Multiple agencies are responding to a house fire in the 700 block of Oakley Street in Marseilles, where a person was reportedly trapped in the basement. The fire was first reported around 5:20 a.m.
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Fire departments from Sheridan, Serena, and Newark responded early Wednesday morning to a rekindled fire at Harper’s Towing, which had been the site of a tragic blaze the previous afternoon. Fortunately, the rekindling around 7:30 AM was contained quickly, allowing firefighters to leave the scene within approximately 10 minutes. The original fire, which erupted shortly before 1 PM on Tuesday, required the assistance of multiple departments as Newark firefighters battled the flames at the towing facility located along Route 52, just east of Route 71 in rural Sheridan. Sadly, La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch confirmed that a 78-year-old man residing on the property was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy is scheduled for today, while the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fatal incident.
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Police in Streator were called to Bulldog’s Restaurant on North Bloomington Street on Tuesday morning. They arrested 46-year-old Derek Hornick, a Streator resident, for multiple charges: unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, disorderly conduct, aggravated resisting a peace officer, criminal damage to property, and violating his pretrial release agreement. Hornick was taken to La Salle County Jail. At the time of his arrest on Tuesday, Hornick was already facing other felony charges, including dealing cocaine and escaping from a La Salle County deputy’s squad car while crossing the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Ottawa. He was located shortly after in an alley in downtown Ottawa.
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K9 Bear of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois is set to receive a specially donated bullet and stab protective vest from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., with delivery anticipated within ten weeks. The vest, which will feature the heartfelt inscription “Honoring those who served and sacrificed,” is part of Vested Interest in K9s’ mission to equip law enforcement dogs with lifesaving body armor. Since its establishment in 2009, this 501(c)(3) charity has supplied over 5,882 custom-fitted, NIJ-certified vests, valued at $6.9 million, to K9s across all 50 states, thanks to generous contributions from both private and corporate donors.
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The Illinois State Fire Marshall has been able to save Illinois resident’s lives thanks to Be Alarmed! Since 2018, the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program has distributed 40,000 smoke alarms to fire departments across Illinois. In 2024 alone, 8,677 smoke alarms were installed in homes throughout the state. Currently, 320 active fire departments in 61 counties are participating in the program. To learn more about obtaining free smoke detectors for your home, you can contact or stop by your local fire department.
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La Salle’s signature event, the Celebration of Lights, attracted an impressive 21,409 vehicles and raised $143,726 in donations for 2024. The stunning display of lights graced Rotary Park from November 11th through January 1st. Finance Director John Duncan explained that these donations support the La Salle Promotional Advisory Committee, which funds not only the Celebration of Lights but also other community events like Miracle on First Street and Hometown Halloween.
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State Senator Sue Rezin, a Republican representing the Morris area, has officially received her committee assignments for the 104th General Assembly. With over a decade of legislative experience under her belt, Rezin will take on significant roles in the Senate committees for Energy and Public Utilities, Executive, and Human Rights. Rezin, who has been a steadfast advocate for her constituents since her election in 2010, will also continue her leadership as the Deputy Minority Leader for the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus. In her new capacity, Rezin aims to champion initiatives focused on strengthening local communities, fostering economic growth, and promoting a more accountable government. She emphasized her commitment to advancing policies that serve the best interests of Illinois residents and enhance their quality of life.
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Jury deliberations are underway in Michael Madigan’s landmark corruption trial. Jurors finally began deliberating yesterday after weeks of testimony and around 27 hours of closing arguments. They will have to consider nearly two dozen counts against the former Illinois House speaker. Co-defendant Michael McClain is charged with six of those counts. Both are accused of conspiring to participate in an array of bribery and extortion schemes.
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Advocate Health Care is closing all 47 of its clinics that operate inside Walgreens stores in Illinois. The clinics will close on February 6. Leaders of the health system say the move allows them to provide virtual services to patients as well as access to urgent care. Advocate also has plans to open care locations at churches and community centers on Chicago’s South Side.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is accused of getting expensive gifts on behalf of the city and then denying internal investigators access to the room where the gifts are stored. Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg says the items including jewelry, AirPods, designer handbags, and alcohol were not reported to the Chicago Board of Ethics and the city comptroller. She adds that the Johnson administration directed investigators to submit a Freedom of Information request and once that was done there was no timely response. The inspector General’s office eventually received the gift log and close to 70 percent of the 380 gifts listed do not identify the gift-giver.
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The Rock Island Police Department will provide an update today on their investigation into a case involving a child who went missing earlier this month. A vehicle was stolen in Rock Island on January 16th with four-year-old Blessing Aoci still in the back seat. Not long after, the stolen vehicle was located unoccupied. The child was eventually found unharmed and five teens were arrested in the case.
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LaSalle County conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-23 & N 33rd RD (Dayton TWP) Audrey Land (19) of Ottawa was cited for speeding 72 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, and released at the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-23 & n 2250th RD (Farm Ridge TWP) Collin Avery (19) of Bloomington was cited for revoked Driver’s License, no license plate light, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Collin was transported to LASCO Jail and later released with an NTA.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-18 & E 22nd RD (Otter Creek TWP) Nicholas Bertacchi (18) of Orland Park was cited for speeding 89 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, and released at the scene with an NTA.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3 pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 54. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night
Occasional showers. Patchy fog. Low around 39. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east-northeast after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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OBITUARIES:
Tracy Ann Conner, 55, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, January 25th, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Visitation will be today, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 31, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Nancy K. Quinzio, age 87, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on January 27th. A visitation will be held today, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Eileen Marie (Schmitt) Knecht, 64, passed peacefully, after her second brave battle with cancer, on Thursday, January 23rd, at OSF Medical Center in Peoria. A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 31st, at the Prey-Mueller Funeral Home in Oglesby. A private burial at St. Peter & Paul’s Cemetery will be held at a later date.
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Mary Angela (Angie) Epley, age 60, born in Ottawa, and residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico passed away unexpectedly on January 20th. Visitation will be held Friday, January 31st, at 10:00 a.m. with services at 11:00 a.m. at French’s Funeral Home, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A link to the Funeral home website will be in her full obituary.
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Phyllis R. Riveland, 97, of Serena, passed away on Sunday, January 26th, at the LaSalle County nursing home in Ottawa, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be on Friday, January 31st, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Somonauk. Funeral Service will be on Saturday, February 1st, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge in Sandwich.
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Judith Ann Claus, 84, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, January 22nd, in her home, surrounded by family. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 1st, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
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Sandra Einhaus 83 of Ottawa departed this world on January 26th. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 31st, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, February 1, at 10:30 am, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Doris (Bense) Langer, 94, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, January 27th, at Pleasant View Lutheran Nursing Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 31st, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Visitation will be will from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys basketball
Marquette 63, Roanoke-Benson 42: At the 98th Tri-County Tournament
Seneca 81, Lowpoint-Washburn 62: At the 98th Tri-County Tournament
Plano 68, Serena 45: At Plano
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Girls basketball
Tonight
Marquette welcomes Midland
Streator at Peotone
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Boys wrestling
Mendota 41, Streator 30: At Mendota
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GIRLS WRESTLING
La Salle-Peru 38, Sterling 24: The Cavaliers earned a nonconference win in La Salle.
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GIRLS BOWLING
La Salle-Peru 2,903, Rochelle 2,126: at the Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bull’s defense fell apart in the second quarter during a 122-100 loss to the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. The Bulls surrendered 41 points in the quarter and trailed the rest of the way. Coby White and Patrick Williams each scored 16 points in the losing effort. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 20-and-28. The Bulls visit Toronto tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Blackhawks will try to get on a winning streak when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center tonight. The Hawks just beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 on the road on Tuesday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 37 points and a 16-29-and-5 record. Tonight’s game starts at 6:00 PM.
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The Chicago Sky are bringing back an integral member of their 2021 WNBA championship team. The team is expected to sign guard Courtney Vandersloot when free agency officially opens up on Saturday.
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Ben Johnson is continuing to fill out his coaching staff. The Chicago Bears hired a former Jaguars offensive coordinator to be the team’s passing game coordinator yesterday. Taylor spent the last three years with Jacksonville after beginning his coaching career with the Eagles in 2013.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Northwestern Wildcats couldn’t slow down Ace Bailey during a 79-72 loss to Rutgers at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Bailey poured in 37 points against Northwestern on 13-of-20 shooting. Jalen Leach led Northwestern with 23 points in the losing effort, and Nick Martinelli finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Wildcats dropped to 12-and-9 overall and 3-and-7 in the Big Ten. They host number 17 Wisconsin on Saturday.
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The number-20 Illinois Fighting Illini are back in action when they visit Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena tonight. The Illini just beat Northwestern 83-74 on Sunday afternoon. Illinois is 6-and-4 in the Big Ten and 14-and-6 overall. Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 PM.
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In other college hoops action yesterday, DePaul lost to number-24 UConn 72-61, UIC crushed Bradley 93-70, Illinois State beat Belmont 81-78, and Loyola fell to George Mason 58-53. On Saturday, Notre Dame visits Miami.
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Former U of I basketball star and Chicago high school great Efrem Winters is dead. He passed away this week from a lengthy illness at 61. Winter, who played at King High School, won the McDonald’s All-American Game MVP in 1982. He ended his career at Illinois as the school’s all-time rebounder and number three scorer.
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Football
The Fighting Irish have decided on who will run their defense beginning next season. ESPN reports that Notre Dame is hiring Chris Ash as the program’s new defensive coordinator. The hire is expected to be finalized by the school in the coming days. He will replace Al Golden, who left the team to become the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals last week. The former Rutgers head coach has extensive college coaching experience. He was the co-coordinator on Ohio State’s national title team in 2014, was the DC of two Big Ten title teams at Wisconsin, and has also led the defense at Arkansas and Texas.