Listeners of WCMY reported sightings of what appeared to be a small loose rotating funnel cloud masked in heavy clouds, with photographs shared across various Facebook pages. These reports came from areas north of Ottawa, with the funnel moving with the storm northeast along the I-80 corridor. While the National Weather Service has yet to confirm these sightings, additional reports indicated similar sightings east of 251 in Oglesby, where weather spotters were actively tracking the storm that generated the loose funnel cloud on the northern side of Ottawa. Also, LaSalle County experienced a weather phenomenon known as “dirt rain” during the recent storms. This type of rain carries various contaminant particles, such as dust and smoke, causing the water to lose its clarity.
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During Tuesday’s hearing in Bolingbrook before the Illinois Health Facilities Review Board, OSF Healthcare was granted a 12-month deferral on the Certificate of Need application to replace the current St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Ottawa with a smaller facility. Eight speakers represented the Citizens for Healthcare in Ottawa group, commonly known as CHO. The Review Board members did stress to OSF that a better job needs to be done in working and communicating with Ottawa community members as well as the city government. The board members were complimentary to the CHO group, noting their passion for community health and an informed presentation at the meetings over the last year since the OSF plan was originally announced.
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The Ottawa City Council has approved a new 1% sales and service tax to offset revenue losses from the upcoming repeal of the state grocery tax. Starting in January, the tax will apply to retailers and service occupations, helping the city recover funds previously generated by the grocery tax and support future projects. Ottawa, like other Illinois towns, was given the option to impose this tax following Gov. JB Pritzker’s decision to eliminate the grocery tax, which the city supports to avoid taxing essential items like food, medicine, and medical equipment.
Also, the Ottawa City Council held a public hearing unanimously approving the annexation of 12 Fields Hill subdivision properties with no public comments or discussion. City Attorney Christina Cantlin explained the annexations aim to resolve outstanding water bills from the Fields Hill Association. As an incentive, the city is waiving meter fees, reducing portions of the unpaid bills, and offering a discounted $5,500 connection fee. Cantlin noted this is the first group of about 65 to 70 remaining properties yet to be annexed. Once annexed, owners will benefit from lower city water rates and future access to the sewer system within two to three years. In other business, the council approved a redevelopment agreement with Gioia Group LLC at 209 W. Main St. and a grant agreement with the Illinois State Fire Marshal for new equipment.
In addition, the City of Ottawa has received a $650,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to rehabilitate approximately ten owner-occupied homes in a designated downtown and west side area. Eligible homeowners must meet LaSalle County’s low-to-moderate income guidelines and provide proof of income, insurance, tax bills, and utility statements. Each approved home may receive up to $60,000 in assistance, with priority for very low-income households, seniors (62+), or individuals with disabilities. A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25th, at 5:30 p.m. at Ottawa City Hall for program details and applications. More information is available at https://cityofottawa.org/.
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The Ottawa Elementary School Board of Education has announced Marissa Darlington as the district’s new superintendent, succeeding Michelle Lee, who is retiring. Darlington brings over 18 years of experience in education, including nearly eight years as superintendent/principal at Nettle Creek CCSD 24 in Morris and more than a decade as a kindergarten teacher in Plainfield CCSD and Morris Elementary. The Board expressed gratitude to Lee for her dedicated service and noted that, after an extensive search involving community stakeholders, they are confident Darlington will continue to support and enhance the district’s commitment to quality education.
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LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office Investigators arrested Jonathan Boone 29 years old from LaSalle, on 3 counts of Possessing Child Pornography. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office High Tech Crimes Bureau and the LaSalle Police Department. Boone was transported to the LaSalle County Jail where he was later released and given a notice to appear in court. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed at a later time. Investigators with the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office are members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
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The next free recycling event is scheduled for Saturday, April 12th, from 8 a.m. to noon at the La Salle County Government Center on Etna Road in Ottawa. Residents can drop off a variety of items, including phones, chargers, laptops, and stereos, with a strict limit of two TVs per vehicle. Pre-registration is required and is open to residents only—businesses are not eligible. To register, visit our website and click on this news story. https://lasallerecycling.as.me/schedule/fb829983/appointment/13294982/calendar/9822789.
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LaSalle County Highway Department is announcing a road Closure for N 2250th Road in Farm Ridge Township. The road will be closed for bridge repairs beginning Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The bridge is located 2 miles northwest of Grand Ridge and 0.6 miles west of E 16th Road. The work is expected to take 2 weeks to complete, weather permitting. N 2250th Road will not be closed until E 16th Road is open. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes around the construction site.
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Construction is underway in Bureau County on the bridges carrying I-180 over Bureau Creek and Tiskilwa Bottom Road. The work will replace both bridges carrying I-180 over Bureau Creek and the beams and deck of the bridges over Tiskilwa Bottom Road. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Tiskilwa Bottom Road will be closed under I-180 during the 24-million-dollar project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026.
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A sentencing date is set for Michael Madigan. A federal judge set sentencing for the former Illinois House speaker for June 13th. The order comes after Madigan was found guilty last month on conspiracy and bribery charges. The verdict was handed down after a four-month trial. The Chicago Democrat faces a possible wide range of punishments, with several of his guilty counts carrying a maximum of 20 years in prison.
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Governor Pritzker is traveling the state for the “Standing Up for Illinois Tour.” The governor kicked off the tour yesterday in Urbana with a roundtable discussion on how the Trump administration’s agenda is hurting Illinoisans. The event emphasized the need for responsible leadership that supports farmers and working families. Pritzker, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, and roundtable participants called attention to various communities and USDA programs that have been or could be affected by federal cuts.
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Illinois lawmakers are moving forward with a controversial bill that would place regulations on homeschooling in the state. Hundreds of opponents to the measure rallied at the State Capitol building yesterday as the bill was approved by the House Education Policy Committee. Under the legislation, families would be required to inform their school districts when they decide to homeschool their children, and the parents or guardians would need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. The bill follows an investigation by ProPublica and Capitol News Illinois last year that showed the state isn’t doing enough to make sure homeschooled students are shielded from potential harm and are receiving a proper education.
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Major upgrades are coming to Lincoln’s New Salem State Historic Site in Menard County. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Capital Development Board announced eight million dollars for improvements to the popular recreated log village where young Abraham Lincoln lived from 1831 to 1837. The funding will be used to repair up to 23 log village buildings and update the outdoor theater. Lincoln’s New Salem attracted more than 374-thousand visitors in 2024.
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A man is being sentenced to 85 years in prison for the 2022 murder in Peoria. Domincue Linwood received the sentence yesterday after he was found guilty in January of killing 24-year-old Jamarion Lee. The victim was found shot in September 2022 in the 16-hundred block of West Adrian G. Hinton Avenue. Prosecutors say Lee made a dying declaration, naming Linwood by his nickname “Dooder” as the man who shot him.
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A 17-year-old male from LaSalle, IL, was stopped at the intersection of 38th St. and Progress Blvd. in Peru for speeding 26 to 34 mph over the posted limit. The juvenile was also cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and was given a LaSalle County court date of April 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
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Winson J. Rendiles Vargas, a 27-year-old male from Spring Valley, IL, was arrested at the BP Amoco in downtown Peru, located at 1527 4th St. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to provide aid or information after damaging an unattended vehicle, and driving without a valid driver’s license.
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James M. Casey Wiggins, a 29-year-old male from 705 Calhoun St., Apt. 4F, Peru, IL, was arrested at the Peru High Rise on a Failure to Appear warrant issued out of LaSalle County. Wiggins also faces an additional charge of resisting arrest during the incident.
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Streator Police Arrested the following suspects and responded to *business theft:
Jason Arnold was arrested at Walmart, 2415 North Bloomington Street, for Trespassing and Retail Theft at 0758 hrs.
Heather Haygood was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant in the 600 Block of North Shabbona.
Ryan Arroyo was arrested on a Failure to Appear warrant in the 1200 block of North Everett.
*Air conditioning units were tampered with and copper was stolen in Westgate Plaza. No suspects.
Belina Foreman was arrested for reckless discharge of a firearm in the 100 block of East Sumner Street.
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LaSalle County Deputies investigated a single-vehicle accident, car vs deer, in the area of IL Rt-178 & N 24th RD (Deer Park TWP). Mark McClenning (64) of Tonica was the driver; no injuries were reported and the vehicle was able to be driven from the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-23 & N 19th RD (Farm Ridge TWP). Blanca Hernandez Navarro (21) of Streator was cited for speeding 79 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, having no valid license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and was released from the scene with an NTA.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-23 & N 40th RD (Serena TWP). Sheyla Silva-Hernandez (23) of Dwight was cited for speeding 80 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and was released at the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-23 & N 2450th RD (Farm Ridge TWP). Blake Couch (34) of Marseilles was cited for speeding 80 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and was released from the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of E 29th RD & N 37th RD (Mission TWP). Adriana Herrada (28) of Plainfield was given a written warning cited for speeding and was released from the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of IL Rt-18 & E 22nd RD (Otter Creek TWP). Omari Danner (25) of Streator was cited for speeding 78 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, given a written warning for expired registration, and was released from the scene.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Thursday Night
Clear, with a low of around 29. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.
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OBITUARIES:
Joan Elaine (Mennie) Harvey, 92, of Ottawa, passed away on March 12th, at Pleasant View, surrounded by her family. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Vince Bernardini, Jr., 75, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, March 7th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. A Memorial Service will be held at noon today, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery in Ottawa.
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Robert “Bob” Gibson, 86, of Seneca, passed away Wednesday, March 12th, at Morris Hospital. The family will receive friends at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home today, from 2 p.m. until the time of the funeral services at 4 p.m. Cremation rights have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Joretta Emily Ewald, 89, of Ann Arbor, MI, formerly of Ottawa and Naperville, passed away Friday evening on March 14th, at Birchwood Gardens in Ann Arbor. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 22nd, at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. in the mausoleum. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, an interment will follow.
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Betty A. Pakenham, 97, of Earlville, passed away Monday, March 17th, at The Pavilion of Ottawa. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 24th, at St. Theresa Catholic Church: 221 W. Union St. in Earlville, with an 11:00 a.m. funeral mass following the visitation at the church, burial will follow at St. Theresa Catholic Cemetery in Earlville.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys’ track and field.
Ottawa 5th at Sycamore: At Sycamore’s Gary Egler Invitational on Wednesday.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox gave up three runs in the bottom of the eighth during a 5-4 Spring Training loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Shane Smith tossed four scoreless innings in a no-decision before Brandon Eisert was tagged with the loss in relief. Michael A. Taylor drove in a pair of runs during the losing effort. The Southsiders send Martin Perez to the mound against the Angels this evening.
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The Chicago Cubs 2025 season is off to an inauspicious start after getting swept by the Dodgers in the Tokyo series. The Northsiders fell to Los Angeles 6-3 yesterday. Justin Steele was charged with his first loss after surrendering five runs on five hits in just four innings. Ian Happ, Kyle Tucker, and Dansby Swanson drove in a run apiece in the losing effort. The Cubs are off to a 0-and-2 start this season. Chicago returns to Spring Training action tomorrow.
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The Chicago Blackhawks aim to avoid a sixth consecutive loss when they host the Los Angeles Kings at United Center tonight. The Hawks just lost to the Kraken 6-2 at home on Tuesday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 49 points. Tonight’s game starts at 7:30 PM.
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The Chicago Bulls couldn’t slow down Devin Booker during a 127-121 loss at PHX Arena. The Bulls surrendered 41 points to the Suns superstar and trailed by as many as 21 points in the contest. Nikola Vucevic and Coby White each scored 24 points in the losing effort. Chicago is tied for ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 29-and-40. The Bulls visit Sacramento tonight.
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The Bears are adding an All-Pro level return specialist. The team has signed Devin Duvernay to a one-year contract. Duvernay was an All-Pro selection in 2021 and a two-time Pro Bowler as a return specialist. He joins the Bears after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Ravens and Jaguars.
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A former employee of the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia is going to federal prison for stealing millions of dollars worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia. Richard Globensky was sentenced to one year behind bars after pleading guilty last year in Chicago federal court to transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. Prosecutors say Globensky admitted to repeatedly stealing the merchandise and memorabilia from 2009 to 2022 while he was employed by the club as a warehouse assistant. He then sold the merchandise to an online broker in Florida for more than five million dollars. At least one of the stolen items was purchased by a collector in Chicago.
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COLLEGIATE SPORTS:
In the NIT bracket yesterday, Bradley beat North Alabama 71-62, and Loyola edged San Jose State 73-70.