Ottawa Mayor Robert Hasty recently addressed the ongoing situation between the City and OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital. He highlighted the City’s persistent efforts to counter OSF’s plan to downsize resources, emphasizing community concerns over reduced healthcare services. Despite opposition and various discussions with stakeholders, OSF has remained unresponsive to critical issues. After dismissing the City’s counterproposal, OSF threatened to withdraw its Certificate of Need application, jeopardizing essential services for Ottawa. However, negotiations led to a 12-month extension, during which OSF was mandated to hold monthly meetings with the city and community members and report to the Health Board. While Hasty acknowledged his absence from a recent Health Board hearing and the resulting frustration, he reiterated the City’s commitment to advocating for better healthcare access and maintaining transparency with the public. You can find the Mayor’s full statement on the 1430 WCMY FaceBook page.
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Illinois State Police spent early Saturday morning clearing large amounts of roofing nails—some hidden in plastic Easter eggs—deliberately scattered across emergency turnarounds along I-80 in La Salle and Bureau counties. Troopers were first dispatched around 4:30 a.m. near milepost 93 by Marseilles after reports of nails in the median crossovers, with similar findings reported earlier between Geneseo and Atkinson around 1:30 a.m. Authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying those responsible.
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A 21-year-old LaSalle woman has been released after being charged with aggravated battery to her 2-month-old daughter, who suffered a fractured leg. Cassandra S. Gleason is prohibited from contacting the victim. The charge followed an investigation initiated by the Department of Children and Family Services after the child was treated for her injuries. Gleason was arrested on Thursday and is scheduled to appear in LaSalle County Circuit Court on April 25th.
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24-year-old Mauricio A. Carreon of Spring Valley has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of reckless discharge of a firearm in connection with a 2021 incident in La Salle, where over a dozen shots were fired into a home on Eighth Street. Carreon, who also claims a Belvidere address, was identified as a suspect through surveillance footage and later implicated himself during a separate police interview. No one was injured in the shooting incident
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Marseilles City Council addressed concerns from Timbers Edge residents at last week’s meeting, following an email from Joe and Susanne Spreitzer about a growing number of abandoned, boarded-up, and demolished homes. The couple voiced fears for their safety, citing increased traffic, loitering, and unwanted visitors. Public Health and Safety Commissioner Melissa Small responded by confirming that 24-hour police patrols have been implemented in the area, with officers making frequent rounds to handle issues as they arise. She emphasized the city’s ongoing commitment to neighborhood safety and said officials are working with residents and other organizations to monitor conditions and protect those still living in the subdivision.
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In a press release, Constellation Energy says it has plans to build one of the largest green hydrogen facilities in the U.S. in Marseilles, using renewable-powered electrolysis to produce carbon-free hydrogen. The project, expected to begin construction in the coming years and be operational by the mid-2020s, will create hundreds of jobs and attract major investment. Marseilles was chosen for its strategic location, infrastructure, and access to key transport routes. The plant supports national clean energy goals and could make the city a key player in the growing hydrogen economy. Constellation will work closely with local stakeholders to address concerns and ensure community involvement throughout the process.
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Arukah Institute of Healing is expanding its regional impact with the acquisition of two new buildings in Princeton and Ottawa to enhance mental health and substance use services. The Princeton site, at 526 Bureau Valley Parkway, will host a Workforce Training Center to address the rural healthcare provider shortage and an Integrated Behavioral Health Center offering walk-in, wraparound care. In Ottawa, the new Child and Family Center at 4211 N. Columbus Street will focus on behavioral health services for families, with plans to expand psychiatric and crisis support. For more information, please contact Arukah Institute at arukahinstitute.org
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding everyone to leave baby birds and young animals alone when they encounter them in the wild. In nearly all cases, human intervention does more to hurt animals than to help. Young birds and animals are still being fed and cared for by their parents, who usually stay away from nests and dens if humans are nearby. Also, keeping wild animals as pets, or to raise wild animals believed to have been abandoned is banned.
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Non-administrative Illinois State University faculty are going over a tentative contract agreement with the school’s board of trustees. The agreement that was announced Friday has to be ratified by the Union’s membership before it can become official. An electronic ratification vote is expected to be held on Friday. The agreement follows months of talks.
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The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump administration to move forward with cuts to teacher training grants. The cuts are a part of President Trump’s crackdown on DEI initiatives. It’s a setback for eight Democratic-led states that brought a challenge to the White House’s policy. The court ruled five to four to put a hold on an order from a U.S. district judge that required the Department of Education to reinstate the funding to those states while legal proceedings were conducted. Chief Justice Roberts joined the court’s three liberal justices in dissent of the decision. Education officials around the state say the court’s decision is a significant setback since Illinois faces one of the highest demands for new teachers in the entire country.
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A west suburban Naperville high school teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a female student is given pretrial release. Williams Schaub has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and grooming. The judge ruled Friday that the 56-year-old instructor at Neuqua Valley High School was not a threat to the public and has no criminal record. The police investigation revealed improper electronic messages between Schaub and the student between November 2024 and March 2025. The defendant was arrested yesterday at a traffic stop near his home. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 24th.
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37-year-old Dustin Shannon of Seneca has a driving under the influence charge from Ottawa Police after his arrest Friday on Warehouse Drive.
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LaSalle County Deputies investigated a hit-and-run accident near the intersection of East 16th and N 3050th Roads Ottawa Township. 27-year-old Dainius Sepkus of Ottawa was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane usage, and operating a vehicle with no valid registration. He was released with a notice to appear in court.
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29-year-old Caitlynn Avery of LaSalle was arrested by Ottawa Police Friday in the 700 block of LaSalle Street on charges of driving on a suspended license, aggravated assault, and battery.
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Streator Police arrested 34-year-old Ryan M. Salyers of Streator Friday evening in the 700 block of E. Kent. He faces multiple charges including driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a revoked license, leaving the scene of an accident, disobeying a stop sign, and operating an uninsured vehicle. Salyers was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A homeless Ottawa man is charged with aggravated assault to a peace officer. 50-year-old Daniel E. Leibold was arrested in the 200 block of Main Street on Saturday.
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LaSalle County Deputies responded to a two-vehicle accident Friday in which a school bus without students struck a car at North 17th and East 23rd Roads in Otter Creek Township. The Woodland District 5 school bus missed its turn and backed up, hitting a vehicle behind it. No injuries were reported. 45-year-old Patrick Bushof Streator was cited for improper backing and was released with a court date. The school bus was able to drive away, while the damaged vehicle was towed from the scene.
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25-year-old Joseph Jackson of Marseilles was stopped by Ottawa Police near mile-marker 96 on eastbound Interstate 80 Friday. Jackson was charged with two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal transportation of alcohol, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
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During a traffic stop at West Jackson and Chestnut Streets in Ottawa, LaSalle County Deputies issued citations to 26-year-old Kaleb Henderson of Ottawa for operating an uninsured vehicle and a written warning for having no front license plate. In another stop at West Lafayette and Chestnut, sheriff’s deputies cited 22-year-old Richard Sallis for the improper use of an electronic device and operating an uninsured vehicle. Both Henderson and Sallis were released with notices to appear in court.
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LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop in Eden Township at Illinois 251 and North 20th Road. 23-year-old Edward Keith of Streator was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, operating a vehicle with expired registration, and improper lane usage. He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail and later released with a court date.
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WEATHER:
Monday
Scattered rain and snow showers after 1 pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a west-southwest wind of 10 to 20 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 25. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Anthony “Tony” J. Hinterlong, known by many as “Hollywood,” passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 1st, in the presence of his loving family and friends. A private family ceremony with Military Honors will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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Gary B. Grunstad, 74, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, April 4, with his loving family at his side. Visitation for Gary will begin at 9 am Tuesday, April 8th followed by a funeral service at 11 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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Keith H. Severson, 85, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, April 3rd, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will be private at Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Softball
Streator 11, Eureka 3; Prairie Central 9, Streator 5: At Fairbury
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Baseball
Ottawa 10, Somonauk 4: At Somonauk
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Boys’ track and field.
Ottawa: At the Shipley ABC Invitational in Moline on Saturday, Ottawa’s Weston Averkamp took home first place in both the A division 110-meter hurdles and the A 300-meter hurdles. Additionally, Stephon Patrick secured a third-place finish in the A-shot put event.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox fell apart in the ninth inning of a 4-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Southsiders led by two entering the frame, but Spencer Torkelson won the game with a walk-off double. Fraser Ellard was charged with the loss in relief. The Sox dropped to 2-and-7. Chicago returns to action against Cleveland tomorrow with a 2:30 pm pre-game and a 3:10 first pitch.
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The Chicago Cubs couldn’t hold onto a late lead during an 8-7 loss to the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. The Northsiders led 7-6 heading into the eighth before Gavin Sheets tied the game with an RBI single. San Diego scored the go-ahead run on a Justin Turner error in the ninth. Kyle Tucker homered in the losing effort, while Ryan Pressly was charged with the loss in relief. The 7-and-5 Cubs send Justin Steele to the mound against the Rangers tonight.
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Chicago Blackhawks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 at United Center. Mikheyev scored a pair of third-period goals to keep Chicago in the driver’s seat during the victory. Frank Nazar [[ NAY-zahr ]] also lit the lamp. The Hawks snapped a five-game losing streak. They visit the Penguins tomorrow night.
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The Bulls extended their winning streak to three games after taking down the Hornets 131-117 in Charlotte. Coby White led all scorers with 37 points for the Bulls. Nikola Vucevic and Josh Giddey each recorded a double-double. Chicago is ninth in the East at 36-and-42. The Bulls visit the Cavaliers tomorrow night.
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COLLEGIATE SPORTS:
At Moline: IVCC split an Arrowhead Conference doubleheader on Saturday with Black Hawk.
At Home: IVCC took on Rock Valley College on Sunday in a conference doubleheader and lost both games to Rock Valley.