Streator police are investigating a late-night burglary in the 300 block of South Fourth Avenue after responding to reports of a suspicious man peering through windows around 10:20 p.m. Wednesday. Shortly after, another caller reported seeing the suspect, his face obscured by a hoodie, fleeing through an alley. Investigating officers spoke with a resident who said they heard a breaking sound and discovered the intruder in their vestibule before he fled on foot. Police believe the suspect may have escaped in a waiting vehicle after K-9 units were unable to track him. Investigators found the rear door pried open and recovered a pry bar at the scene, which will be analyzed for DNA or fingerprints. This marks the second burglary in the area within a week, prompting officers to canvas the neighborhood for surveillance footage. Authorities urge Streator residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
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The La Salle County Board welcomed a new member to replace Republican Beth Findley Smith who recently resigned her seat after moving out of Northville Township. Chairman Don Jensen appointed Jim Reid, a retired truck driver and former Marine to represent District 4 and the full board unanimously ratified the decision. The 65-year-old Reid is an Illinois native and has experience as a police officer and in commercial trucking. During Thursday’s meeting, the county board approved a $36,842 emergency water heater replacement at the jail, and conditionally approved mining petitions for 45 and 74 acres in Troy Grove Township. The next LaSalle County Board meeting is on Monday, March 10, at 1:00 p.m.
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The annual six-digit pension for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is being suspended after he was found guilty on conspiracy and bribery charges this week. Madigan was informed yesterday by the state that the pension system will stop sending his monthly checks because Illinois law bans elected officials from collecting payments once they are convicted, or plead guilty to, a felony tied to their government job. Madigan was convicted Wednesday on ten counts. He was receiving $158,000-thousand dollars a year for his pension.
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A La Salle County grand jury has indicted 46-year-old Derek Hornick of Streator on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and resisting arrest. His latest trouble stems from a January 28 incident at Bulldog’s Restaurant on North Bloomington Street, where Streator police took him into custody for disorderly conduct and violating a pretrial release agreement. Already facing serious felony charges, including cocaine distribution and escaping from a La Salle County deputy’s squad car in Ottawa, Hornick remains behind bars as he awaits trial.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection is touting a large seizure of counterfeit stamps. Last weekend, officers assigned to the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team at the Chicago International Mail Branch stopped eight shipments containing more than 161-thousand counterfeit U.S. Forever stamps. All the parcels came from China. If they were genuine, the stamps would have a face value of over 118 thousand dollars.
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64-year-old Roger Farley of rural Earlville recently pleaded guilty to meth distribution in La Salle County and received a four-year prison sentence, followed by one year of probation. Farley’s arrest stemmed from a June 2023 investigation, where he was caught selling meth to informants working with the Trident Drug Task Force.
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19-year-old Nicoli Cox of Ottawa was cited by LaSalle County Deputies for speeding 73 MPH in a 55 MPH zone after a traffic stop in Freedom Township at U.S. 52 and East 15 Road.
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A Pontiac man has tickets for speeding 76 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. 32 –32-year-old Zachary Garrels was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A 21-year-old Plano man has charges from LaSalle County Deputies after he was stopped in Serena Township at Illinois 23 and North 38th Road. Vincent Herbig was charged with speeding 77 MPH in a 55 MPH zone as well as being arrested for having no valid driver’s license. He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail and later released with a court date.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in north Ottawa at Illinois 23 and Etna Road. 30-year-old Katherine Staffeldt of Sandwich was cited for improper use of electronic devices and expired registration. She was released with a notice to appear in court.
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Ottawa Police stopped a Chicago Heights man Thursday at East Norris Drive and Chessie Lane. 33-year-old Noel A. Lopez was charged with driving on a suspended license and resisting arrest.
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19-year-old Rylee Davis of Marseilles was stopped by LaSalle County Deputies at U.S. 6 and Illinois 71 and cited for having an obstructed front windshield as well as operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Davis was released with a notice to appear in court.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in Bruce Township near Illinois 23 and North 17th Road. 29-year-old Tesla Webb of Streator was cited for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Webb was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A Morris man has charges of driving with an obstructed front windshield and no front license plate. 22-year-old Christopher Gonzalez was stopped in Marseilles at U.S. 6 and Main Street. He was released with a court date.
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WEATHER:
Today
A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after 5 pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 29. Wind chill values as low as -12. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
Snow likely before 4 am, then snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain between 4 am and 5 am, then snow likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain and sleet after 5 am. Cloudy, with a temperature rising to around 30 by 5 am. South southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no ice accumulation is expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of around an inch is possible.
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OBITUARIES:
John Kelly, 67, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, February 8th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, surrounded by his family and dear friend Gina Crain. A Graveside service will take place at St. Columba Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Ruth Lozano, 83, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, February 9th, at Pleasant View Lutheran Nursing Home in Ottawa. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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John “Jack’ Patrick Finnegan, 86, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, February 12th, at his home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m., memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 21st, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa.
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Albert John “Duke” Manley, 68, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, February 12th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Funeral services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us on Saturday for High School Boys Basketball as your Marquette Crusaders travel to take on Hinkley-Big Rock at 12:30 pm. Andrew Evola will be on the call for the game.
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GIRLS BASKETBALL
Ottawa 59, Streator 15: At Ottawa on Senior night
Marquette 52, Hall 45: At Spring Valley
Mendota 73, Newark 21: At Mendota
Seneca 56, Pontiac 48: At Seneca
Morris 63, Serena 47: At Serena
Sandwich 44, Hinckley-Big Rock 43: At Sandwich
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox are adding a two-time All-Star. The Southsiders signed Joey Gallo to a minor league contract yesterday. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training. The 31-year-old spent last season with the Nationals. He hit .161 with 10 home runs and 27 RBI in 76 games in 2024.
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Jed Hoyer has no regrets when it comes to the Cub’s pursuit of Alex Bregman. The All-Star free agent third baseman signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, but the Cubs were reportedly one of three finalists for the slugger. Hoyer told reporters yesterday that he’s disappointed, but he added that the club made the best offer that it could. The Cubs begin full-team workouts at Spring Training in Mesa, Arizona, today.
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The Chicago Bulls have finally reached the All-Star Break. The team will be off until February 20th. The Bulls don’t have any All-Stars competing this weekend, but rookie forward Matas Buzelis will participate in the dunk contest tomorrow night. Chicago enters the break on a four-game losing streak. The Bulls are in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 22-and-33.
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The Chicago Blackhawks will enjoy another week off thanks to the Four Nations Face-Off. Chicago does not have any players participating in the tournament. The Hawks return to action with a road game against Columbus next Saturday.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
MEN’S BASKETBALL
IVCC 75, Kishwaukee 67:
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Kishwaukee 69, IVCC 37:
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The Illinois Fighting Illini go for their third win in a row when they host number-11 Michigan State at State Farm Center tomorrow night. The Illini just beat UCLA 83-78 at home on Tuesday night. Illinois is in seventh place in the Big Ten with a 9-and-6 conference record and a 17-and-8 mark overall. Tomorrow’s game gets underway at 7:00 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish look to go on a winning streak when they host Louisville at Purcell Pavilion on Sunday. The Irish snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Boston College 97-94 in double overtime on Wednesday. Notre Dame is tied for 11th place in the ACC with a 5-and-8 conference record and an 11-and-13 mark overall. Sunday’s game starts at 7:00 PM Central time.
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The Northwestern Wildcats aim to avoid a third consecutive loss when they host Nebraska at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday. The Wildcats are coming off an 81-75 loss at Oregon on Tuesday night. Northwestern is in 16th place in the Big Ten with a 4-and-10 conference record and a 13-and-12 mark overall. Sunday’s game tips off at 2:00 PM.
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In college hoops action yesterday, Chicago State was destroyed by Fairleigh Dickinson 91-49. Tonight, Loyola hosts Saint Louis. Tomorrow, DePaul visits Xavier, Chicago State is at La Moyne, Illinois State is on the road against Indiana State, and Northern Illinois travels to Ball State. On Sunday, Bradley has a road game against Drake, UIC welcomes Missouri State, and Valparaiso visits Evansville.