Firefighters responded to a kitchen fire late Friday morning in an apartment above Ottawa Community Thrift. The Ottawa Fire Department quickly contained the minor incident and cleared the scene within 20 minutes. An hour later, crews were called to a more significant house fire on East 1569th Road, where heavy smoke poured from the roof. Fortunately, everyone inside the house escaped safely. Additional fire departments were brought in to assist. We are waiting on a full press release from the Ottawa Fire Department.
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A Grand Ridge chimney fire yesterday evening in the 2000 block of East 23rd Road spread to the whole home being engulfed in flames. Due to the size of the fire, it prompted the closure of County Highway 6. All residents were able to escape the home. Fire departments from Grand Ridge, Wallace, Tonica, Seneca, Reading, Naplate, and Ottawa battled the blaze, with additional crews called for support. We are waiting for a full press release from the incident.
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Mayor Jim Hollenbeck has released some information regarding the future of the Timber Edge subdivision in Marseilles is still unclear as Constellation Energy moves forward with property acquisitions in the area without sharing specific plans. The company suggests in a statement to both Mayors that it may leverage its carbon-free electricity generation to attract significant businesses, but no definitive projects have been unveiled yet. Local officials, including Marseilles Mayor Jim Hollenbeck and Seneca Mayor Jeff Olson, have recognized the increasing concerns among residents and are pondering the potential impacts on the region. Constellation has mentioned that a public announcement might be made by spring, leaving both communities to navigate speculation and await more information about the possible developments ahead.
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IVCC’s spring semester was off to a good start Thursday as classes got underway. IVCC President Dr. Tracy Morris and staff volunteers welcomed students, helped navigate them around the Oglesby campus, and answered their questions. Enrollment — both headcount and credit hours — is rising.
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A cybersecurity breach of PowerSchool’s information system has compromised data for roughly 16 thousand students and three thousand staff in Wilmette Public Schools District 39. The breach occurred between Dec. 19-24, exposing names, addresses, and contact details but not including Social Security or driver’s license numbers. PowerSchool believes the stolen data has been deleted and is offering credit monitoring for affected individuals. Rockford Public Schools has confirmed that they have suffered from the data breach as well, with no total affected amounts given. PowerSchool is used in several local area schools, including LaSalle-Peru Township High School. At of the time of this story, they have not released any information regarding whether they were affected by the breach.
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Carle Health is updating its mask and visitor guidelines at all of its facilities. The healthcare provider announced that all patients and visitors experiencing respiratory illness symptoms are urged to wear a mask while at care facilities. Also, visitors to any Carle hospital must be 18 years or older and are limited to two at a time in a patient room. Carle Health cited an increase in respiratory illnesses as a result of the change.
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Chicago hospitals are overwhelmed by rising cases of norovirus, RSV, flu, and COVID-19. Advocate Lutheran General Hospital briefly stopped accepting ambulances due to overcrowding, and Franciscan Health imposed visitor restrictions. Officials urge using primary care for non-emergencies and stress soap and water hygiene for norovirus prevention. Norovirus cases may peak soon, but other respiratory illnesses could persist into April.
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Six people face charges following a State Police operation last week to combat human trafficking in the Bloomington area of McLean County. The operation took place last Wednesday and Thursday. It was a multifaceted approach aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts, labor, or services against their will.
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Illinois will be participating in the IRS Direct File service beginning January 27th. Direct File allows residents to electronically prepare and file their 2024 federal tax returns for free. Nearly two million Illinois taxpayers are eligible to use the program. After filing federal taxes, the program also connects taxpayers to Illinois’ free state income tax filing system, MyTax Illinois, where they can file and complete their Illinois state returns.
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A Belvidere police officer is charged with sexual assault. Illinois State Police were requested last March by the Belvidere Police Department to investigate a report of a criminal sexual assault involving off-duty Officer Robert Kozlowski. During the probe, Kozlowski was placed on administrative leave. Kozlowski was indicted last week by a Boone County Grand Jury on charges of Criminal Sexual Assault and Criminal Sexual Abuse. He turned himself in on Friday.
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Michael Madigan is expected to be back on the stand today in his racketeering trial. The former Illinois House Speaker will likely be cross-examined by prosecutors. During his two days of testimony last week, the Chicago Democrat denied that he demanded or accepted anything of value in exchange for a promise to take official action. The trial is expected to stretch into the end of the month.
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Illinois is receiving 114 million dollars in federal grant funding to support new electric vehicle charging stations across the state. That includes the Chicago area, Springfield, Metro East, and Quad Cities. The federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation will be used to build 14 truck charging hubs. Governor Pritzker also announced that 39 million dollars in state funding for more than 14 hundred charging stations at 242 locations in Illinois.
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An investigation is underway after skeletal remains were found behind a campground in Clinton, Illinois on Christmas Eve. The DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office says the discovery was made on December 24th in a wooded area behind Arrowhead Acres campground. Investigators are trying to identify the remains and the cause of death.
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The Chicago City Council will vote Wednesday on a proposal to reduce protections for undocumented immigrants, allowing police to assist federal agents in specific cases. Mayor Brandon Johnson opposes the measure, warning it threatens constitutional rights and public trust. Chicago has maintained its sanctuary city status for over 38 years, despite previous legal challenges and political pressures.
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The new reversible express lanes on the Kennedy Expressway are reopening today. The reversible lanes were closed last March for construction. The new lanes feature several reversible gates over a seven-and-a-half-mile stretch of roadway. The express lanes were originally set to reopen last month, but the opening was delayed.
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A man is charged with stealing shoes at gunpoint last year in Peoria. Tobias Taylor is charged with Aggravated Robbery. Prosecutors say the incident happened October 26th when the victim arranged a sale of some shoes he had listed on Facebook Marketplace. At the scheduled meet-up, the victim was met by two males. One demanded the victim hand over the shoes, or else his friend would shoot him. The second male then brandished a handgun. The victim handed over the shoes, and the suspects fled. An investigation is ongoing.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop around 5:30 Wednesday morning in the area of Illinois 18 & East 13th Road in Eagle Township. 36-year-old Zane Skeen \ of Streator was cited for an uninsured motor vehicle.
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Wednesday afternoon about 4:00, 25-year-old Debriana Dawson of Streator was stopped by LaSalle County Deputies at 609 Everett Street in Streator. Dawson was arrested for driving while their Driver’s License was suspended and cited for operation of a motor vehicle when registration was suspended, and uninsured motor vehicle. She was transported to La Salle County Jail and later released with a notice to appear in court.
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18-year-old Michael T. Owens, Junior of Ottawa is charged with domestic battery after Ottawa Police investigated an incident Sunday at 100 East Prospect Avenue.
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67-year-old Mary K. Wheatley of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Saturday at 1120 Canal Street on an outstanding LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court.
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Friday shortly after 1:00 a.m., LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of West 4th Street and North Bloomington Streets in Streator. 21-year-old Timothy Cosby of Streator was arrested for possession of a controlled substance. He was transported to LaSalle County Jail and later released with a notice to appear in court.
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A 34-year-old Crest Hill man faces several charges from Ottawa Police Friday. Daniel J. Pierce was arrested at East McKinley Road and First Avenue on charges of leaving the scene of an accident, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving on a revoked license, and two counts of driving under the influence.
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53-year-old Daniel Winge of Ottawa was arrested Friday by Ottawa Police at 1120 Canal Street on a failure to appear warrant.
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WEATHER:
Hazardous Weather Outlook:
Wind chills of 0 to 10 below zero are expected this morning and late
tonight into Tuesday morning.
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Today
Sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -8. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Wind chill values as low as -2. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Sheila L. Skartveit, 81, of Ottawa, passed away on January 6th. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Juanita Marie (Ruiz) Muffler, passed away peacefully on January 10th, in Ottawa, surrounded by her loving family after a prolonged battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. A Celebration of Life will be held on a future date in the Spring, as yet to be determined. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Philip Martin Wasilewski, 77, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, January 9th, at his home with his loving family by his side. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 14th, from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 am on Tuesday, at St. Patrick’s Church. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us for a great week of Girls Varsity basketball coverage!
1/13 – Marquette vs St. Bede – Girls – 7 pm – PBP – Hunter O’Dell
1/14 – Ottawa vs Rochelle – Girls – 7 pm – PBP – Hunter O’Dell
1/16 – Marquette @ Seneca – Girls – 7 pm – PBP – Andrew Evola
1/18 – Ottawa vs Morris – Girls – 2:30 pm – PBP – Andrew Evola
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GIRLS BASKETBALL
Hall 45, Serena 41:
Earlville 38, Streator 29:
Galesburg 49, La Salle-Peru 14:
Seneca 49, Dwight 40:
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Boys basketball
Monticello 62, Seneca 56:
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Girls bowling
Streator places 14th at Plainfield South Invite: At Joliet Town and Country Lanes
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Marquette Academy’s Alec Novotney and Coach Todd Hopkins were honored at the Marquette Hall of Fame Dinner for their achievements. Novotney received the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association’s 2024 Class 1A Player of the Year award after leading the Crusaders to a 31-2 record and a Class 1A State Championship. As a pitcher, he posted a perfect 10-0 record with 100 strikeouts and a 0.91 ERA, while also batting .371 as a shortstop. Coach Hopkins was named the 2024 Class 1A Coach of the Year, adding to his impressive 650-183 record over 26 seasons, which includes two state titles.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bulls went quiet in the closing minutes of a 124-119 loss to the Sacramento Kings at United Center. The Bulls got within one with two-and-a-half minutes to play, but they didn’t score for the rest of the game. Zach LaVine scored 36 points and grabbed ten rebounds in the losing effort. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference with an 18-and-21 record. The Bulls host the Pelicans tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Blackhawks blew a two-goal lead during a 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at United Center on Saturday. The Hawks led 3-1 late in the second period before giving up three straight goals. Teuvo Teravainen, Nick Foligno, and Ryan Donato all scored in the losing effort. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 30 points and a 14-27-and-2 record. The Blackhawks host the Flames tonight.
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The Chicago Bears are doing their due diligence in the search for their next head coach. Over the weekend, the Bears interviewed three candidates for the position. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn both interviewed with the team on Saturday, while former Panthers and Commanders head coach Ron Rivera met with the Bears yesterday. The Bears are trying to replace Matt Eberflus, who was terminated by the team after a Thanksgiving loss to the Lions.
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The Chicago Cubs are bolstering their pitching staff. The team signed right-hander Colin Rea to a one-year deal worth five million dollars on Friday. The deal includes a six-million-dollar club option for the 2026 season. Rea made 27 starts in 32 appearances with the Brewers last season. He went 12-and-6 with a 4.29 ERA in 167-and-two-thirds innings.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The number-15 Illinois Fighting Illini had their five-game winning streak snapped with an 82-72 loss to USC at State Farm Center on Saturday. The Illini led by three at halftime before getting outscored 47-34 the rest of the way. Ben Humrichous led Illinois with 15 points in the losing effort. The Illini dropped to 4-and-2 in Big Ten play and 12-and-4 overall. They visit Indiana tomorrow night.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are on a four-game losing streak following an 86-78 loss to number-four Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday. Notre Dame trailed by eight at halftime and had to play catch-up throughout the second half. Markus Burton poured in 23 points during the losing effort. The Fighting Irish fell to 7-and-9 overall and 1-and-4 in the ACC. Notre Dame hosts Boston College tonight.
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The Northwestern Wildcats got off to a slow start during a 78-68 loss to number-14 Michigan State at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats trailed by 19 at halftime and weren’t able to get back into the game. Nick Martinelli had 27 points in the losing effort. Northwestern is 1-and-4 in Big Ten play and 10-and-6 overall. The Wildcats host Maryland on Thursday.
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In college hoops action on Saturday, DePaul lost to Xavier 77-63, Bradley snuck past UIC 61-60, Loyola was crushed by Saint Joseph’s 93-57, Valparaiso fell to Murray State 58-47, Northern Illinois was defeated by Ohio 108-70, Illinois State was edged by Northern Iowa 85-84, and Chicago State went down against Stonehill 68-52.
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MEN’S BASKETBALL
South Suburban 85, IVCC 73: The Eagles lost a region game in South Holland to fall to 7-12.