Marseilles City Council weighed the possibility of overhauling its form of government, following a proposal from Streets Commissioner Mike Scheib to abandon the city’s traditional commission-style system. Scheib recommended shifting to a council-manager model, which would place day-to-day operations in the hands of a professional city manager rather than elected commissioners overseeing individual departments. Advocates say the change could streamline management and strengthen advocacy for the city. According to a 2016 National League of Cities study, the commission form—once common—is now used in less than one percent of U.S. cities.
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Streator Elementary School teachers and the district’s bargaining team will return to the negotiating table tomorrow, in another effort to reach a contract agreement. The teachers’ union announced the renewed talks Friday afternoon on its Facebook page, confirming that a mediator will again be present to help guide discussions. Streator’s elementary teachers have been working without a contract for nearly 300 days, with salary and benefits remaining key points of contention. Union members have already voted to authorize a strike if negotiations stall. A similar standoff in 2018 ended with a new three-year deal before a strike was called.
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Unemployment rates across the region showed significant improvement over the past year, according to new data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Putnam County led the way with the largest decline, as jobless numbers fell from 7.9% in January 2024 to 6.5% in January 2025. Bureau and La Salle counties also saw notable gains, with unemployment dropping from 7.7% to 6.6% and from 7.6% to 6.4%, respectively. Over the 12-month period, local job growth was strongest in sectors including other services, government, natural resources, health services, leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and construction. However, payroll employment declined in manufacturing and financial activities. Statewide, unemployment rates decreased in eleven metropolitan areas, while just one reported an increase.
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The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a kickoff meeting for its Farmers and Makers Market on Tuesday at 8 a.m. at the IVCC Ottawa Center. Both returning and new vendors are invited to learn about vendor guidelines, market dates, and promotional opportunities. Last year’s market showcased fresh produce and handcrafted goods from local artisans in downtown Ottawa, next to Washington Square. For more information, vendors can reach out to the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Arukah Institute of Healing is relocating its Ottawa Living Room to a new site at 3107 N. Route 23, with doors set to open Friday. Since 2023, the Living Room has operated at 613 W. Marquette St., providing a welcoming space for individuals facing mental health or personal challenges. Staff offer immediate support and referrals for mental health and substance abuse treatment. The Ottawa Living Room remains open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Arukah, a nonprofit mental health organization headquartered in Princeton, also operates a Living Room location there.
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Chomps’ manufacturer recalled close to 30 thousand ready-to-eat beef sticks after customers found metal in the product shipped to Illinois stores. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service was notified by Idaho Smokehouse Partners that they received complaints from consumers who reported finding pieces of metal in their Chomps sticks. Chomps expanded the recall to include Chomps Original Turkey sticks. There have been no reported injuries related to the contaminated beef sticks.
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Postal workers in Chicago are protesting possible cuts to the United States Postal Service. The National Association of Letter Carriers held a rally yesterday in Federal Plaza. The protest was part of a nationwide movement in support of the USPS. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said last week that he wants to cut thousands of jobs and billions of dollars from the Postal Service’s budget.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing conflict-of-interest questions over campaign donations he has received from a Chicago lawyer. The Sun-Times reports attorney Antonio Romanucci has made multiple campaign contributions to the Friends of Brandon Johnson. At the same time, his law firm, Romanucci & Blandin, represents clients in nine pending lawsuits against City Hall. Two other lawsuits involving the firm have been settled by the city since Johnson took office in May 2023. The mayor’s Law Department often helps decide if and how to settle these types of legal cases.
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A Rushville, Illinois man is accused of possessing and disseminating child porn while he was working for the state. The Illinois Attorney General’s office charged Billy Ruple Junior in Schuyler County Circuit Court with two counts of dissemination and possession of child pornography. Investigators conducted a search of Ruple’s home on Anderson Street last week and discovered evidence of child sexual abuse material. At the time of his arrest, Ruple was employed as a security and therapy aide for the Department of Human Services Rushville Treatment and Detention Facility, which houses sexually violent offenders.
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A woman is suing a Champaign doctor over a failed abortion. A medical negligence lawsuit was filed last week in Champaign County court against Dr. Keith Reisinger-Kindle and his Equity Clinic by a woman identified as Jane Doe. The suit claims the woman had to undergo emergency surgery to remove the portions of the fetus that were left behind during her procedure at the Champaign clinic in April 2023. The defendant had traveled to Illinois to receive an abortion. Reisinger-Kindle opened his clinic after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022.
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Authorities are identifying the man who died after jumping into the Sangamon River off a bridge last week. Police say officers responded on March 17th to a possible domestic violence call in the four-thousand block of Sand Hill Road. Officers found a woman with a serious head injury. Dispatch also received calls about a man jumping from a bridge at Peoria Road and South Sherman Boulevard. The Sangamon County Coroner says 61-year-old man Christopher Roberts was recovered from the river before he was pronounced dead. His death remains under investigation.
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A Sheffield man has been charged in connection with a hit-and-run incident that took place at a busy Peru roundabout Wednesday night. According to Peru police, officers responded to a report of a vehicle leaving the scene of an accident near the intersection of Plank Road and Schuyler Street, in the City of Peru roundabout area. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on March 19TH. Authorities later arrested 22-year-old Mark A. Richardson of Sheffield. Richardson is accused of leaving the scene of the accident and was also cited for improper lane usage on a laned roadway. He was issued two traffic citations and released with a mandatory court date. No injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
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Streator Police arrested 41-year-old Jason M. Arnold at 920 E. Main Street on charges of retail theft. According to authorities, Arnold was cited at the scene and subsequently released with a notice to appear in court.
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Mendota Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of RT 251 and N 40th Rd. As a result of that stop the driver, Connor J Carreon, 31, 1309 Guiles Ave, Mendota, was arrested for Driving While License Suspended. Carreon was transported to the Mendota Police Department where he was processed and later released with an April 11th, 2025 LaSalle County court date.
On Sunday, March 23, 2025, at approximately 1330 hours the Mendota Police Department was called to the 1300 block of Jefferson Street for a report of a disturbance. After a brief investigation Dennis Figueroa, 43, 1304 Jefferson Street, Mendota, Illinois was arrested for Domestic Battery. Figueroa was processed and later transported to the LaSalle County Jail to see a judge.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Gary St & Maple St (Richland TWP). Justin Holofchak (29) of Streator was given a written warning for failure to single when required, avoiding a traffic control signal, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and was released from the scene.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Chicago St & Bloomington St (Bruce TWP). Albert Kara (40) of Streator was cited for an expired registration, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and released from the scene with an NTA.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Park St & E. Bronson St (Bruce TWP). Patricia Davis-Lee of Streator was given a written warning for improper lane usage 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 15th RD (Eagle TWP). Tyler Elliott (24) of Cornell was cited for Speeding 79 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 N 17th RD & E 18th RD (Otter Creek TWP). Katlynn Whitney (29) of Streator was cited for Speeding 76 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 IL Rt-170 & N 16th RD (Allen TWP). Kurtis Ducan (38) of Pontiac was cited for speeding 75 MPH in a 55 MPH zone, Driver’s License expired more than a year, 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-71 & E 15th RD (Eagle TWP). Brian Angelico (45) of Streator was cited for Speeding 76 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 IL Rt-18 & E 13th RD (Eagle TWP). John Maltby (29) of Streator was cited for Speeding 79 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 N 21st RD & E 24th RD (Brookfield TWP). Zachary Miller (31) of Oglesby was cited for Speeding 78 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 US Rt-6 & E 13th RD (Ottawa TWP). Lea Bara (54) of Utica was cited for Speeding 72 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and was released from the scene.
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WEATHER:
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 50. Breezy, with a west wind of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
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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Mary Lynn “Gert” Deyo passed away on March 20th, in her hometown of Ottawa, at the age of 67. A funeral mass will be held at the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 25 at 10:15 a.m., followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus. A celebration of life will be held at Buffalo Rock at a later date. She will be laid to rest in Colorado at a later date, Ottawa Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Baseball
Marquette 15, Galena 0 (4 inn.); Marquette 10, Valmeyer 0 (6 inn.): At Jacksonville in the Play the Turf Jamboree
Seneca 6, Lexington 5: At Seneca
Ashton-Franklin Center 10, Serena 1: At Ashton
Reed-Custer 4, Newark 3: At Braidwood
La Salle-Peru 4, Pekin 3:
Streator 10, Sandwich 3: At Sandwich
South Beloit 4, Earlville co-op 0: At Earlville
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Softball
Marquette 16, East Dubuque 6; Marquette 12, North Mac 2: At Jacksonville in the Play the Turf Jamboree
Ottawa 2, JCA 1:
La Salle-Peru 13, Morton 8:
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GIRLS SOCCER
Orion-Sherrard 7, Mendota 1: in Orion
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox are losing one of their top young players ahead of the 2025 regular season. The team announced over the weekend that starting pitcher Drew Thorpe will have Tommy John surgery and be out for at least a year. Thorpe was 3-and-3 with a 5.48 ERA in nine starts for the Southsiders during his rookie season. In other club news, the Sox fell to the D-Backs 8-4 in Spring Training yesterday.
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The Chicago Cubs had just five hits during an 8-1 loss to the A’s in a Spring Training game at Sloan Park. Miguel Amaya drove in Chicago’s only run, while Matthew Boyd was charged with the loss after surrendering three runs on six hits in five-and-two-thirds innings. The Northsiders send Brad Keller to the mound against the Braves today.
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The Chicago Bulls had a dominant second half during a 146-115 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto-dot-com Arena on Saturday. The Bulls lead by just three at halftime before outscoring the Lakers 81-53 the rest of the way. Coby White poured in 36 points in the win, while Matas Buzelis chipped in with 31. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 31-and-40. The Bulls are at Denver tonight.
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The Blackhawks pumped the brakes on a lengthy skid after outlasting the Flyers 7-4 from United Center. Ryan Donato netted a pair of goals as part of a big second period. Spencer Knight made 24-of-28 saves between the pipes as Chicago snapped a seven-game losing streak. The Hawks host the Devils on Wednesday.
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Patrick Maroon is hanging up his hockey skates. The Blackhawks forward announced over the weekend that he will retire after the 2024-25 season. This is Maroon’s first season with the Blackhawks, but he won a Stanley Cup championship with the Blues in 2019 before earning back-to-back championships with the Lightning. The 36-year-old has four goals and 12 assists this season.
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Former Bears offensive lineman Tevin Jenkens is on a new team. The free-agent guard agreed to sign with the Cleveland Browns. Jenkins was the Bear’s best lineman when he was healthy but struggled with injuries. He finished his Bears career having started just 38 games in four seasons.
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Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever and Angel Reese’s Chicago Sky will make WNBA history this upcoming season. Their June 7th game at Chicago’s United Center will be aired in primetime on CBS. It will be the first WNBA regular-season game on broadcast TV in primetime in league history. The same two teams will air on CBS in primetime on August 9th in Indianapolis. The Sky and Fever will meet for the season opener on May 17th on ABC.
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COLLEGIATE SPORTS:
BASEBALL
IVCC 6-7, Highland 4-8: The Eagles split an Arrowhead Conference doubleheader in Freeport, winning the opener 6-4 and losing the second game 8-7.
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BASKETBALL
Illinois’ season is over after falling 84-75 to Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last night in Milwaukee. Kylan Boswell scored 23 points for the sixth-seeded Fighting Illini. Illinois finished the season with a 22-and-13 record. It was the program’s fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance under head coach Brad Underwood.
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In college hoops action on Saturday, Bradley beat George Mason in the NIT 75-67. Yesterday, Loyola edged San Francisco 77-76 in the NIT, and Illinois State took down Presbyterian 78-70 in the College Basketball Invitational.