The investigation into the murder of 37-year-old Jessica Balma in Streator is ongoing, with suspect Joshua Casey, 38, charged with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death. La Salle County State’s Attorney Joe Navarro announced that evidence from the crime scene has been sent for analysis, and additional charges are possible. Casey, currently held in jail, admitted responsibility for the death, but the motive has not been revealed. Navarro also noted that the home where Balma was found was not a full-time residence but a party pad.
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A Streator man faces a mandatory prison sentence after a loaded firearm and cocaine were found during a Sunday traffic stop near Lostant. William Phillips, 27, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and unlawful possession of a controlled substance—both Class 4 felonies carrying up to three years in prison. Authorities allege he had a loaded, uncased gun without a valid FOID or concealed carry permit, an offense that bars probation. Though initially arrested on more serious charges, including armed violence, those were not filed. Phillips was released on conditions and returns to court on March 27th.
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On Monday afternoon in Peru, a flatbed truck hauling claw-like excavating buckets struck an overpass on northbound Route 251, just north of Route 6, around 1:45 p.m. While no injuries were reported, the collision blocked one lane of traffic, and the Illinois Department of Transportation was called in to inspect the bridge. A few hours later, Peru police and firefighters responded to another incident, this time involving a vehicle that crashed into a house at Market and Church Streets. Fortunately, no one was injured in that crash either.
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The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a phone scam where a caller, claiming to be an FBI agent, told a resident they had missed jury duty and faced an arrest warrant. The scammer demanded $3,500 to cancel the warrant and offered to take payment by credit card. When the resident said they would contact law enforcement, the call was disconnected. Shortly after, they received a text from 863-789-0033 with a fake arrest warrant. This is a scam—missed jury duty notifications come by mail or through a deputy, never by phone. Please talk to elderly family and friends about these scams and remind them not to share personal or financial information over the phone.
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The heads of two state agencies are stepping down. Governor Pritzker announced that Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau and Department of Innovation and Technology Secretary Sanjay Gupta will depart this month. Alicia Tate-Nadeau was appointed by Pritzker in 2019, while Gupta was appointed in 2023.
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Northwestern University food service and hospitality workers are on strike. Their contract expired last August. UNITE HERE Local 1 is seeking a deal with job security, wages, and increased pension contributions. Union officials say workers authorized a strike by an overwhelming majority on February 27. The hundreds of Compass employees include cooks, cashiers, dishwashers, and catering workers.
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The McLean County Coroner is identifying the man killed in a Bloomington crash over the weekend. Scott Smith died after the vehicle he was driving collided with another Saturday morning at the intersection of Wylie Drive and West Market Street. The other driver was sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The crash is under investigation.
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Police are investigating after a vehicle was stolen from a car dealership in Fairbury. Authorities say four suspects arrived at Petersen Chevrolet on West Oak Street early Friday in a Camaro, that was believed to be stolen. The suspects gained entry by breaking a small window on the front of the building and then drove the stolen vehicle through the showroom door. They took off with two stolen Camaros. A similar incident happened a few weeks back in Mendota.
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Police in Peru arrested 26-year-old Nicholas Panicuccia violent offender from Oglesby on Friday morning on charges of domestic battery and aggravated domestic battery. According to the arrest report, the incidents occurred within the city of Peru, with court records indicating the aggravated charge allegedly involved strangulation. Panicucci remains in custody at the La Salle County Jail and was denied pretrial release during a court appearance on Monday.
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Peru Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of 4th Street and Pike Street in Peru, Illinois. During the stop, Samuel F. Coon, a 30-year-old male from LaSalle, Illinois, was arrested and charged with Driving While License Suspended (DWLS), Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, and Failure to Wear a Seatbelt as a Driver. Also arrested was Alexander H. Smith, a 26-year-old male from Spring Valley, Illinois, who was cited for Failure to Wear a Seatbelt as a Passenger. Both individuals were released from the scene with Notices to Appear (NTAs).
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Maria Fuentes, a 45-year-old female from Cedar Point, Illinois, was arrested following a traffic stop at the intersection of N 2551st Road and IL Route 251 in Peru, Illinois. Fuentes was cited for speeding 35 miles per hour or more over the posted limit and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. She was released at the scene with a court date scheduled in
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Gentian Imeri, a 20-year-old male from 1810 Sycamore Street, Peru, Illinois, was arrested following a traffic stop at the intersection of 4th Street and Farm Street, near US Route 6 in Peru, Illinois. Imeri was cited for speeding 35 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
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Peru Police officers conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Shooting Park Road and Luther Drive in Peru. During the stop, Henry Alvarez, a 63-year-old male from LaSalle, Illinois, was arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. Alvarez, who resides at 1239 2nd Street, was taken into custody without incident.
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Shayla L. Bell, a 24-year-old female from LaSalle, Illinois, was arrested near the intersection of May Road and IL Route 251 in Peru, Illinois. Bell was cited for driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. She was later released on a notice to appear.
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Jose E. Orozco, a 25-year-old male from LaSalle, Illinois, was arrested at the intersection of 7th Street and St. Louis Street in Peru, Illinois. Orozco, who resides at 1362 Argyle Road, was charged with driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. He was issued a traffic citation for driving while his license was suspended and was released on a mandatory notice to appear.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming east-northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low of around 33. East-northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
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:
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox pounded out 12 hits during a 10-3 Spring Training win over the Athletics at Hohokam Stadium. Martin Perez earned his first win of the Spring after allowing just one run on three hits in three innings. Kyle Teel went three-for-five with a double, a home run, and three RBI in the victory. The Southsiders improved to 5-and-11 in exhibition play. Jonathan Cannon starts for Chicago against San Diego this afternoon.
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The Chicago Cubs overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Cleveland Guardians 7-4 in a Spring Training game at Goodyear Ballpark. The Cubs gave up four runs in the bottom of the second before storming back. Darius Hill homered in the victory, while Jordan Wicks picked up the win in relief. Shota Imanaga surrendered four runs on four hits in four-and-a-third innings in a no-decision. The Northsiders are 11-and-4 in exhibition play. Justin Steele starts for Chicago against Milwaukee today.
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The Bulls earned their third win in a row after blowing out the Pacers 121-103 at United Center. Coby White and Josh Giddey tied the lead in scoring after each posted 29 points. Giddey also recorded a double-double with ten rebounds. Nikola Vucevic had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Chicago is now 27-and-38. The Bulls host the Nets on Thursday.
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The Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t get the puck past Scott Wedgewood during a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. The game was tied through two periods before the Avs poured in three goals in the third. Spencer Knight stopped 18 shots in the losing effort. The Hawks have dropped three of four and remain in last place in the Central Division with 49 points and a 20-36-and-9 record. Chicago is in San Jose on Thursday.
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The Bears continue to revamp their offensive line. The team agreed to sign free-agent center Drew Dalman. ESPN reports that the deal for the former Falcon is for three years, worth 42 million dollars. Dalman was rated as the top free-agent center on the market. He allowed only two sacks on 295 pass-blocking snaps for Atlanta last season.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish open up ACC Tournament play with a game against Pitt at Spectrum Center this afternoon. Notre Dame went 8-and-12 in conference play, and they beat Pitt 76-72 on February 22nd. Today’s contest gets underway at 1:00 PM Central time.
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In Big Ten tournament action this week, Northwestern takes on Minnesota tomorrow, and number-25 Illinois goes up against either Ohio State or Iowa on Thursday night.
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Womans Softball
IVCC Lady Eagles vs. Cuyahoga Community College @ The Spring Games, Clermont, FL – 10 am
IVCC vs. New College-JV @ The Spring Games, Clermont, Florida 12:15 pm