Streator Police now believe a house fire early Sunday morning in Streator was deliberately set, marking it as the focal point of a recent surge in violence. Firefighters responded just after 1 a.m. to a blaze at the rear of an occupied home in the 600 block of North Sterling Street, bringing it under control in less than five minutes. The family inside escaped unharmed and is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. Due to suspicious circumstances, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office and police launched an investigation, determining that an accelerant was used to ignite the fire. The home is located directly across the street from another residence struck by gunfire Saturday morning, and just three blocks away, another house on South Sterling Street was also reportedly targeted in a shooting.
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The City of Ottawa has announced the temporary closure of the west half of the alley on the 600 block of Court Street, from Court Street East toward Columbus Street, starting at 6:00 a.m. today. The closure will remain in effect until Thursday afternoon, February 27, to allow for a water service connection. The alley will reopen once the work is completed. Additionally, Green Street will be temporarily closed from Pearl Street North to Canal Road on Wednesday, February 26, beginning at 9:00 a.m., weather permitting. Contractors will be installing new poles near the box culvert, requiring portions of Green Street to be used for equipment access. The work is expected to be completed, and the street reopened, by 3:00 p.m. Wednesday.
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Mobile home property tax payments are due by Thursday, May 1st. Bills were mailed last week, and payments can be submitted in person at the treasurer’s office, placed in the drop box at the government complex in Ottawa, mailed, or made over the phone. To avoid a $25 monthly late fee, ensure your payment is received by the deadline.
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LaSalle County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) welcomed three new volunteers—Beth Findley-Smith, Jen Ebner, and Jennifer Snow—who were sworn in by 13th Judicial District Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan at the LaSalle County Courthouse. These volunteers completed CASA’s 30-hour pre-service training, led by Illinois CASA Director of Training Karen Lehmkuhl and LaSalle County CASA Advocacy Coordinator Celeste Nielsen, who will provide ongoing support. With 195 youth currently in care, more advocates are needed to give children of abuse and neglect a voice in court. CASA offers quarterly blended-flex training, with the next session beginning in April 2025. To learn more or become a volunteer, visit lasallecountycasa.org
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A new study shows that more athletes did not die suddenly from heart issues during the pandemic. A six-year study published in the journal JAMA Network Open shows that neither COVID-19 nor vaccines led to an increase in the number of cardiac arrests. Claims have spread on social media that young athletes were dying from heart issues as a result of the vaccine. The study compared episodes of sudden cardiac arrest and cardiac deaths among young athletes before the pandemic — and those between 2020 and 2022. The results show 203 heart-related deaths occurring before the pandemic, followed by 184 deaths during.
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Jury selection will resume today in the trial of the Highland Park July 4th parade shooting suspect. Attorneys agreed yesterday on seven people who will decide the fate of Robert Crimo the third. Crimo is accused of killing seven people and wounding dozens more at the suburban Independence Day parade in 2022. The judge and lawyers still need to pick five more jurors and six alternates.
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The McLean County Coroner is revealing the names of the four people believed to have been killed in a murder-suicide in Bloomington. Christopher Simmons, Chelsea Lusher, Trina Hollings, and 13-year-old Armoni Bennett were found dead Sunday in a house in the 900 block of North Lee Street. Investigators believe Simmons killed his girlfriend, Lusher, her biological son, Bennett, and Chelsea’s friend, Hollings. After murdering the other three, Simmons shot himself to death.
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Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar is battling pancreatic cancer. The 78-year-old announced yesterday that doctors at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and at the Mayo Clinic are coordinating a treatment regimen. Edgar served as governor from 1991 to 1999. He previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives and as Secretary of State.
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A visitor from Central Illinois is dead after a possible drowning off South Kona. The man was spotted struggling in the water at about 12:30 Saturday afternoon. He was near Manini Point Cove Park in Captain Cook, floating face down near rocks. The man was pulled from the water and was pronounced dead at Kona Community Hospital about an hour later.
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A Peoria Chiropractor faces prison time for defrauding Medicare and other insurance companies out of more than one point five million dollars. Carrie Musselman was found guilty last week of five counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors say Musselman falsely claimed services were being provided by physicians when they were actually being provided by nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants. This resulted in an automatic pay increase for Musselman and her practice. She will be sentenced in June.
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A teen is receiving 40 years in prison for killing his teenage girlfriend in Lee County last year. Eighteen-year-old David Sosa was sentenced yesterday after pleading guilty to strangling his 16-year-old girlfriend, Jaedyn Hill, to death in their Ashton apartment last October. The victim’s body was discovered after Sosa walked into the lobby of the Rochelle Police Department and said he was involved in a homicide at the apartment. Both Sosa and Hill lived at the apartment and were in a dating relationship and had an eight-month-old daughter.
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The University of Illinois Police Department is investigating a possible sexual assault at a frat house. Authorities say the incident happened last Thursday. Officials initially reported that a student had been fondled. But, they now consider the incident to be an act of rape. There is no word of any arrests.
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Mark Krebsbach, 37, was booked into the La Salle County Jail on Friday, facing multiple felony charges, including two counts of dealing meth, one count of dealing cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance. Prosecutors have filed a motion to deny his pretrial release, citing court records that indicate the alleged drug sales took place in October and November of last year.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-23 & N 40th RD (Freedom TWP). Sidney Holland (44) of Dekalb was cited for speeding 79 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and was released from the scene.
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Jordyn E. West, 31, of Peru, IL, was arrested at 1:05 a.m. following a battery incident reported at 1201 4th St. Authorities took West into custody at her residence on 1203 4th St. and issued a non-traffic citation for battery. She was later released with a court date in Ottawa.
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Emily J. Znaniecki, 31, of Peru, IL, was arrested at 9:50 p.m. near the intersection of 12th Street and Peru Street. During a routine traffic stop, officers discovered she was driving with a suspended license and an expired registration sticker. Znaniecki was issued a written warning for a non-functioning license plate light, along with citations for driving with a suspended license and expired registration. She was released with a court date in Ottawa.
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Peru police arrested 48-year-old Jadon D. Langston at his residence on 1401 Bluff Street, Apartment 1, in connection with a domestic battery incident. Following an investigation, Langston was formally charged with domestic battery.
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Phillip M. Sills, a 27-year-old male from Peru, IL, was arrested at 8:43 p.m. at his residence on the 2100 block of 4th Street. The arrest followed an investigation into a reported domestic battery incident that occurred on February 21, 2025. After completing their inquiry, officers took Sills into custody and transported him to the LaSalle County Jail, where he faces charges of domestic battery.
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Drake T. Brown, 19, of Peru, IL, was stopped by authorities at the intersection of 11th Street and Walnut Street. During the stop, officers determined that Brown was operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. He was cited for the offense and released at the scene with a mandatory court date.
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Ottawa Police arrested a homeless Ottawa man Monday in the 2100 block of Caton Road. 25-year-old Jeremiah D. Johnson was charged with battery.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 53. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tuesday Night
Scattered showers after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low of around 36. Light and variable wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%.
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OBITUARIES:
Margaret Ann (Stoudt) Donnelly, 93 of Ottawa passed away Monday, February 17th, peacefully at her home. Private Family service will be held, at a later date, with Ottawa Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.
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Roshell Bernice Bottoms, 87, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21st, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery at a later date.
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Jeffery “Jeff” Allen Kiper, 67, of Marseilles, passed away on February 22nd, with his loving wife, Mary, at his side, at OSF St. Elizabeth. Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, February 26th, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
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Leona J. DeBernardi, 96, known to friends as “Lee”, entered into eternal rest on February 5th, in Phoenix, Arizona. A visitation is planned at the Ottawa Funeral Home 1111 LaSalle Street on Saturday, March 1st from 10:00 am until 10:30 am. A memorial mass will follow at St. Patrick’s Church 726 W Jefferson St Ottawa, IL at 11:00 am. Friends and family who attend are invited to Annie’s Hideaway at noon for food and fellowship.
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Richard Eugene Tuntland, age 75, of Norway, passed away at his home on February 21st. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at Mueller Funeral Home on Saturday, March 1st with visitation from 9 am to 11 am and a service at 11 am. Burial will follow at Norway Cemetery, with full military rights conducted by the Sheridan American Legion.
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Joyce Ailene Timmons, 91, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, February 23rd, at Pleasant View. Private Funeral services will be held at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will take place at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join WCMY tonight as we bring you Class 3A Sectional Basketball, live from Kingman Gym. As your Ottawa Lady Pirates take on the Morton Lady Potters at 7:30 p.m. Andrew Evola will be on the call for the game.
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Girls basketball tonight
Seneca Fighting Lady Irish vs Bishop-McNamara Fightin’ Lady Irish 7:30 pm
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Boys basketball
Marquette 63, Dwight 33: at Bader Gymnasium.
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Serena 46, Earlville 30: Red Raiders to advance to Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. semifinal against Newark at Marquette.
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Newark 64, Gardner-South Wilmington 28: Wednesday’s 7:30 p.m. semifinals against Serena at Marquette.
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Woodland 64, Flanagan-Cornell 40: the Warriors will play Wednesday at 6 p.m. for the regional semifinal against host LeRoy.
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Mendota 50, Aurora Central Catholic 29: Class 2A Princeton Regional quarterfinal in Mendota.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox surrendered nine runs in the top of the first during an 11-3 Spring Training loss to the Texas Rangers at Camelback Ranch. Shane Smith was charged with the loss after giving up four runs in one-and-two-thirds innings. The Southsiders dropped to 0-and-3 in exhibition play. They send Davis Martin to the mound against the Rockies today. And tomorrow during the morning meeting, Jay welcomes White Sox Play-by-Play announcer Len Kasper live from Camelback Ranch in Phoenix Arizona to the show at around 7:30 am.
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The Chicago Cubs earned a 10-5 Spring Training win over the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex yesterday. Chicago scored five runs in the sixth inning of the victory. Michael Busch had a home run and three RBI, while Matthew Boyd tossed a pair of scoreless innings. The Northsiders improved to 5-and-0 in exhibition play. Chicago sends Jameson Taillon to the mound against the Diamondbacks today.
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The Bulls snapped a lengthy losing streak after embarrassing the 76ers 142-110 from Wells Fargo Center. Josh Giddey led all scorers with 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds for a double-double. Kevin Huerter sunk 23 and went 7-of-11 from three-point range while Zach Collins netted 19 points. Chicago pumped the brakes on a six-game skid and improved to 23-and-35. The Bulls host the Clippers tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Blackhawks aim to avoid their fourth straight loss when they visit the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center tonight. The Blackhawks just lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 at home on Sunday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 41 points and a 17-33-and-7 record. Tonight’s game starts at 8:00 PM.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Illinois Fighting Illini will try to snap a three-game losing streak when they host Iowa at State Farm Center tonight. The Illini are coming off a crushing 110-67 loss to number-two Duke on Saturday. Illinois is tied for seventh place in the Big Ten with a 9-and-8 conference record and a 17-and-11 mark overall. Tonight’s game tips off at 8:00 PM.
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The Northwestern Wildcats look to get on a winning streak when they visit the Minnesota Gophers at Williams Arena tonight. The Wildcats just crushed Ohio State 70-49 last Thursday. Northwestern is in 16th place in the Big Ten with a 5-and-11 conference record and a 14-and-13 mark overall. Tonight’s game starts at 6:00 PM.
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In other college hoops action tonight, Illinois State is at Southern Illinois, and Northern Illinois visits Miami Ohio. Tomorrow, Notre Dame returns to action with a game against number 14 Clemson.