Yesterday morning Marseilles Police officers responded to a reported break-in at 790 Oakley Street, where smoke detectors had been activated and the caller was trapped in the basement, believing the suspect was his brother, Jeffrey D. Peterson, against whom he had an active Order of Protection. An officer arrived, located a basement window, and rescued the resident. Peterson, 45, was later found at a hotel in Ottawa and taken into custody while out on pretrial release for domestic battery in LaSalle County. He is now held at the LaSalle County Jail on charges of aggravated arson and violation of a civil no-contact order. Authorities have confirmed this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public, with assistance from the Ottawa Police Department, the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and the Marseilles Fire Department.
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The State of Illinois approved last year the creation of a Rivers Edge Recovery Zone in Ottawa, offering benefits similar to an enterprise zone, including a 25-percent state historic tax credit that can be combined with a 20-percent federal historic tax credit. Owners of historic buildings in Ottawa are invited to a meeting tonight at 6 pm, in the City Hall chambers to learn about renovation incentives, with an initial focus on structures within the downtown commercial historic district. For more details, call City Hall at 433-0161, extension 220.
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The Ottawa Police Department is launching the LINKED – Autism Safety Project, a voluntary program aimed at enhancing connections between emergency responders and the autism and special needs community. Developed by autism advocate Ashley McClain, LINKED allows caregivers to register individuals in Ottawa’s Safety Alert System, providing first responders with essential information to create personalized pre-arrival plans. Enrolled families receive an Emergency Planning Folder with resources and a social story for communication support. Additionally, emergency vehicles will be equipped with sensory packs and a Picture Exchange Communication System for non-verbal individuals. This program is free for residents—contact Detective Landeros for more details!
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State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, responded to the Trump Administration’s now-reversed attempt to freeze federal aid, calling it a reckless move that threatened critical services for millions. She warned of future efforts to overreach and cut resources for working families but emphasized the state’s role in protecting residents. Additionally, she voiced concern Thursday over the Planned Parenthood closure coming in March in Ottawa, citing a broader trend of healthcare cutbacks in the Illinois Valley. To address this, Briel recently proposed the Rural Hospital Task Force Act to tackle the ongoing challenges in rural healthcare, such as hospital closures, low patient volume, high fixed costs, and heavy dependence on public funding.
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LaSalle County officials expressed concern over Planned Parenthood’s decision to close its Ottawa location in March but pledged support for affected residents. The closure is part of a broader plan to shut down four Illinois centers, including Ottawa, Decatur, Bloomington, and Englewood in Chicago. The Ottawa facility offered services like birth control, STD testing, pregnancy care, and general wellness. The La Salle County Health Department reassured the community of continued reproductive health support. Planned Parenthood will direct patients to 13 other locations and expand telehealth options through the PPDirect app. For more information, please visit this news story on the WCMY website.
https://lasallecountyil.gov/219/Health-Department or call 815-433-3366.
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The Grand Ridge Village Board addressed concerns at their recent board meeting about switching to a single trash hauler, Waste Management of Illinois, to reduce truck traffic and preserve village roads. Starting Feb. 4, residents must use Waste Management’s 96-gallon bins, with collection on Tuesdays and a $20.50 monthly fee, increasing 5% annually until 2027. Trash outside the bins will not be collected. Residents can opt-out by submitting a form via mail or email, with requests reviewed at the next board meeting on Feb. 18th. At this time currently, 20 residents have sent in an opt-out form with 18 being approved by the village board.
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A student teacher in District 50 in Washington is charged with disorderly conduct over comments she made on social media. The Journal Star reports local law enforcement informed the district that the student teacher made a comment about shooting a student during an online chat with friends while she was sitting in the back of a classroom Wednesday. The teacher was then arrested. The school where the incident took place hasn’t been released.
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Pekin police are dispelling a rumor of an immigration raid in the city. Police say they were made aware of a local social media post on Wednesday about a “possible ICE raid” the police department carried out in the one-thousand block of Charles Street. Officials say the post was “entirely inaccurate,” calling the operation a high-risk narcotics search warrant that was carried out by the Central Illinois Emergency Response Team. The use of armored vehicles and the blocking of streets is standard operating procedure when executing these types of operations. In Addition, the City of Ottawa, and Streator had similar hoaxes posted to social media about possible ICE raids at local area businesses. Sigan American, on McKinley Road in Ottawa, was one such target.
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Governor Pritzker is demanding answers from the Trump Administration about the deadly aviation crash in Washington, DC. The governor released a statement saying the “Trump Administration must respond to this tragedy with information and facts to instill confidence in our nation’s aviation safety, which is squarely managed by the federal government.” Some of the questions that Pritzker wants answered include, was the control tower not fully staffed at the time of the crash, and why the Trump Administration fired members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee. The governor urges the White House to cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board as they conduct an independent investigation.
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Illinois officials are touting a record-setting jump in enrollment for the 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. Governor Pritzker announced nearly 466-thousand Illinoisans enrolled in Get Covered Illinois Marketplace plans since November 1st. That was a record-high 17-percent jump in enrollment numbers.
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Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke is seeking to have his sentence reduced following his corruption conviction. The ex-longtime lawmaker was found guilty in 2023 on federal racketeering and bribery charges. He started serving his two-year prison sentence last September at a federal minimum security prison in Thomson, Illinois. Burke filed a petition for clemency earlier this month with the U.S. Department of Justice of the Pardon Attorney. The petition is pending.
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Illinois State Police are partnering with several universities in the state to expand educational opportunities for troopers and officers. Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Western Illinois University will offer credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree for troopers and officers who graduate from the ISP Academy. The goal of the partnership is to build an even stronger law enforcement agency. Officials say it will provide ISP Academy graduates with some of the highest credit hours toward a degree.
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Three major midwest John Deere dealers are merging. Illinois-based Prairie State Tractor and Martin Tractor are merging with Heritage Tractor. All 40-plus locations of the merged company throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas will be branded as Heritage Tractor stores. Martin Tractor has dealers in Aledo, Kewanee, and Macomb. Prairie State has a Deere dealership in Geneseo.
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Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke plans to crack down on crimes involving machine guns. She has reportedly directed prosecutors to seek prison sentences in felony cases involving rapid-fire weapons. O’Neill Burke released a statement saying the policy is meant to provide certainty and consistency for prosecutors and police. Records show that recoveries of weapons with machine-gun conversion devices have increased significantly in Chicago since 2019, with 40 recovered that year.
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Rock Island Police are calling a missing child case earlier this month a hoax. Rock Island Police Chief Timothy McCloud says the mother of four-year-old Blessing Aoci, Princess Ilunga, falsely reported that her daughter was inside a vehicle that was stolen in Rock Island on January 16th. After the child was found unharmed, McCloud said investigators learned that Blessing had been in her own home the entire time. He accused Ilunga of repeatedly lying to officials during the investigation and intentionally concealing her daughter’s whereabouts. The mother has been charged with filing a false police report and a warrant has been issued for her arrest. She remains on the loose.
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61-year-old Anna Tunget was charged with domestic battery Thursday after Ottawa Police investigated an incident at 1238 Kansas Street.
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Peru Police arrested 40-year-old Fernando L. Coss of Streator at May Road and IL Illinois 251 on charges of driving on a suspended license, suspended vehicle registration, and no insurance. He was released with a court date.
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26-year-old Eric Motozapo of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Thursday in the 2100 block of Somerset Drive on a charge of battery.
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A 32-year-old Spring Valley man was arrested by Peru Police at 4th and Herbert Streets in Peru, for driving with a suspended license. Rogelio Rojo was released with a notice to appear in court.
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45-year-old Jeffrey D. Peterson was picked up by Ottawa at the Hampton Inn Thursday on a charge of resisting arrest.
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43-year-old Shareese M. Johnson of Chicago was arrested by Peru Police at the LaQuinta Inn on a charge of failure to report an accident to police authorities.
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WEATHER:
Rain, possibly heavy at times, is expected Friday morning. Localized rainfall totals of an inch or more are possible Friday morning, which would likely result in flooding in low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as the potential for isolated ice jam flooding on area rivers. There is a slight chance of a thunderstorm early Friday morning as well.
DENSE FOG ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM
Friday
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 2 pm, then a chance of rain. Patchy fog before 3 pm. Temperature falling to around 37 by 5 pm. Breezy, with a north-northeast wind of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three-quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 28. Blustery, with a north-northeast wind of 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
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 today, 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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Doris (Bense) Langer, 94, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, January 27th, at Pleasant View Lutheran Nursing Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be will from 10 to 11 a.m. today, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will follow 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 today, 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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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. today, 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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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 today, 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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Carol Jean Reinecke, 62, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, January 30th, at her home surrounded by her loving family. A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6, from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 5:00 pm.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Marquette 66, Midland 44:
Princeton 65, Mendota 28:
Dixon 45, La Salle-Peru 37:
Somonauk-Leland 47, Earlville 29:
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BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodland 60, St. Bede 38: in a Tri-County Conference Tournament semifinal in Granville.
Henry-Senachwine 67, Putnam County 54: The Mallards won a consolation game in the Tri-County Conference Tournament in Granville.
Tonight:
Third place – (2) Roanoke-Benson vs. (5) Lowpoint-Washburn, 6:30 p.m.
Title – (1) Seneca vs. (6) Marquette, 8 p.m.
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GIRLS BOWLING
La Salle-Peru 3,268, Kaneland 2,525:
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BOYS SWIMMING
La Salle-Peru co-op 64, Moline 29: The Cavaliers won nine of 11 events to earn a victory Thursday in La Salle.
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BOYS WRESTLING
Ottawa lost to Seneca
Seneca – Coach Todd Yegge’s 400th Career Dual win
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Blackhawks surrendered a pair of second-period goals during a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center. The game was tied at one after Ilya Mikheyev lit the lamp for Chicago at the end of the first period, but the Canes got goals from Mikko Rantanen and Jaccob Slavin within two minutes of each other to take the lead for good. Connor Bedard also scored for the Blackhawks. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 37 points and a 16-30-and-5 record. The Hawks visit the Panthers tomorrow.
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The Chicago Bulls look to get back in the win column when they visit the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 122-100 loss to the Boston Celtics on the road on Wednesday night. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 20-and-28. Tonight’s game starts at 6:30 PM.
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McDonald’s is partnering with a female athlete for the first-ever time. Angel Reese will have her meal special with the fast-food chain. Reese had an impressive 2024, breaking multiple WNBA records with the Chicago Sky. The meal is a BBQ bacon quarter pounder with cheese and a new barbecue sauce, plus fries and a drink. Customers can order the Angel Reese Special beginning February 10th.
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The Chicago Bears have a new defensive line coach. The team hired Bill Johnson to new head coach Ben Johnson’s staff yesterday. Johnson has over 45 years of coaching experience between the NCAA, NFL, and UFL. He coached with the Falcons, Broncos, Saints, and Rams, but he was most recently the defensive line coach for the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL.
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Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is bringing some Chicago coaches with him to his new job. He was hired this week by Dallas to become their new defensive coordinator. The Cowboys announced that they also hired Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi and safeties coach Andre Curtis. Both were part of Eberflus’ staff all three of his seasons in Chicago.
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The Wrigley Field bleachers will sport a new look this season. The Cubs are adding a new outdoor rental space in Centerfield that will be called the Yard. The space features high-top seats, a ballpark meal included, and unlimited drinks. The seating areas will be available for groups from four to 50 fans. Tickets go on sale Wednesday.
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Dwyane Wade is revealing a cancer diagnosis. The Chicago native says he had a cancerous tumor removed from his kidney in December 2023. The former Miami Heat guard revealed the news on his podcast. Wade said he had been putting off a physical, but saw a doctor due to health concerns, including stomach and urinary issues.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The number-20 Illinois Fighting Illini are in danger of dropping out of the top 25 after losing to Nebraska 80-74 in overtime at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Illinois sent the game to overtime when Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn knocked down a three with 46 seconds left in regulation, but the Illini were outscored 10-4 in the extra frame. Kasparas Jakucionis led Illinois with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Will Riley chipped in with 16 points. The Illini dropped to 6-and-5 in Big Ten play and 14-and-7 overall. They host Ohio State on Sunday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats go for the upset when they host number-17 Wisconsin at Welsh-Ryan Arena tomorrow. The Wildcats are on a two-game losing streak following a 79-72 home loss to Rutgers on Wednesday night. Northwestern is 3-and-7 in the Big Ten and 12-and-9 overall. Tomorrow’s game begins at 1:00 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish go for their third win in a row when they visit Miami at Watsco Center tomorrow night. The Irish just earned a 71-68 home win over Georgia Tech last Saturday. Notre Dame is 4-and-5 in the ACC and 10-and-10 overall. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 7:00 PM Central time.
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In college hoops action tomorrow, Loyola hosts Saint Joseph’s, UIC welcomes Indiana State, Chicago State is at home against Long Island, Illinois State has a home game against Valparaiso, and Northern Illinois visits Toledo. On Sunday, DePaul hosts Seton Hall, and Bradley is at Northern Iowa.