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WCMY News for 2/28/25:

By WCMY News Feb 28, 2025 | 7:25 AM

Nicolaus Phillips, accused of killing 42-year-old Eric Clements outside his Ottawa home, wants a judge to suppress a statement he made to police. The 25-year-old from Spring Valley faces a first-degree murder charge and a possible 85-year sentence if convicted. His motion will be heard in La Salle County Circuit Court on March 1st. Phillips was initially questioned after his June 2023 arrest but denied involvement. A week later, La Salle Police Detective Brian Camenisch visited him in jail to discuss a separate drug case, reading him his Miranda rights only for that matter. Midway through the interview, the focus shifted to the Clements shooting, where Phillips “grew emotional” and made incriminating statements. His attorney argues the statement should be thrown out because Phillips was never re-mirandized, not asked if he had legal counsel for the homicide, and denied breaks or food during the custodial interview. Prosecutors have yet to respond.

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45-year-old Joseph Pawelczyk of Streator was found guilty of reckless discharge of a firearm by Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan, Jr. during a hearing Thursday in LaSalle County Circuit Court. The judge ruled that the loud pop at Hi-Tide Campground near Leland wasn’t a firecracker, as Pawelczyk had claimed, but a gunshot. Witnesses had testified during the trial that Pawelczyk, who wandered over from a neighboring campsite, suddenly pulled out a revolver and fired into the fire pit on June 22nd. However, accounts varied on the weapon’s details. Pawelczyk claimed the noise came from a firecracker, not a gun, insisting he had locked his .22 Magnum revolver in his truck earlier that day. However, prosecutors argued multiple witnesses saw a gun fired, and Pawelczyk was found with five rounds in his pocket. Sentencing is set for Monday, May 12th.

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Three educators from LaSalle County, and one from Bureau County, have been recognized with prestigious statewide awards for their dedication to students and the education community. Sarah Henkel of Mendota Elementary School District 289 and Michelle Lee, Superintendent of Ottawa Elementary School District 141, each received the Award of Excellence from the State Board of Education for their commitment to equity and student success. Linda Downey, an educator with Ohio Consolidated School District 17, earned the Meritorious Service Award for her leadership and ability to foster a strong culture of learning. Meanwhile, Martin Czernicki of Ottawa Elementary 141 was honored with the Award of Special Recognition, celebrating his valued contributions as an educator whose skills and passion have made a lasting impact on his students, colleagues, and the broader community.

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IDNR says fishing licenses for the 2025 season will go on sale starting March 1st. The proceeds from these licenses will fund important programs such as fisheries management, hatcheries, habitat restoration, and invasive species control—initiatives not covered by state tax dollars. Additionally, contributions from anglers help secure federal funding through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which distributes excise tax revenue from fishing gear and motorboat fuel. Licenses will be available online and at licensed vendors. The 2025 licenses will ensure the sustainability of Illinois’ aquatic resources, while the 2024 permits will remain valid until March 31.

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A former Navy sailor faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to plotting to attack Naval Station Great Lakes in North Chicago. Xuanyu Harry Pang entered a guilty plea in November. Court records say in 2021, Pang communicated with someone in Colombia about potentially assisting with a plan to conduct an attack against the United States to avenge the death of a general of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. An undercover FBI employee then communicated with Pang and the person Columbia about possible targets for the attack, including the Naval Station Great Lakes. Both agreed to help the FBI employee conduct the attack in the US.

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A New York woman and her boyfriend are accused of planning to murder the woman’s father in Springfield, Illinois. Police say officers arrested Emily Getman and Dyman Romer last Friday for conspiracy to commit murder. Their arrests come after the Springfield Police Department was informed that the two had traveled from New York to Illinois in order to kill Getman’s father. Springfield Police stopped their vehicle and found a 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, and multiple knives inside. Getman was taken to the hospital.

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A Stillman Valley man is charged in a child pornography case. Authorities say deputies and members of the FBI raided a home in rural Stillman Valley on Wednesday. Joseph Dreesen was arrested on charges of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child. Federal charges are pending, against Dreesen, who was booked into the Ogle County Jail.

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WEATHER:

WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 AM TO 2 PM.

Southwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 50 mph expected.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. Windy, with a southwest wind of 15 to 20 mph becoming west 25 to 30 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

Friday Night

A slight chance of sprinkles between 7 pm and 8 pm. Partly cloudy, with a low of around 25. Blustery, with a north-northwest wind of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

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OBITUARIES:

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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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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Kimberly Collins, 72, of Ottawa, formerly of Westmont, passed away Tuesday, February 25th, at her home. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.

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Betty Haage, 96, of Ottawa, passed away Thursday, February 27th, at LaSalle County Nursing Home. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 4, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held at noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.

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LOCAL SPORTS:

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PRO SPORTS:

The Chicago White Sox picked up their first Spring Training win with a 4-2 victory over Cleveland at Camelback Ranch. Martin Perez tossed a pair of scoreless innings in the victory, while Lenyn Sosa drove in two runs. Andrew Benintendi exited the game after being hit on the hand by a pitch. He will miss four weeks with a fracture and is expected to begin the regular season on the injured list. The Southsiders are 1-and-5 in exhibition play. Jonathan Cannon starts for Chicago against the Angels this afternoon.

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The Chicago Cubs won’t have their Gold Glove second baseman when they open the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers next month. Nico Hoerner will stay in America to rehab an injury when the Northsiders travel to Japan for the Tokyo Series on March 18th. Hoerner had surgery on his right arm in October. In other team news, the Cubs played to a 4-4 draw with the Angels yesterday. Justin Steele starts for Chicago against Texas today.

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The Chicago Blackhawks surrendered five goals in the first period of a 7-5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. The Blackhawks stormed back to get within a goal in the middle of the third period, but Vegas scored with under five minutes left in regulation to put the game away. Nick Foligno, Colton Dach, Ethan Del Mastro, Ilya Mikheyev, and Philipp Kurashev all scored in the losing effort. The Hawks remain in last place in the Central Division with 41 points and a 17-35-and-7 record. Chicago visits Anaheim tomorrow.

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The Chicago Bulls are back in action tonight. Chicago hosts Toronto at the United Center. The Bulls are coming off a 122-117 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at home on Wednesday. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 23-and-36. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.

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Former Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus isn’t making an impression with his coaching style. Eberflus ranked dead last among head coaches in the NFL Players Association annual survey. He was fired midseason in 2024 before the Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach.

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COLLEGE SPORTS:

The Illinois Fighting Illini go for the upset when they visit number 13 Michigan at Crisler Center on Sunday. Illinois just crushed Iowa 81-61 at home on Tuesday evening. The Illini are in seventh place in the Big Ten with a 10-and-8 conference record and an 18-and-11 mark overall. Sunday’s game begins at 2:45 PM.

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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish look to get back in the win column when they visit Wake Forest at LJVM Coliseum tomorrow night. The Irish are coming off an 83-68 road loss to number 14 Clemson on Wednesday night. Notre Dame is tied for 13th place in the ACC with a 6-and-11 conference record and a 12-and-16 mark overall. Tomorrow’s contest tips off at 4:15 PM Central time.

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The Northwestern Wildcats go for their third win in a row when they host Iowa at Welsh-Ryan Arena tonight. The Wildcats just beat the Minnesota Gophers 75-63 on the road on Tuesday. Northwestern is tied for 13th place in the Big Ten with a 6-and-11 conference record and a 15-and-13 mark overall. Tonight’s game tips off at 8:00 PM.

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In college hoops action yesterday, Chicago State was crushed by Mercyhurst 90-68. Tomorrow, Loyola visits Saint Louis, and Chicago State is at Saint Francis. On Sunday, Bradley hosts Northern Iowa, UIC welcomes Valparaiso, and Illinois State is at home against Evansville.  

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