The LaSalle County Highway Department says North 22nd Road will be closed for bridge repairs beginning next Monday, March 17th. The bridge is a half-mile south of Cedar Point and four-tenths of a mile west of County Highway 54, also known as East 2nd Road. The work is expected to take 1 month to complete, weather permitting. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes around the construction site.
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Construction begins next week on I-80 in Henry County. Crews will start working on nearly six miles of I-80 beginning March 17th. The work zone is from the Rock River to the south of U.S. 6. Work includes removing and replacing the bridge decks on multiple structures. IDOT recommends using I-280/I-74 as an alternate route.
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A new trial date has been set for 33-year-old Matthew Pairadee of Ohio, who faces first-degree murder charges in connection with the fatal 2022 shooting of 69-year-old Jerome Lauer, also of Ohio. Judge H. Chris Ryan, assigned to the case, scheduled Pairadee’s jury trial for May 27th in Princeton. Authorities say the deadly incident stemmed from a child custody dispute involving Lauer’s 10-month-old granddaughter, whom Pairadee allegedly took before the shooting. Pairadee is accused of confessing to the killing, which triggered an overnight police standoff. He remains in the Bureau County Jail as the court continues to evaluate his mental fitness to stand trial, contributing to delays in resolving the case.
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24-year-old Bryanna Stash was sentenced in LaSalle County Circuit Court Friday to four years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted robbery. As part of her plea agreement, additional charges of cocaine dealing and theft were dismissed. Stash was arrested in early November after police responded to reports of shots fired near Everett and Main Streets in Streator. Upon her release from prison, she will serve six months of probation. Her co-defendant, 34-year-old Derek Dill Jr. of Streator, remains in custody as his case continues in La Salle County.
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Democratic majority lawmakers are advancing a bill through the Illinois legislature that would expand access to Alzheimer’s treatment in Illinois. The measure passed out of the House Insurance Committee yesterday. The bill would require anyone’s health insurance plan in the state to cover medically necessary FDA-approved treatments and medications to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The legislation now moves to the House floor.
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The Illinois Senate is confirming the appointment of Morgan Winters as the Director of Get Covered Illinois. Get Covered is the official Health Insurance Marketplace for Illinois consumers to purchase affordable health coverage. Winters most recently served as the Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer for Minnesota’s Health Insurance Marketplace. Get Covered Illinois is transitioning to become a fully independent State-Based Marketplace by next year.
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Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is co-sponsoring legislation in an effort to help veterans who have been fired from their federal government jobs in recent weeks. The combat Veteran Democrat from Hoffman Estates joined New Jersey Democrat Senator Andy Kim in introducing the Protect Veteran Jobs Act. The legislation would reinstate Veterans who were fired from their jobs as part of the recent cuts of federal employees. Duckworth says she and Kim estimate the cuts have already impacted more than six thousand veterans.
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Illinois Wesleyan University is being warned about protecting Jewish students on campus. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent a letter to 60 institutions of higher education, including Illinois Wesleyan, saying that if they don’t fulfill their obligations of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students, they face federal funding cuts. Protections include uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities. Northwestern also received a letter.
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The Illinois State Police is hosting its first-ever all-women recruitment event next week. The event is designed to encourage women to explore the many career paths available as sworn police officers and civilian employees. The public is invited to attend the event on March 18th at the ISP Academy in Springfield. The ISP will share employment information and provide opportunities to meet professionals in various law enforcement specialties.
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The City of Sterling is donating two out-of-service squad cars to Ukraine. The City Council approved the donation for Ukraine, which needs vehicles for its emergency response teams. Sterling previously donated an out-of-service fire truck to the cause.
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A La Salle County grand jury returned multiple indictments Tuesday, including four counts of cocaine dealing against 24-year-old Mariano Verucchi of Peru, who was arrested last month. Also indicted was 36-year-old Joshua Meagher of La Salle on charges of aggravated battery, resisting an officer, and threatening a public official after allegedly fighting with and threatening an officer late last month. In a separate case, 26-year-old Mauricio Balderas of Mendota was indicted for aggravated domestic battery following his arrest earlier this month. Additional indictments include 40-year-old Sarah Akins of Seneca for aggravated battery and threatening a public official; 36-year-old Brynn Korth of Ottawa for forgery; 32-year-old Mary Bray of Streator for two counts of aggravated battery; 50-year-old Travis Cox of Peru for aggravated battery; 33-year-old Deanna Cherveny of Streator for two counts of aggravated battery; 32-year-old Sasha Sangston of Streator for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of meth; and 40-year-old Albert Kara of Streator for unlawful possession of meth.
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46-year-old Joshua Boaz of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police Tuesday in the 1000 block of Marcy Street and was cited for driving on a revoked license and failure to dim headlights. In addition, an Ottawa man has a charge of possession of alcohol by a minor. 18-year-old Evan F. Boswell was arrested during the same traffic stop.
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WEATHER:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 62. East-northeast wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low of around 37. East-northeast wind around 5 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 gave up 15 hits during a 7-5 loss to the San Diego Padres in a Spring Training game at Peoria Stadium yesterday. Jonathan Cannon was tagged for four runs on eight hits in three innings during a no-decision. William Bergolla had two RBI in the losing effort. The Southsiders are 5-and-12 in exhibition play. They send Justin Dunn to the mound against the Angels today.
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The Chicago Cubs surrendered five runs in the first inning of a 9-7 Spring Training loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Sloan Park yesterday. Justin Steele was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs on ten hits in three-and-two-thirds innings. The Northsiders dropped to 11-and-5 in exhibition play. Their next game will be against the Hanshin Tigers in Japan on Friday night.
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The Chicago Bulls go for their fourth win in a row when they host the Brooklyn Nets at United Center tomorrow night. The Bulls are coming off a 121-103 win over the Indiana Pacers at home on Monday. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-and-38 record. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Chicago Blackhawks aim to avoid a third straight loss when they visit the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center tomorrow night. The Hawks were just blanked by the Colorado Avalanche 3-0 on the road on Monday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 49 points and a 20-36-and-9 record. Tomorrow’s game starts at 9:30 PM.
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The Chicago Bears are part of history after hosting a women’s flag football game this past weekend. The Rockford University women’s flag football team shut out Benedictine University 32-0 Saturday at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Illinois. The contest marked the first women’s collegiate flag football game in the state of Illinois. The game was hosted by the Bears at their practice facility.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are moving on in the ACC Tournament. The Irish earned a 55-54 win over Pitt at Spectrum Center yesterday. Tae Davis hit a go-ahead free throw after getting fouled with less than a second left in regulation. Davis led the Irish with 11 points in the victory. Notre Dame goes up against North Carolina today.
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The Northwestern Wildcats begin their Big Ten tournament run with a game against Minnesota at Gainbridge FieldHouse this afternoon. The Wildcats are coming off a 16-and-15 regular season that saw them go 7-and-13 in conference play. Northwestern earned a 75-63 road win over Minnesota when the two teams played on February 25th. Today’s game tips off at 2:30 PM.
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In other Big Ten tournament action this week, number 25 Illinois plays against either Ohio State or Iowa tomorrow night. In the Big East tournament, DePaul takes on Georgetown this evening.