The Moline and Streator police departments have officially ended the search for two missing 15-year-old girls, Jessa Puetz and Daisy Wyatt, both from Streator. In a recent statement, Jessa’s father confirmed to the Moline and Streator police departments that the girls have been found safely and are now happily reunited with their families.
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Streator Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1100 block of E. Elm St about an unknown problem. Officers arrived to find an unresponsive 37-year-old female in the residence, who was later declared deceased on the scene. Due to the suspicious nature of the call, Illinois State Police Crime Scene was dispatched to this location to process the scene. The name of the deceased is being withheld until notification can be made to the next of kin. This is an active, ongoing investigation, with further details to be released as they become available. The Streator Police Department is assisted by the LaSalle County State’s Attorney’s Office, LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, TRI-DENT, and Illinois State Police Crime Scene.
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Oglesby is in discussions with Knobelsdorff Enterprises, Inc. (KEI), a solar energy company, regarding the Badge-A-Minit building, which involves a proposed $6.7 million investment and the creation of 150 jobs. The Oglesby City Council unanimously approved filing a redevelopment agreement with KEI, known for its expertise in industrial automation and power services, as it seeks to expand into Illinois. Under this agreement, KEI would receive 50% of the tax increment from a designated financing district to support capital improvements, committing to a minimum of 20 full-time employees by January 1, 2026, and an annual increase of 20 jobs thereafter.
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Members of the US Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force from the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mauricio Balderas (26 years old) in Mendota. Balderas was wanted out of LaSalle County for Aggravated Domestic Battery (Class 2 felony) and a violation of conditions of pre-trial release (Class A misdemeanor). Balderas had been granted pre-trial release after being charged with a previous domestic battery in December 2024. Balderas was taken to the LaSalle County Jail where he is held with no bond pending a detention hearing.
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With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and IDOT are ramping up traffic enforcement to keep roads safe. “With celebrations expected all weekend, plan ahead for a sober ride,” said Sheriff Adam Diss. Officers will target impaired driving, enforce seat belt use, and crack down on speeding and distractions. If you’re celebrating, designate a sober driver, use public transit, or arrange a safe ride. Walking impaired is also risky, so stay with a sober friend. Report impaired drivers, take keys from intoxicated friends, and always buckle up.
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Several Illinois Democratic lawmakers invited fired federal workers to President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress last night. The effort was to protest the administration’s sweeping cuts to the federal government. Congressman Brad Schneider will have Army vet Adam Mulvey as his guest. He was recently let go by the Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. Mulvey is one of close to six thousand veterans who lost their jobs last month as part of an effort by Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. Congressman Johnathan Jackson invited Doctor Sonja Feist-Price from Chicago State University. She is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
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Governor Pritzker is proposing expanding access to four-year degrees at community colleges in Illinois. The college baccalaureate degree program would allow community colleges to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees. The program is designed to make degrees more accessible while meeting the needs of employers in key sectors and keeping education costs low for students and working families.
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A state trooper is recovering following a crash over the weekend on I-57 in Kankakee County. Authorities say the trooper responded to a report of debris in the roadway Saturday on I-57 near Chebanse. The trooper parked their squad car in the right lane and removed the debris. The trooper was returning to the squad car when it was rear-ended by a Lincoln SUV. The trooper was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the SUV, Harold McComb from Mahomet, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries and cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and a Scott’s Law violation.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson is blasting the confirmation of Linda McMahon to lead the U.S. Department of Education. The mayor said he is deeply concerned about the confirmation, calling McMahon a billionaire with no education experience. He claims her only mission is to defund and privatize the public education system. McMahon is a former professional wrestling performer who left WWE in 2009 for politics.
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A teen convicted of murdering a Lyft driver in Urbana in 2022 is receiving a long prison sentence. Tyjohn Williams was sentenced yesterday to 55 years behind bars. Williams was 16 years old when he was charged with four adult counts of first-degree murder in the killing of Kristian Philpotts. Prosecutors say Williams shot and killed Philpotts after he picked him and two other teenagers up in January 2022. The victim’s car then crashed and the teens fled.
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A search is underway for a man wanted in a stabbing in Peoria. Police say a man was found stabbed Sunday night in the 600 block of South Western Avenue. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Investigators identified Roderick Franklin as the suspect. No arrests have been made.
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Mendota Police Department arrested Kristine A. Burton, 60, 508 11th Ave. Mendota, IL in regards to a LaSalle County Failure to Appear Warrant for Driving While License Suspended. Burton was processed and transported to the LaSalle County Jail to see a judge.
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WEATHER:
THE WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT
Wednesday
Rain before 5 pm, then snow. Temperature rising to near 49 by 9 am, then falling to around 35 during the remainder of the day. Breezy, with a south wind of 5 to 10 mph becoming north-northwest at 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.
Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of snow before 9 pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 26. Blustery, with a northwest wind of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
None at this time
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LOCAL SPORTS:
The Illinois High School Association proudly announces the 26 members of the 2025 IHSA All-State Academic Team, honoring their excellence in academics, athletics, and community service. Honorees will be celebrated at a banquet in Bloomington on April 13th. Schools nominated students based on a 3.50+ GPA, participation in at least two IHSA activities, and outstanding citizenship. A selection committee chose one male and one female per IHSA division, with 12 at-large spots statewide. Seth Cooper of Ottawa Township High School earned Honorable Mention.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox play a pair of split-squad Spring Training games today. Martin Perez takes the mound for Chicago against Milwaukee at Camelback Ranch at 2:05 PM. Bryse Wilson goes for the Sox against the Brewers at American Family Field of Phoenix at 2:10 PM.
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The Chicago Cubs rattled off 18 hits during a 16-1 Spring Training win over the San Diego Padres at Sloan Park. Greg Allen paced Chicago at the plate with two hits and three RBI, while Ben Cowles and James Triantos each drove in a pair of runs. Shota Imanaga picked up the win after tossing four scoreless innings. The Northsiders improved to 9-and-2 in exhibition play. Chicago is back in action against Kansas City tomorrow.
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The Chicago Bulls fell apart in the fourth quarter of a 139-117 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at United Center. The Bulls trailed by just two entering the final frame before getting outscored 43-23 the rest of the way. Coby White poured in 25 points in the losing effort, while Talen Horton-Tucker finished with 22 off the bench. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference with a 24-and-38 record. The Bulls visit Orlando tomorrow.
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The Chicago Blackhawks go for their third win in a row when they host the Ottawa Senators at United Center tonight. The Blackhawks are coming off a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 45 points and a 19-35-and-7 record. Tonight’s game begins at 6:30 PM.
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The Chicago Bears are bolstering their offensive line. ESPN is reporting that the Bears traded for Rams guard Jonah Jackson yesterday. Chicago sent a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft back to Los Angeles to complete the deal. The 28-year-old Jackson spent one season in L.A. after signing a three-year, 51-million-dollar contract with the team last March. The one-time Pro Bowler has started 61 games over five NFL seasons. The trade cannot be processed until the start of the new league year on March 12th.
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The Zac Brown Band will be headlining the NASCAR Chicago Street Race this summer. The multi-platinum, multi-Grammy Award-winning Southern rock band will perform on July 5th at the new Busch Light Summer Series Stage. The stage will be set up next to the start and finish line in Grant Park. The third NASCAR Chicago Street Race takes place July 5th and 6th.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish aim to avoid a third straight loss when they host Stanford at Purcell Pavilion tonight. The Irish just lost to Wake Forest 74-71 on Saturday. Notre Dame is tied for 13th place in the ACC with a 6-and-12 conference record and a 12-and-17 mark overall. Tonight’s game tips off at 8:00 PM Central time.
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In college hoops action yesterday, Northern Illinois lost to Bowling Green 71-58. Today, DePaul visits Providence, Loyola hosts Davidson, and Chicago State has a Northeast Conference Tournament game against Long Island. Meanwhile, Illinois welcomes number 18 Purdue on Friday, while Northwestern is at number 14 Maryland on Saturday.