Two Illinois residents are among those named in the Georgia indictment accusing former President Trump and others of illegally attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Prosecutors named Chicago publicist Trevian Kutti and suburban church pastor Reverend Stephen Cliffgard Lee in the indictment. Both are charged with racketeering, influencing witnesses, and conspiring to commit false statements. Kutti has worked as a publicist for R. Kelly and Kanye West and is currently a lobbyist for a cannabis company. Lee is a pastor at Living Word Lutheran Church in Orland Park.
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Eight people are facing charges after the Illinois State Police conducted an anti-human-trafficking operation last week in the Springfield area. The investigation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. The operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois.
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Streator Police arrested 45-year-old Robert Danielson Tuesday evening on a charge of domestic battery. Danielson was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A 32-year-old homeless Peru woman faces a charge of retail theft. Charlotte Larrow was arrested last Friday by Peru Police at O’Reilly Auto Parts on Wenzel Road.
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66-year-old Sherman Weiss of Streator was charged Monday morning with retail theft by Peru Police. Weiss was picked up at All About Eyes in Peru Marketplace and was released with a notice to appear in court.
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28-year-old Rylee Redd of LaSalle was stopped by LaSalle County Deputies early Tuesday morning at Illinois 18 and East 11th Road in Richland Township on a charge of speeding 75 miles an hour in a 55 miles an hour zone.
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A traffic stop at Illinois 18 and East 10th Road in Richland Township resulted in a charge of speeding being issued to 35-year-old Tania Torres-Magana of
Streator. LaSalle County Deputies clocked Torres-Magana driving at 72 miles an hour in a 55 miles an hour zone early Tuesday morning.
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Just after 4:00 am, Tuesday LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped 41-year-old Seth Ponton of Streator on a charge of speeding 75 miles an hour in a 55 miles an hour zone near Illinois 18 and East 7th Road in Richland Township.
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack is issuing a disaster declaration for Fulton, Mason, and Tazewell counties in Central Illinois for the drought that took place during the 2023 growing season. Counties contiguous to those three are eligible for the same assistance, including McLean and Woodford. The natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters.
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The U.S. Geological Survey is reporting that an earthquake hit southeast Illinois. The quake shook the area about four miles southeast of Lawrenceville Monday night. The earthquake had a magnitude of 2.5 in an earthquake-prone region of southeastern Illinois.
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WEATHER:
Today – Areas of patchy fog early. Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight – Clear this evening then becoming cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a shower late. Low near 65F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.
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*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. today at the Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles. Funeral services 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, from 4-6:30 pm. Funeral Service will be at 11 am this Saturday.
Robert “Bob” Cupples, 85, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at his home. Visitation will be on this Friday, from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will be held at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
Ronald “Ron” Hayes, 50, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa after a courageous battle with cancer A gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday, August 19, from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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SPORTS: