Due to the recent nationwide governmental cuts, and federal funding concerns, the Illinois Valley Center for Independent Living (IVCIL) outreach office located at the OSF Center for Health in Streator will be closed on Fridays. Office hours will remain available on Tuesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Meanwhile, IVCIL’s main office at 1 Les Buzz Way in Spring Valley will continue to operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. For any questions regarding IVCIL services, please feel free to call 815-224-3126. IVCIL did not indicate whether federal funding for the program will be entirely lost.
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Illinois State Police say they’ve responded to more than 130 accidents or drivers in distress since Saturday. Slipper road conditions due to winter storms were the main cause. State police are urging drivers to proceed with extreme caution in the case of severe weather. Meanwhile, no reprieve for Illinois, as most of the state is expecting more snow over the next few days, as well as sub-zero temperatures.
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The La Salle County Board recently faced a contentious issue regarding a petition for a 76-acre solar farm in Utica Township, ultimately passing a rare roll call with eight “yes” votes, one “no” vote from Bill Brown, R-Utica, and 17 members abstaining or voting “present.” Despite the objections from several board members concerned about the increasing acreage allocated to solar panels over agricultural use, the petitioners posed a significant threat of legal action against the county if the project were blocked. In an attempt to circumvent a direct vote against the project, the board’s strategy backfired when county attorneys determined that the abstentions did not affect the binding tally, resulting in a final vote of 8-1 in favor. Doug Trager, D-Ottawa, expressed frustration, urging his colleagues to conduct further research into the implications of their decisions.
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Chris Nielson, a 44-year-old man from Morris, has been charged in connection with the death of his mother, 63-year-old Alison Findley. Initially denying involvement, Nielson is now considered responsible for Findley’s death, which occurred in August 2024. She was reported missing on August 30, and her body was later discovered near the brush at the tree line close to her apartment on Twilight Drive, with the coroner indicating strangulation as the cause of death. Nielson was apprehended in Bourbonnais and faces serious charges, including three counts of First Degree murder, two counts of Felony Domestic Battery, and one count of Felony Aggravated Battery. He is currently held at the Grundy County Jail.
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On Friday night, two individuals were arrested at the Streator Walmart on weapons charges after a report indicated a man pointed a handgun at a caller in the parking lot. While there was no gunfire, police located the suspect’s vehicle at a nearby gas station. The driver, 26-year-old Sarah Carpenter, fled but was apprehended in the 1300 block of Dalton, charged with illegal possession of a weapon and obstructing justice. The male passenger, identified as 22-year-old Jordan Kozak, was caught in the 600 block of Kent Street and faces multiple charges, including aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon, aggravated assault, and a La Salle County warrant for domestic battery. Kozak is currently held in the La Salle County Jail.
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Streator police are currently investigating two separate incidents involving firearm discharges into vehicles. The first incident occurred at approximately 2:30 AM in the 200 block of Penn Street, while the second took place at 9:22 PM in the 600 block of North Sterling. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in either case. Authorities are actively working on the investigations, gathering evidence and seeking any information from the public to help identify any potential suspects.
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Power is still being restored to several residents across Central Illinois after winter storms hit the area yesterday. More than three thousand were without power, according to Ameren Illinois. The utility provider said it was a combination of wind and ice. Most customers have been restored as of this morning, but some may still be experiencing outages.
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Effingham County Health officials are warning the public after a bird tested positive for Avian Influenza. It’s being reported the hawk was collected in the county on February 11th and testing from the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Testing Lab came back positive days later. The health department says the public health risk is still low, but added they are closely monitoring the situation. The CDC recommends people avoid contact with wild birds, and not handle or capture any bird that shows signs of sickness.
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The Stellantis auto plant in Belvidere has new life. The plant has been idle for two years, leaving more than a thousand workers out of a job. Now, after the UAW and Stellantis reached a new agreement, the plant will resume operations in 2027 and bring back roughly 15 hundred jobs to the area. Stellantis will also be upgrading the plant, investing about one point two billion dollars.
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The Galesburg Fire Department scored a statewide achievement by placing second in Illinois with its Fill the Boot campaign. The annual campaign raises money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, which is the largest nonprofit in the country dedicated to raising funds for fighting muscular dystrophy This year, Galesburg firefighters raised more than 31-thousand dollars for the effort, just behind Chicago.
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Cory Hilliard, 52 was arrested for Driving under the influence, improper lane usage, no insurance, and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident at Illinois and Charles Street.
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32-year-old David W. Davis of Ottawa has multiple charges from Ottawa Police following an incident Sunday at 1413 Dakota Drive. Davis was arrested for aggravated domestic battery, interfering with reporting domestic violence, resisting and obstructing a peace officer, aggravated battery to a peace officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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An Ottawa man is charged with possession of heroin and driving on a suspended license. 42-year-old Ralph Barnes was stopped by Ottawa Police Sunday at Canal Street and Woodward Memorial Drive.
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46-year-old Clinton Anders of Ottawa was charged with retail theft after Ottawa Police investigated an incident Saturday in the 600 block of East Norris Drive. Anders was also arrested on an outstanding LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court on a trespass charge.
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Ottawa Police arrested a 17-year-old male Saturday at East Van Buren and State Street on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
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43-year-old Laura Frederici of Streator was arrested by Ottawa Police Sunday at 515 Christie Street on a charge of violation of pre-trial release conditions.
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Mendota Police charged a homeless Mendota man with criminal trespass to the property Saturday morning. 41-year-old Charles C. Smith was arrested at the Super 8 Motel.
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31-year-old Michael Pertell was arrested by Ottawa Police Friday at the PADS shelter on charges of aggravated battery, resisting a peace officer, and an outstanding LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court.
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20-year-old Jayden Mendez of Cedar Point is charged by Ottawa Police with unlawful use of a weapon and operating an uninsured vehicle after a traffic stop Saturday at Columbus and Joliet Streets.
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A LaSalle man has charges of retail theft and driving on a revoked license. 43-year-old Michael Gajowski was stopped by Ottawa Police Saturday in the 3000 block of East Illinois 71.
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WEATHER:
COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CST THIS MORNING…COLD WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST TUESDAY…
Minimum wind chills between 10 below and 25 below zero are expected early this morning. Colder conditions are expected tonight, with minimum wind chills of 15 below to 30 below zero possible.
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Washington’s Birthday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 11. Wind chill values as low as -14. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around -3. Wind chill values as low as -20. North northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph
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OBITUARIES:
Robert Eugene Poggi, 93, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, February 12th, at The Pavilion of Ottawa. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation rites.
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Zenon S. Bursztynsky, 71, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, February 14th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. A celebration of life will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18th at Crossbridge Community Church. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. prior to the service. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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Mary Wright, 82, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, February 10th, in Avon Park, Florida. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 19th, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
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David D. Syverson II passed away Monday, February 10th, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Visitation for David will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, February 20th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home followed by a service at 6 pm with Rev. John Nordstrom officiating. A Celebration of David’s life will be held at a time and place to be announced.
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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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Larry Leon Cain, 90, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, February 12th, at his home surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 21st, at First Baptist Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. before the service at the church. The burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Marcy Hennenfent, 67, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully at home in the care of her devoted family on Thursday, February 13th. Marcy was the co-host of “The Afternoon Drive With Dan and Marcy” on WCMY 1430. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 22nd from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 807 LaSalle Street in Ottawa. A memorial service will follow at 4:00 p.m. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
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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:
Boys basketball
Hinckley-Big Rock 67, Marquette 43: at the Indian Creek Shootout.
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Boys wrestling
Marquette Crusaders Alex Schaefer advances to 1A state finals at the Class 1A Oregon Sectional.
Ottawa and Streator Wrestlers Season end at the Class 2A Washington Sectional.
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Girls bowling
Streator’s season comes to a close: In the Decatur Eisenhower Sectional at Spare Time Lanes.
Ottawa’s ends season at sectional: In the Oregon Sectional at the Plum Hollow Family Center.
COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Illinois Fighting Illini had a rough second half during a 79-65 loss to number-11 Michigan State at State Farm Center on Saturday. And the hits just kept coming for the Illini, during the jersey retirement ceremony Saturday night. The university and the Fighting Illini men’s basketball team honored Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Terrence Shannon Junior with a jersey retirement ceremony. As the jersey was going up at halftime of the Illinois – Michigan State game, the crowd reacted to the banner going up upside down. Illinois is in seventh place in the Big Ten with a 9-and-7 conference record and a 17-and-9 mark overall. The Illini visit number 15 Wisconsin tomorrow.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost to the Louisville Cardinals 75-60 at Purcell Pavillion. Notre Dame is in 13th place in the ACC with a 5-and-9 conference record and an 11-and-14 mark overall. The Irish host SMU on Wednesday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats fell apart in the second half of a 68-64 loss to Nebraska at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Northwestern is in 17th place in the Big Ten with a 4-and-11 conference record and a 13-and-13 mark overall. The Wildcats visit Ohio State on Thursday.
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In college hoops action on Friday, Loyola beat Saint Louis 78-69. On Saturday, DePaul lost to Xavier 85-68, Chicago State fell to Le Moyne 80-75, Illinois State went down against Indiana State 85-76, and Northern Illinois was defeated by Ball State 89-83. Yesterday, Bradley edged Drake 61-59, UIC took down Missouri State 63-58, and Valparaiso lost to Evansville 79-69.