Students attending high schools such as L-P, Hall, Mendota, Princeton, and Putnam County will have a day off today in observance of Casimir Pulaski Day, a recognized holiday in Illinois. Some schools, like St. Bede Academy, Ottawa High School, and Streator High School, are holding classes as usual since observing the holiday is optional for all Illinois school districts.
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Mendota Police Department was dispatched to 1501 S 13th Ave Mendota IL. for an activated alarm, upon arrival Officers located several broken windows on the building which led to the showroom and office area. As a result of the initial investigation, it was found two vehicles, a 2025 Chevrolet Corvette and a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro, were stolen from the property. The Corvette was taken from the showroom and the Camaro from outside. The Chicago Police Department located the 2025 Chevrolet Corvette in their jurisdiction. The Corvette was towed and secured for evidence processing. This incident is still under investigation by the Mendota Police Department and the Illinois State Police.
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La Salle County prosecutors are reviewing social media posts by a rural La Salle man that police classified as terroristic threats against minorities in La Salle-Peru. On Feb. 26, La Salle police received reports of multiple threats targeting illegal immigrants from a Facebook profile named “Floyd H-ball,” with Peru police receiving similar reports on Feb. 25th and 26th. A joint investigation by La Salle and Peru police identified the individual behind the profile, leading to a search warrant executed at The Sandman Motel on Route 251. A 30-year-old rural La Salle man was arrested, interviewed, and later released, with charges pending review by the State’s Attorney’s Office.
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Illinois Valley Public Action to Deliver Shelter (IV PADS) has secured funding to build a new homeless shelter in Ottawa, with construction potentially starting this fall. The city received a $2 million grant through the Community Development Block Grant – CARES Act Rural Shelter Grant Program, covering half of the $4 million project, with IV PADS funding the rest. The new facility at 1120 Canal St. will double its capacity to 100 beds, improving accessibility and services. Rising demand underscores the need, with 562 individuals served last season and 463— including 42 families and 98 children—seeking help since August. The shelter has provided over 72,000 meals, secured housing for 105 individuals, and helped 109 find jobs.
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Another round of contract negotiations took place Thursday in Streator, where members of the Streator Education Association met with the school board bargaining team, continuing discussions that have been ongoing since last year with the assistance of a mediator, but once again went nowhere. Before the bargaining session, Streator’s elementary teachers staged an informational picket, demonstrating their resolve as they had already voted in favor of strike authorization if necessary.
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Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is expanding hours at 12 DMV facilities on Saturday starting tomorrow to handle the demand for the Real ID. He also unveiled a new Get a Real ID portal on the Secretary of State website. The portal will allow residents to determine if they need one before the May 7th deadline. A Real ID will be required to get on domestic flights, the other option is using a passport.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-18 & IL RT-251 (Hope TWP). Eduard Camacho Vargas (44) of Palatine was cited for no valid Driver’s License and was released with an NTA. Eduard was transported to LACO Jail and subsequently released with an NTA.
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Sixty-year-old William Naffziger of Princeton was jailed Wednesday on a warrant for missing a recent court date related to six felony theft charges. Bureau County State’s Attorney Dan Anderson alleges that Naffziger stole over a million dollars from clients over multiple years while running his Walnut-based farm management business, NBI Services, LLC. Due to the large sum involved, one of the charges is a Class X felony, which alone could carry a prison sentence of several decades if convicted. Naffziger is the sole individual charged in the case.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-23 & N 23rd RD (Farm Ridge TWP). Mario Villasenor (20) of Streator was cited for speeding 84 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, failing to carry/display a license, and was released from the scene with an NTA.
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WEATHER:
Monday
A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 8 am, then a slight chance of rain showers between 8 am and noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 42. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Sandra (Sondra) Trager, 86, of Marseilles, passed away Wednesday, February 26th, at her home, with her loving family by her side. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm TODAY, at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, March 4th, at 11:00 am, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Marseilles, and a luncheon will be held at the Marseilles Lions Club after the burial.
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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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Margaret “Margy” Chambliss, 91, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, February 27th, at her home, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 4th, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa before the Mass. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls Wrestling:
Juliana Thrush (35-7) won both of her matches in the 235-pound category on Friday, but unfortunately lost three consecutive matches on Saturday. Despite the setbacks, she still managed to secure her second consecutive sixth-place medal.
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Girls track and field:
The Ottawa Lady Pirates girl’s track and field team placed fourth out of five teams at their season-opening indoor meet held at Sycamore on Thursday.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox gave up four runs in the bottom of the seventh during a 6-3 Spring Training loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. James Karinchak was charged with his first loss in relief. Nick Maton had a home run and two RBI during the loss. The Southsiders slipped to 2-and-7 in exhibition play. Sean Burke starts for Chicago against the A’s today.
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The Chicago Cubs surrendered 12 hits during a 7-3 Spring Training loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Sloan Park. Matthew Boyd was charged with his first loss of the Spring after allowing three runs on four hits in two-and-a-third innings. Ian Happ and Greg Allen each doubled in the losing effort. The Northsiders dropped to 8-and-1 in exhibition play. Caleb Kilian starts for the Cubs against Arizona today.
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The Bulls had a rough second half during a 127-112 loss to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Bulls led at halftime before getting outscored 61-45 the rest of the way. Coby White led Chicago with 26 points. The Bulls are in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 24-and-37. They host the Cavaliers tomorrow. In other team news, guard Ayo Dosunmu will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
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The Blackhawks scored three goals in the third period during a 6-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on Saturday. The Blackhawks took the lead for good when Patrick Maroon scored in the middle of the second period. Ryan Donato added two insurance goals in the third, while Lukas Reichel, Wyatt Kaiser, and Teuvo Teravainen also lit the lamp in the victory. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 43 points and an 18-35-and-7 record. The Hawks host the Kings tonight. In other team news, the Blackhawks traded defenseman Seth Jones to the Florida Panthers over the weekend. Chicago received a 2026 conditional first-round draft pick and goaltender Spencer Knight to complete the deal.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Illinois Fighting Illini pulled off a 93-73 upset victory over the number-13 Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. The Illini led by one at halftime before dominating the second half with a 62-43 run. Tre White led the Illini with 19 points, while Kylan Boswell and Kasparas Jakucionis each finished with 17. Illinois is in seventh place in the Big Ten with an 11-and-8 conference record and a 19-and-11 mark overall. The Illini host number-19 Purdue on Friday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak following a 68-57 win over the Iowa Hawkeye at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Friday. The Wildcats only led by four at halftime, but they never relinquished the lead in the second half. KJ Windham had 20 points off the bench, while Nick Martinelli finished with 16. Northwestern is tied for 11th place in the Big Ten with a 7-and-11 conference record and a 16-and-13 mark overall. The Wildcats host UCLA tonight.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish couldn’t connect on a late clutch shot during a 74-71 loss to Wake Forest at LJVM Coliseum on Saturday. Tae Davis missed a game-tying three as time expired. Davis finished with 15 points in the losing effort, while Markus Burton poured in 29 points. Notre Dame is tied for 13th place in the ACC with a 6-and-12 conference record and a 12-and-17 mark overall. The Irish host Stanford on Wednesday.
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In college hoops action on Saturday, Loyola was crushed by Saint Louis 98-67, Chicago State lost to Saint Francis 80-71, and Northern Illinois was edged by Western Michigan 74-70. Yesterday, Bradley beat Northern Iowa 73-56, UIC took down Valparaiso 77-73, and Illinois State earned a 62-53 win over Evansville.