Big Ten play this season. Tonight’s game tips off at 8:00 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish aim to avoid a third straight loss when they visit NC State at PNC Arena tonight. The Irish were edged by North Carolina 74-73 at home on Saturday. Notre Dame is 1-and-2 in ACC play and 7-and-7 overall. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM Central time.
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The Northwestern Wildcats are enjoying another off-day. They don’t play again until this Sunday when they host number 14 Michigan State. Last night, UIC beat Missouri State 80-63, and Northern Illinois lost to Kent State 68-50. Tonight, Illinois State is at Evansville, Valparaiso hosts Indiana State, Bradley welcomes Drake, Loyola visits La Salle, and DePaul travels to Seton Hall.
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LOCAL:
Bryant and Stratton 109, IVCC 52: The Eagles lost a nonconference game in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.