Arlington Heights-based Lutheran Life Communities, the parent company of Pleasant View in Ottawa, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Northern District of Illinois, seeking a court-supervised reorganization of the company. According to the filing, Arlington Heights-based Lutheran Life Communities reports liabilities and assets ranging between $10 million and $50 million, with fewer than 50 creditors. Despite the bankruptcy proceedings, Pleasant View in Ottawa is expected to remain open and operate as usual. In a statement, the company assured that under the court’s supervision, employees would continue to receive their pay and benefits, and no residents are in danger of being relocated.
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An Ottawa woman has been sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to setting a fire on Thanksgiving Day that damaged a residence but caused no injuries. Tekeisha White, 21, admitted to committing residential arson, a Class 1 felony punishable by four to 15 years in prison, during her appearance Friday in La Salle County Circuit Court. In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dropped a more serious aggravated arson charge, a Class X felony that carries a potential 30-year sentence, making her eligible for day-for-day good time. With 71 days credited for time served, White could be paroled in 2028. She declined to address Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. before sentencing.
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The City of Ottawa is notifying residents that the alley in the 600 block of Court Street, from Court Street east to Columbus Street, will be closed to all traffic and use starting at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11th. It is expected to remain closed through Thursday, February 13th, as a water service connection is being completed. The alley will be reopened once the work is finished. For more information please contact the City of Ottawa.
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The Henry Police Department is warning residents that some individuals in Putnam County have received spam text messages from the IRS claiming they are eligible for a $1,400 additional refund. It is important to remember that the U.S. government will never contact individuals through text messages or emails; all official correspondence will be conducted via USPS mail. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you have received text messages that fit this description, please contact your local law enforcement agency directly.
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The Ottawa Police Department honored Sgt. Brenden Donahue on Friday, celebrating his retirement with a heartfelt sendoff. Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, Donahue made his final radio sign-off to dispatch, met with applause and appreciation. Serving as the school resource officer for 13 years with Ottawa Elementary School District 141, he played a vital role in educating students through the DARE program before being promoted to corporal in 2016 and later to sergeant.
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The recent funding freeze by the Trump Administration for federal aid programs has hit some Head Start programs in Illinois. The freeze was rescinded after two federal judges issued restraining orders but local agencies are having trouble drawing on funding that had been approved for them. Head Start agencies provide early childcare and education programs for low-income families. They also offer food, medical, and training programs for parents. Federal officials estimate the current delays with the program are affecting some 20 thousand children nationwide.
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Jury deliberations continue today for the ninth day in the federal corruption trial of Michael Madigan. Jurors left Friday afternoon after not reaching a verdict in the case against the former Illinois House Speaker and his co-defendant Michael McClain. Both are charged with bribery and embezzlement.
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State lawmakers are considering a bill to give Illinois mothers paid breaks for breastfeeding their babies. The proposed breaks would not take away from any other required breaks for working mothers. Another related bill would provide coverage for hypoallergenic formula under Medicaid if a doctor has prescribed it. Both bills have been sent to committees and could be deliberated this month.
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Governor J.B. Pritzker — known for his occasional trolling of President Trump — has done it again. This time, the governor poked fun at Trump’s interest in renaming the Gulf of Mexico and annexing Canada. Pritzker posted online this weekend that Lake Michigan will now be known as Lake Illinois. He also announced — to protect Illinois against foreign enemies — the state will annex Green Bay, Wisconsin — about Trump’s interest in taking over Greenland.
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A man is admitting to killing a 15-year-old Dekalb girl in 2023. Timothy Doll pleaded guilty Wednesday to the murder of Gracie Sasso-Cleveland in 2023. The teen’s body was found in a dumpster in May 2023 after she was reported missing by her family. Police say Doll and Sasso argued before he suffocated her with a pillow. Doll will be sentenced in April.
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Joseph B. Frackowiak, a 26-year-old male from Peru, was arrested on Thursday, February 6th, at 5:00 PM at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital (Peru Campus), located at 925 West St, Peru, IL. He faces charges of aggravated battery and violating the conditions of his pretrial release.
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Anthony R. Rexroad, 39, of Streator, was arrested on February 8th, at 6:14 p.m. in the 1200 block of East Main Street for criminal trespass. He was cited and released at the scene.
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Streator Police officers arrested 21-year-old Kailey N. Overocker of Streator at the intersection of Livingston Street and Colorado Street on an outstanding Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant from Pike County for violating a court order. She was taken into custody and transported to the LaSalle County Jail.
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At 6:23 a.m. on February 8th, officers responded to a theft incident at 920 E. Main. The incident resulted in the arrest of 31-year-old Brady J. McMullen of Streator. McMullen was cited for theft and subsequently released with a scheduled court appearance.
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WEATHER:
Monday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 35. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night
A chance of flurries after midnight. Cloudy, with a low of around 22. Light and variable wind becoming north-northeast at 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
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OBITUARIES:
Keith Lehr, 42, of Grand Ridge, passed away on Thursday, February 6th, at UI Health in Chicago. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. today, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m.. Private burial will take place at Grand Ridge Cemetery at a later date.
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William T. Rosencrans, 95, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, February 3RD, at Arc in Streator. Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be Tuesday, February 11th, at 10:30 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Kevin Michael Leiteritz, of Ottawa, passed away, on Friday, January 31st at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa. A celebration of life will be held on February 15th, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at the American Legion in Ottawa. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us on Saturday afternoon as your Marquette Crusaders travel to Hinkley-Big Rock for a 12:30 pm tip-off, with Andrew Evola on the call for the game.
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BOYS BASKETBALL
La Salle-Peru 54, Ottawa 44: At La Salle, the visiting Pirates fell despite 17 points from Owen Sanders in the 255th meeting between the old rivals.
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The 106th Annual Little Ten Conference Boys Basketball Tournament
Hinckley-Big Rock held off a late Indian Creek comeback to win the tournament for the eighth time overall and the first time since 2013.
Championship–Hinckley-Big Rock d Indian Creek 47-44
3rd Place–Newark def Serena 62-44
Consolation–Earlville def Somonauk 46-37
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GIRLS BASKETBALL
La Salle-Peru 50, Rochelle 45 (OT): in Rochele.
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Boys wrestling
The Ottawa Pirates advanced two and Streator one to next weekend’s Washington Individual Sectional. For Ottawa, Wes Weatherford and Giovanni Hernandez. For the Bulldogs, it was Jesus Martinez.
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Girls bowling
Lily Michael advances for Streator: At the Morton, Regional contested Friday at Potter’s Alley.
Kilah Figenbaum moves on for Ottawa: At the Dixon Regional held at Plum Hollow Family Center.
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PRO SPORTS:
Former White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada is heading west. The free-agent third-baseman signed a one-year, five-million-dollar contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
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The Cubs are the first MLB team to begin their 2025 campaign. Pitchers and catchers reported to Arizona for Spring Training yesterday. The Cubs will have their first full-squad workout on Friday. Their first game will be on February 20th against the Dodgers.
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The Bulls blew a big lead during a 132-111 loss to the Golden State Warriors at United Center on Saturday. The Bulls led by 24 points in the third quarter before collapsing and trailing by as many as 25 in the fourth. Coby White scored 27 points in the losing effort. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-and-31 record. The Bulls host the Pistons tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Sky is moving on from Dana Evans. The team traded Evans to the Las Vegas Aces over the weekend. Chicago received a pair of second-round picks to complete the deal. Evans averaged over seven points per game in 39 appearances last year.
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The Blackhawks picked up a point during a 6-5 shootout loss against the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center. Teuvo Teravainen and Ilya Mikheyev both scored in the third period to put Chicago up by a goal before St. Louis tied the game with under five minutes left in regulation. The Blackhawks went on to lose a ten-round shootout. Ryan Donato, Craig Smith, and Alec Martinez also lit the lamp in the losing effort. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 41 points and a 17-31-and-7 record. The Blackhawks next game is against Columbus on February 22nd.
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College Football Hall of Famer and former NFL coach and player Dick Jauron has died. He coached the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills, and his greatest success came in 2001 when he led the Bears to a 13-and-three record and NFC Central Division title. Jauron’s daughter posted on Facebook that he died shortly after being diagnosed with brain cancer. He was just 74.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The number-25 Illinois Fighting Illini got back in the win column with a 95-74 rout of Minnesota at Williams Arena on Saturday. The Illini outscored Minnesota by double-digits in each half. Will Riley poured in 27 points off the bench, while Kasparas Jakucionis finished with 24. Illinois is in seventh place in the Big Ten with an 8-and-6 conference record and a 16-and-8 mark overall. The Illini host UCLA tomorrow night.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost to Virginia Tech 65-63 at Purcell Pavilion on Saturday. Markus Burton led the Irish with 23 points in the losing effort, while Tae Davis finished with 18. Notre Dame is in 15th place in the ACC with a 4-and-8 conference record and a 10-and-13 mark overall. The Irish visit Boston College on Wednesday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats faded down the stretch of a 76-71 loss to the Washington Huskies at American Airlines Arena on Saturday. The Wildcats led by four with under four minutes left in regulation before getting outscored 14-5 the rest of the way. Nick Martinelli had 23 points in the losing effort. Northwestern is tied for 15th place in the Big Ten with a 4-and-9 conference record and a 13-and-11 mark overall. The Wildcats are at Oregon tomorrow.
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In college hoops action on Saturday, Bradley beat Evansville 80-74, UIC fell to Southern Illinois 79-67, Chicago State went down against Saint Francis 81-69, Northern Illinois was edged by Louisiana-Lafayette 66-64, Illinois State was defeated by Northern Iowa 68-65, and Valparaiso was crushed by Murray State 74-56.
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MEN’S BASKETBALL
Milwaukee Area Tech 104, IVCC 95: in Milwaukee.
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WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Milwaukee Area Tech 85, IVCC 52: in Milwaukee.