The Ottawa City Council has approved a redevelopment project for 209 W. Main St., home to Ottawa Office Supply. The plan includes adding commercial space on the ground floor and converting the second level into residential apartments, with an estimated cost of $604,000. The city’s tax increment financing (TIF) district will assist with funding. Mayor Robb Hasty confirmed that Ottawa Office Supply will remain open for the next two to three years under a lease agreement, while part of the building will be remodeled for two luxury short-term rental units. Gioia Group LLC aims to seek reimbursement for eligible expenses through the TIF fund later this year, with a requirement to complete the project within 12 months. The city expects the redevelopment to enhance downtown economic activity.
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Construction has resumed on U.S. Route 6 between La Salle and Peru, with a $6.4 million project set for completion this summer, IDOT announced Tuesday. The work includes road patching, resurfacing, and lane reconfiguration in Peru, reducing traffic to one lane each way with a turn lane. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers control traffic and signals run on timers. Last year’s upgrades included ADA-compliant ramps, signal improvements, and drainage repairs. Part of the $33.2 billion Rebuild Illinois plan, the project contributes to the state’s effort to improve highways and bridges statewide.
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After seven hours of negotiations, the Streator Elementary School Board and the Streator Education Association (SEA) remain at an impasse, with the board expressing optimism and the union warning of a potential strike. The SEA claims it made concessions on wages and health insurance, but the board refused to budge, offering only to reallocate existing funds. In a statement, the union accused the district of prioritizing legal fees and a departing superintendent’s salary over fair compensation for teachers and staff. Meanwhile, the board said progress was made and hopes for a resolution, with the SEA’s strike notice effective April 1, the standoff continues, leaving the district’s future uncertain.
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For the second consecutive hearing, 39-year-old Joshua Casey appeared in court as the public defender’s office requested additional time for him to secure private counsel. Until then, the office continues to represent him in the first-degree murder case, with the next hearing set for April 17. Casey is accused of strangling 37-year-old Jessica Balma in Streator on March 4 and wrapping her body in a carpet, leading to an additional charge of concealing a homicidal death. Prosecutors say Casey has twice admitted to the crime since the killing.
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LaSalle County Health Department Celebrates National Public Health Week National Public Health Week, observed from April 7th – 13th, 2025, under the theme “It Starts Here,” encourages community involvement in public health. For 38 years, the LaSalle County Health Department has provided essential services, including immunizations and maternal healthcare, to promote community wellness. For more information on the full range of services offered, visit lasallecountyil.gov.
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More than 30 students and two staff members at Genoa-Kingston High School were evaluated for nausea and dizziness Tuesday after emergency responders were called to the school for a suspected gas leak in a chemistry lab. Genoa-Kingston Fire and Rescue arrived at 1:57 p.m. while classes were in session, but authorities found no hazardous substances at the scene. As a precaution, a regional hazardous materials response team was requested. In total, paramedics assessed 34 students and two staff members, but no one required hospitalization. The cause of the incident remains unclear.
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Governor Pritzker is slamming President Trump after he announced his global tariffs. The governor calls tariffs a tax on working families who are grappling with the high costs of food, housing, and utilities. Pritzker said the “Trump Tax on Working Families is an extreme escalation against our closest allies that will raise prices just to give Elon Musk and his wealthiest friends a tax break.”
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Gov. JB Pritzker ended a four-day trade mission to Mexico City on Wednesday, promoting Illinois for investment while addressing growing concerns over impending U.S. tariffs. Meeting with Mexican business leaders, he emphasized the need for stable trade policies, warning that unpredictable tariffs could disrupt supply chains and harm businesses on both sides. With a 70-member Illinois delegation, Pritzker acknowledged the uncertainty could impact efforts to attract investment, stressing the importance of economic stability.
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Federal prosecutors are dropping charges against an Illinois man accused of assaulting U.S. Representative Nancy Mace in Washington, D.C. James McIntyre pleaded not guilty following the incident in December when he was accused of “violently” shaking the hand of Mace at the Rayburn House Office Building. McIntyre is an advocate for transgender rights and the co-founder of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America. It isn’t known why the charges against him were dropped.
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The University of Illinois System is launching a pilot program aimed at increasing the transfer rates from community colleges to four-year universities. In partnership with Chicago-based nonprofit One Million Degrees, the program for low-income community college students. The initiative will start by serving 240 students from select Illinois community colleges. Students will be provided with academic and career support as they transfer to University of Illinois campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield.
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Legendary rock band The Black Crowes are bringing electrified guitar strings, and stripped, bare-boned rock & roll to the Illinois Lottery Grandstand Stage on Saturday, August 9th. Tickets for The Black Crowes will go on sale Saturday, April 5th at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.
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A 37-year-old homeless man was taken into custody Sunday morning at the intersection of 26th Street and Marquette Road in Peru on drug possession charges and an outstanding warrant. Richard M. Venegas, who resides at the PADS shelter, was arrested at 9:13 a.m. on March 30, 2025. Authorities confirmed that Venegas was found in possession of a controlled substance at the time of his arrest and was also wanted on an active warrant.
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Streator Police arrested 72-year-old Gregg Spradling on Wednesday evening for trespassing in the 100 block of South 3rd Avenue. According to the Streator Police Department, officers took Spradling into custody around 6:30 p.m. on April 2. Further details regarding the incident were not immediately available.
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Ottawa Police arrested 20-year-old McCoy Tucker of Streator Wednesday in the 1200 block of Douglas Street on a charge of illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 57. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night
A slight chance of showers between 1 am and 4 am. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 42. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east-northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
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OBITUARIES:
Carol Ann Jugenitz, 88, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, March 28th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. A private service will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Orrin Wiley, 98, of Earlville, died on Monday, March 24th, at LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by his family. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 4th, at the former Harding United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Harding Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Angela Marie Duffy, 49, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, March 28th, at Parker Nursing Home after a courageous battle with cancer. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will take place in Oakwood Memorial Park at a later date.
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Phillip Harkins, 62, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, March 31st, at home. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 5th, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:30 on Saturday, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Elizabeth “Bette” Zepeda passed away peacefully at the Pavilion of Ottawa, on Tuesday, April 1st, at the age of 96. As per her wishes, no visitation or funeral services will be held. A family gathering will be held privately in remembrance of her and to celebrate her life. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Valerie Jean Farmer, 65, of Marseilles, passed away Sunday, March 30th, at her home. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 5th, at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles. Funeral services will follow at 12 p.m. at the funeral home with Reverend Dale Schillings officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
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Brian Lee Morris, 65, of Marseilles, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 1st, surrounded by his wife and three daughters. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 4th, at Heritage Christian Center in Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. The burial will be in Nichol Cemetery. Seals-Campbell Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox dropped their rubber match with the Minnesota Twins 6-1 at Rate Field yesterday. Sean Burke had a rough start, getting tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on seven hits in four-and-a-third innings. Brooks Baldwin hit a solo homer in the losing effort. The 2-and-4 Southsiders send Jonathan Cannon to the mound against the Tigers tomorrow, we will have an 11:30 pm pre-game and a 12:10 pm first pitch.
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The Chicago Cubs wrapped up a three-game sweep of the Athletics with a 10-2 win at Sutter Health Park. The Cubs scored four runs in the top of the second and led the rest of the way. Seiya Suzuki hit two home runs and drove in five during the victory, while Jameson Taillon earned his first win after holding the A’s to two runs on four hits in six innings. Shota Imanaga starts for the Northsiders against San Diego tomorrow.
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The Chicago Blackhawks blew a two-goal, third-period lead during a 3-2 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche at United Center. Ilya Mikheyev and Connor Murphy both scored early to give Chicago a 2-0 lead, but Colorado tied the game with ten seconds left in regulation. Chicago dropped the shootout round 2-1. The Hawks remain in last place in the Central Division with 52 points. They visit the Capitals tomorrow.
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The Chicago Bulls are gearing up for their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the United Center tomorrow night. The Bulls just crushed the Raptors 137-118 at home on Tuesday. Chicago holds the final play-in spot with a 34-and-42 record. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Bears are now considering both Arlington Heights and Chicago’s lakefront as potential stadium sites. While speaking yesterday at the NFL’s annual meetings, Team president and CEO Kevin Warren said their focus is on both sites. That is a shift from last year when he said building on the lakefront gave the team the “best opportunity for success.” The Bears previously revealed plans for both a lakefront stadium and stadium and entertainment district at Arlington Park, which the team purchased in February 2023.
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COLLEGIATE SPORTS:
Softball
Illinois Valley Community College at Highland Community College for a conference doubleheader.
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The Northwestern Wildcats could be without their best player next season. Forward Nick Martinelli declared for the NBA Draft yesterday. Martinelli will be able to get feedback from NBA scouts and can decide to return to the Wildcats. Martinelli averaged 20-and-a-half points and six-point-two rebounds last season.