A 7-year-old boy from Tinley Park has been released from OSF HealthCare in Peoria with no serious injuries following a 25 to 30-foot fall at Starved Rock State Park on Tuesday evening, according to Illinois Conservation Police Sgt. Phil Wire. His 37-year-old mother, who suffered a broken wrist and three fractured vertebrae while attempting to rescue her son, is expected to be released from the same hospital on Friday. The child reportedly slipped first, prompting his mother’s fall as she tried to reach him; the boy’s father also fell in the canyon but declined medical treatment. Sgt. Wire confirmed the family had remained on designated trails and that the incident had been ruled accidental, with no citations issued.
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A Marseilles man accused of murdering his father is scheduled to stand trial in a bench proceeding beginning May 28. Logan Petre, 22, appeared Thursday in La Salle County Court, where Judge Michael Jansz confirmed the trial will be overseen by the yet-to-be-named successor to Judge Raccuglia. Petre has been held in the La Salle County Jail since his arrest last June, after prosecutors allege he beat and strangled his 54-year-old father, Leo Petre, at their home. While in custody, Petre was also charged with aggravated battery for allegedly attacking another inmate, a charge to which he has pleaded not guilty. He is due back in court for a status hearing on May 8.
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Marseilles Nears Completion of City Hall, Police Department Renovations. Marseilles is on the brink of completing its City Hall and police department renovations after the City Council approved a final payment of $75,261 to Phalen Steel of Mendota. The project, which began last July, has focused on upgrading infrastructure, security, and accessibility. Commissioner Bobby Kaminski confirmed a final walkthrough is set in the coming weeks to ensure all work meets standards, following a successful preliminary inspection by City Engineer Mike Etscheid.
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The National Weather Service confirms five tornadoes hit Central Illinois Wednesday. An EF-0 tornado touched down just west of Cissna Park. EF-1 tornadoes hit Lincoln, southeast of Loda, and in Montrose in Effingham County. An EF-2 was also reported near Vandalia Lake in Fayette County. No injuries were reported.
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A car dealership in El Paso is severely damaged following a fire. The blaze broke out early at Mounce Automotive. The business says the sales building was destroyed. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
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A community choir concert is scheduled for Saturday evening in the Cafetorium at Central Intermediate School in Ottawa. The group of singers, organized by Lloyd Chapman will perform music of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and beyond. Selections popularized by Simon & Garfunkel, The Mamas and Papas, Neil Diamond, Toto, Elton John, and the Beatles will be included. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. Saturday and admission is free.
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Gas prices in the Local area have surged this week, marking a sharp increase after weeks of relative stability. According to GasBuddy.com, several stations in Peru, Ottawa, Princeton, Mendota, and Utica are now charging as much as $3.49 per gallon for unleaded, up from around $3.00 in recent weeks. However, lower prices can still be found, with one Ottawa station offering gas at $3.08 per gallon and at least one La Salle location listing it for $3.13.
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OSF HealthCare’s plan to discontinue obstetrics and intensive care services at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa could take effect by September, pending state approval. The Illinois Health Facilities and Review Board has officially accepted OSF’s application to shift these services to its hospital in Peru, with a proposed completion date of August 31. The board is set to vote on the request at its August 12 meeting, and the public has until April 11 to request a hearing. Written comments on the proposal must be submitted by July 23.
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A University Park woman is now wanted by authorities after failing to appear in court this week. Ebony Green, 28, missed a scheduled status hearing Wednesday in Ottawa, prompting a judge to issue a warrant for her arrest. Green faces multiple felony charges, including theft, loan fraud, and forgery, stemming from a scheme uncovered earlier this year in La Salle County. Prosecutors allege Green and five co-defendants submitted fake documents falsely claiming financial losses from non-existent businesses or professions to obtain pandemic-related relief funds.
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As promised, President Trump has signed new U.S. global tariffs, which could greatly impact Chicago. The president announced that the tariffs would cover a wide range of products from several countries. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who attended a virtual meeting of mayors of Great Lakes and Canadian cities, says the city could be left devastated. He added that any slowdown in trade threatens Chicago’s economy, as well as jobs. Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker calls the tariffs a tax on working families who are struggling with the high costs of food, housing, and utilities.
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Illinois is joining a lawsuit filed over President Trump’s executive order that attempts to reshape elections in the US. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 18 other attorneys general are suing the Trump administration, claiming the order signed last month is an unconstitutional attempt to impose sweeping voting restrictions across the country. The suit seeks to block certain aspects of the order, including a requirement that Americans must provide documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote. The coalition believes that the provisions of the executive order will cause imminent and irreparable harm to the states.
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A Naperville high school teacher is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Neuqua Valley High School teacher William Schaub faces charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and grooming after he was arrested during a traffic stop near his home yesterday in LaGrange. Police say they were informed on March 7th that school officials had received an anonymous tip claiming there had been an inappropriate relationship between Schaub and a female student. Investigators discovered inappropriate electronic messages between the two, as well as evidence of inappropriate physical contact in December.
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A former Illinois National Guardsman is pleading guilty to having child porn in Sangamon County. Authorities say David Miller was charged in June of 2024 with seven counts of possession of child pornography. He will be sentenced next month. The Illinois National Guard confirmed that Miller previously served as a Chief Warrant Officer before he was discharged last May.
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A Galesburg sex offender is pleading guilty to soliciting child sex abuse material. William Peck entered the guilty plea yesterday in Knox County Circuit Court. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office says in November 2023, officers searched Peck’s home and arrested him after discovering evidence of child sexual abuse material. He was previously convicted of indecent solicitation of a minor and possession of child sexual abuse material and served six years in prison.
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Prosecutors are pushing to dismiss a high-profile murder case in central Illinois in 1996. The Macon County State’s Attorney’s office filed a motion to have the Slover case dropped. Jeannette Slover, her husband Michael Slover, Senior., and her son Michael Slover, Junior were found guilty in 2002 of murdering Michael Junior’s ex-wife, Karyn Hearn Slover. Jeannette Slover died in custody earlier this year, while Michael Senior passed away in prison in 2022. Michael Junior was paroled in the spring of 2024.
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A man is pleading guilty to murder in a deadly 2022 shooting at a Toyota dealership in Loves Park. Roman Richmond entered the guilty plea yesterday and was sentenced to 29 years in prison. Prosecutors say Richmond shot and killed Daniel Johnson at the dealership in April 2022. Johnson was an employee of the business at the time of his killing.
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A 36-year-old La Salle man has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to possession of a weapon by a felon. Michael Wilson admitted to the charge as part of a plea agreement that resulted in the dismissal of a separate felony count of criminal property damage. The case stems from an October 2023 incident, when police linked Wilson to a shooting on Lafayette Street.
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WEATHER:
Friday
Showers, mainly after 4 pm. High near 53. East wind 10 to 15 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts to less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 am, then showers likely. Low around 43. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
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OBITUARIES:
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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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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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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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. TODAY, 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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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. TODAY, 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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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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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 noon at the funeral home with Reverend Dale Schillings officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Baseball
Streator 6, Ottawa 2: in Streator.
Marquette 16, Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell 1 (4 inn.): At rural Streator,
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Softball
Ottawa 11, Somonauk/Leland 4: At Somonauk
Marquette 22, Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell 4 (5 inn.): At rural Streator
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Girls soccer
Rochelle 4, Streator 2: At James Street Recreation Area
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Boys Tennis
Ottawa 4, Pontiac 1 :
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Track and field
Marquette: At Morris, In a recent meet featuring Newark, Coal City, and Morris, Marquette’s Jacoby Gooden secured victories in the 100-meter, 200-meter, and long jump, and was part of the winning relay team alongside Marcus Baker, Charlie McGrath, and Jimmy Lawsha. McKinley Thompson led the Crusaders with wins in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter runs, while Caden Shreve won in the shot put.
For the girls, Marquette’s Maggie Jewett triumphed in the 400-meter, Gwen Jimenez claimed first in the shot put, and Tess Carlson from the Norsemen won the pole vault.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox hit the road for a weekend series against the Detroit Tigers that begins at Comerica Park this afternoon. The Southsiders just dropped two of three during a series against the Twins earlier in the week. Chicago is 2-and-4 this season. Jonathan Cannon starts for the Sox today. We will have an 11:30 pre-game and a first pitch scheduled at 12:10 PM.
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The Chicago Cubs return to Wrigley Field for their home opener against the San Diego Padres this afternoon. Chicago is 5-and-4 after a three-game sweep of the Athletics earlier this week. The Northsiders send Shota Imanaga to the mound in today’s game. The first pitch is at 1:20 PM.
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The Chicago Blackhawks aim to avoid a fifth loss in a row when they visit the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena tonight. The Hawks just lost to the Avalanche 3-2 in overtime at home on Wednesday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 52 points. Tonight’s game begins at 6:00 PM. All eyes will be on Alex Ovechkin as is just 3 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzsky’s all-time scoring record.
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The Chicago Bulls will try to get a winning streak going when they host the Portland Trail Blazers at United Center tonight. The Bulls just crushed the Raptors 137-118 at home on Tuesday night. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 34-and-42. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Bears are bringing in a veteran quarterback. The team has reportedly signed Case Keenum to a one-year deal worth up to three million dollars. The 37-year-old journeyman will likely serve as the third-string signal caller behind Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. Keenum went 1-and-1 as a starter last year for the Texans.
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COLLEGIATE SPORTS:
Baseball
Illinois Valley Community College at Highland Community College – The Eagles lose a pair of conference games.
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The NCAA Men’s Final Four tips off this weekend from San Antonio. All four one-seeds will be in the national semifinals for the first time since 2008 when the group of Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Houston hit the hardwood Saturday. Auburn will battle Florida in an all-SEC showdown before Duke takes on Houston in a matchup between two of college basketball’s most consistent forces. Auburn and Houston have never won a national championship in basketball.