The Ottawa City Council approved the minor subdivision of the La Salle County Farm Bureau property off Route 23, allowing the property to be split into two lots. This enables the sale of the larger building while the Farm Bureau retains the smaller office. The council approved the subdivision without discussion, as no variances were required.
The Ottawa City Council also approved the final plat for Amazon’s new 50,800-square-foot last-mile delivery facility at the Industrial Park, consolidating five parcels into one to simplify tax processes. While the facility will primarily occupy two parcels, one lot will remain undeveloped until Amazon decides otherwise.
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The City of Ottawa is set to develop a new sports complex, thanks to a recently awarded OSLAD grant of more than $636,000. The facility will feature soccer pitches and other field sports amenities and will serve as the home of the Ottawa Soccer Club. While the city has yet to announce the exact location, final details are still being worked out.
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The reconstruction of Iowa Avenue from Main to Johnson Streets in Streator is poised to begin this summer. The project will include a new sidewalk and has secured a total funding of $1,775,500 through an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood’s Community Project Funding Grants will contribute $750,000, along with $169,000 from IDOT. The city will cover $856,500, with $700,000 coming from motor fuel tax funds.
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State Senator Sue Rezin, a Republican from Morris, is pushing for stricter penalties against child predators with a proposed bill in Springfield that would ban plea deals for those charged with grooming, trafficking, or involuntary sexual servitude of a minor. Her legislation also seeks to expand restrictions on where convicted child sex offenders can work, volunteer, or be present, prohibiting them from places that primarily serve minors.
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Healthcare advocates, hospital officials, and Medicaid recipients warned Illinois state lawmakers Wednesday about the potential consequences of proposed federal Medicaid funding cuts. Nearly a dozen speakers addressed an Illinois House budget committee that oversees human services spending, including Medicaid, which provides public health insurance to approximately 3.4 million lower-income Illinois residents.
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The Department of Government Efficiency is expected to close around two dozen federal facilities in Illinois. The facilities are listed on the DOGE website. They include the Federal Transit Administration and Securities and Exchange Commission in Chicago, the Public Buildings Service in Springfield, the Social Security Administration in Rockford, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Rock Island, and the Food and Drug Administration in Peoria.
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A report says the Trump administration plans to cut over 70,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), shocking Chicago. The VA had announced plans to restructure the department with Elon Musk’s DOGE in August. Employees at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center are worried, with one saying she might be let go while caring for a veteran. Chicago Alderman Matt Martin learned the VA is stopping its outreach program in his North Side ward. These cuts follow the loss of thousands of probationary jobs.
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Illinois is hosting two career fairs this month targeting former federal workers. One event takes place today at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, while the other is being held March 20th at Malcolm X College in Chicago. Former federal workers and members of the public are invited to attend. Job opportunities available at the State include Engineering, Healthcare, Accounting, Auditing, Environmental Services, and Fiscal Management.
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The Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office announced that 54-year-old Ronald Lye has been sentenced to 109 years in prison after being found guilty in January of multiple child sex abuse offenses, including manufacturing and possessing child pornography as well as aggravated criminal sexual abuse. In addition to his sentence, Lye must register as a sex offender for life. While he is eligible for day-for-day time off, he is required to serve at least 50 percent of his sentence.
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Twenty-nine-year-old Rory Waldrop pleaded guilty late last week to selling illegal mushrooms to undercover agents and possessing a firearm as a felon. The drug charge, a Class X felony, carries the potential for several years in prison. According to court records, the crimes occurred in late 2023. Waldrop had previously pleaded guilty to drug possession in Grundy County last year and was sentenced to probation. He is set to be sentenced in Ottawa on April 17th.
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John H. Jolly, a 42-year-old male from Peru, was arrested on a warrant following a service call at OSF – St. Elizabeth Hospital, Peru Campus, located at 925 West St, Peru, IL 61354. Jolly, who is currently homeless, was taken into custody on a warrant arrest.
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Eugene K. Kindhart, a 56-year-old male from Peru, was arrested at the intersection of 10th St and Peoria St, Peru, IL 61354, for driving with a suspended/revoked driver’s license.
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Joshua M. Calkins, a 46-year-old male from Peru, was arrested at the intersection of 4th St. and Cross St. in Peru, IL, for driving with a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Following a traffic stop, Calkins was issued a written warning for speeding, along with two traffic citations: one for driving while his license was suspended and another for operating an uninsured vehicle. He was released with an Ottawa court date.
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Mendota Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of RT 34 and I-39. As a result of that stop the driver, Kelden R Carter, 34, of St. Louis, Missouri, was arrested for Driving While License Suspended. Carter issued a citation and was released with a mandatory March 25th, LaSalle County court date.
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WEATHER:
Friday
Rain and snow before 5 pm, then a chance of rain. High near 38. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.
Friday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain before 7 pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 26. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest after midnight.
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OBITUARIES:
Magdalene Mary (Dekreon) Anderson, 93, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday, March 4th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. today, at Mueller Funeral. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until the start of the service, at the funeral home.
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Bradley L. Guelde, 58, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, March 5th, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, surrounded by his family. Private arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Elizabeth Fast, 54, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, March 4th. A celebration of life will be planned in the future. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
None at this time
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox lost to the San Francisco Giants 7-3 in a Spring Training game at Scottsdale Stadium yesterday. Adam Hackenberg had a home run and two RBI in the losing effort, while Jonathan Cannon was charged with his second loss of the Spring after surrendering four runs on four hits in three innings. The Southsiders are 3-and-10 in Spring Training. Sox send Shane Smith to the mound against the Cubs today, and we will have a 2 pm start to the game.
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The Chicago Cubs surrendered 12 hits during a 9-3 Spring Training loss to the Kansas City Royals at Sloan Park. Ben Brown was charged with the loss after giving up three runs on four hits in three-and-two-thirds innings, while Gage Workman hit a ninth-inning home run. The Northsiders dropped to 9-and-3 in exhibition play. Cubs send Colin Rea to the mound against the White Sox today.
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Coby White had a career night as the Chicago Bulls edged the Orlando Magic 125-123 at Kia Center. White finished the game with 44 points, including a bucket that put the Bulls up for good with under 90 seconds left in regulation. Tre Jones chipped in with 20 as Chicago snapped a two-game losing streak. The Bulls are in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 25-and-38. They visit the Heat tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Blackhawks go for their third win in a row when they host the Utah Hockey Club at United Center tonight. The Blackhawks earned a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 46 points and a 19-35-and-8 record. Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 PM.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Illinois Fighting Illini wrap up their regular season with a game against number-18 Purdue at State Farm Center tonight. The Illini are coming off a 93-73 rout over number 15 Michigan on Sunday. Illinois is tied for seventh place in the Big Ten with an 11-and-8 conference record and a 19-and-11 mark overall. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Northwestern Wildcats go for the upset when they visit number-14 Maryland at Xfinity Center tomorrow’ The Wildcats just lost to UCLA 73-69 on Monday. Northwestern is tied for 11th place in the Big Ten with a 7-and-12 conference record and a 16-and-14 mark overall. Tomorrow’s game starts at 2:00 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are back in action with a game against Cal at Purcell Pavilion tomorrow. The Irish are coming off a 56-54 win over Stanford at home on Wednesday. Notre Dame is tied for 11th place in the ACC with a 7-and-12 conference record and a 13-and-17 mark overall. Tomorrow’s contest gets underway at 3:00 PM Central time.
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In the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament yesterday, Illinois State beat Missouri State 70-54, and Valparaiso took down UIC 67-50. Today, Valparaiso takes on Northern Iowa, Bradley plays Murray State, and Illinois State goes up against Belmont. In regular season action tonight, Northern Illinois visits Central Michigan. Tomorrow, DePaul hosts Georgetown, and Loyola is at UMass.