Illinois State Police are joining local and county law enforcement in reminding drivers to be alert as children head back to school. Back-to-School season means an increase in pedestrians and bicyclists in traffic during morning and afternoon commutes. Not only are children walking to school and bus stops, but they are also riding bicycles and crossing the street. Parents and caregivers should also educate their children on proper crosswalk procedures and the importance of not running in between parked cars.
—————————————————————————-
Illinois is expanding excused absences from school for work-based learning events. Governor Pritzker signed a bill into law, allowing students attending events like 4-H and FFA programs to count program participation towards school attendance. FFA and 4-H programs encourage both urban and rural Illinois students to participate in hands-on projects across agricultural, STEM, and business development sectors.
—————————————————————————-
An advocate for the firearms industry is suing Illinois over a new law designed to hold gun manufacturers accountable. A lawsuit filed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation claims the law violates the Second Amendment. Over the weekend, Governor Pritzker signed a measure that makes gun retailers or manufacturers subject to civil liabilities if they knowingly caused harm from unsafe marketing practices. The law went into effect immediately.
—————————————————————————-
The remaining portion of the old westbound I-74 bridge between Bettendorf and Moline will be demolished later this month. The Iowa Department of Transportation plans to use controlled explosives to remove suspension cables and towers on the old bridge spanning over the Mississippi River on August 27th. The use of explosives will require a temporary closure of the new I-74 bridge to vehicles and pedestrians. The river will also be temporarily closed to commercial traffic and pleasure boaters.
—————————————————————————-
24-year-old Mackenzie Cook of Ottawa was stopped by LaSalle County Deputies after being clocked speeding 72 miles an hour in a 55 miles an hour zone in Bruce Township at Illinois 23 and North 18th Road.
—————————————————————————-
Early Monday morning, LaSalle County Deputies cited 52-year-old Robert Beardsley of Streator for speeding 75 miles an hour in a 55 miles an hour speed zone. The traffic stop was made in Eagle Township at Illinois 18 and East 13th Road.
—————————————————————————-
30-year-old Julio Cervantes was arrested by Ottawa Police on a retail theft charge Friday. He posted a bond and was released with a court date.
—————————————————————————-
A 36-year-old Ottawa man faces driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident charge. Joshua L. Rogers was arrested by Ottawa Police Friday at Sanger and Lafayette Streets. He posted a bond and was given a notice to appear.
—————————————————————————-
21-year-old Anthony Clark of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police at 900 Paul Street Saturday on a LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear on a charge of harassment. He posted a bond and was released.
—————————————————————————-
WEATHER:
Today – Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 75F. Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Tonight – A clear sky. Low 51F. Winds are light and variable.
—————————————————————————-
OBITS:
Jimmie Arthur Watts, 71, of Harding, passed away Saturday, August 12 at his home surrounded by his family. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow, August 16, at the Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles. Funeral services with at 11 a.m. Thursday at Oakwood Memorial Park
Faith McNamara passed away at home on August 10th, after a courageous battle with cancer. All services will be at the Praise Center at the Assembly of God church in Ottawa. Visitation will be this Friday, August 18th, from 4-6:30 pm. Funeral Service will be at 11 am on this Saturday, August 19th.
—————————————————————————-
SPORTS:
Cubs Host White Sox
(Chicago, IL) — The Crosstown Classic returns to the north side of Chicago when the Cubs host the White Sox at Wrigley tonight. The Cubs won both of the games on the south side last month. The 61-and–57 Cubs enter the contest in the thick of a playoff race. They’re just three-and-a-half games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central and one game back of Miami for the final Wild Card spot. The White Sox are fourth in the AL Central at 47-and-72. Touki Toussaint starts for the Southsiders, while the Cubs roll with Kyle Hendricks.
—————————————————————————-
Two Former Baseball Coaches And School Official File Lawsuit Against Northwestern
(Evanston, IL) — Two former assistant baseball coaches and the director of baseball operations at Northwestern University are filing a lawsuit against the school. The plaintiffs are Dusty Napoleon, Jon Strauss, and Chris Beacom. The suit accuses the university of harassment, bullying, retaliatory discharge, and abuse. One defendant is former baseball coach Jim Foster. The plaintiffs say they were retaliated against after they reported NCAA violations by Foster to university officials which led to the coach’s firing.
—————————————————————————-
Bulls Sign F Taylor
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls are adding some depth to their front-court. The Bulls signed forward Terry Taylor to a deal yesterday. Taylor finished out the 2022-23 season with Chicago on a two-way deal last year. He appeared in just five games with the Bulls, averaging four points and one-point-six rebounds per contest.
—————————————————————————-
Iowa’s Unclaimed Property Auction Features Michael Jordan Card
(Des Moines, IA) — A near-mint Michael Jordan rookie card will be up for grabs next month in Iowa’s unclaimed property auction. The treasurer’s office has had the card authenticated, but no one is saying exactly how much it’s worth. The auction is set to begin September 5th and runs through the 20th.