A crowd estimated at over 600 people filled the new Riordan Pool in Ottawa for a free family swim night on Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00. An anonymous donor covered the expense of operating the pool for the evening. The reconstructed pool has a capacity of just over 700 people. The Ottawa pool is continuing limited hours into Labor Day weekend and will be open this Saturday and Sunday from Noon until 5:00, next Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 in the evening, and then again on September 3rd and 4th before closing for the season.
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The LaSalle County Health Department is confirming a crow from Peru has tested positive for West Nile virus. The bird was collected on August 23, 2023. In addition, mosquitoes collected from Mendota on August 24, 2023, have also tested positive. Environmental Health staff was able to conduct the confirmatory tests at the Health Department. Monitoring for West Nile virus includes laboratory tests for mosquito batches, dead crows, blue jays, and robins, as well as testing humans with West Nile virus-like symptoms. People who see a sick or dying crow, blue jay, or robin should contact the health department, which will determine if the bird will be picked up for testing.
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The longtime Chief of Staff of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is being convicted of lying under oath to protect his old boss. A jury yesterday found Tim Mapes guilty of providing false material testimony under oath to a federal grand jury and attempting to obstruct an investigation that led to Madigan’s indictment last year in a racketeering case. Mapes served as Madigan’s chief of staff from 1991 until June 2018 before being ousted following allegations of harassment. He faces more than two decades in prison when he is sentenced on January 10th of next year.
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More details are being revealed about the Illinois woman accused of threatening to kill former President Donald Trump and his 17-year-old son Barron. Tracy Fiorenza of Plainfield faces federal charges in Florida. The Chicago Tribune reports Fiorenza traveled in March to the Palm Beach County school where Trump’s son attends and “had an encounter with a sheriff.” A security guard at the school called 911 and referred to her as a stalker of a known student. In May, Fiorenza emailed the school’s headmaster and said she would shoot Donald Trump and Baron Trump in the face. She was arrested in Chicago this week.
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An Illinois State University education leader is accused of sexually assaulting a child. The director of ISU’s School of Teaching and Learning, Alan Bates, is charged with four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault. Documents show the charges involve one child under the age of 13. Bates is being held in the McLean County Jail on a one-million-dollars bond.
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The Ottawa Fire Department extinguished a rubbish fire on the I-80 Fox River Bridge Thursday afternoon.
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A traffic stop early Thursday morning by Peru Police at 7th Street and Illinois 251 resulted in charges against a Spring Valley woman. 36-year-old Claudia Arevalo Hernandez was charged with operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration for mandatory insurance.
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WEATHER:
Today – Mostly sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms develop during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds are light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
Tonight – Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 68F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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OBITS:
Michael J. Oldenburg, 61 passed away on Wednesday, August 23, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Bloomington. Cremation rites have been accorded by Winterrowd Funeral Home in Streator. A private family memorial gathering will be held. Visit the Winterrowd Funeral Home website at winterrowdfh.com for more information.
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Dennis P. Pellegrine, 72 of Streator passed away Saturday evening August 12, at Arcadia Care, in Streator. Following cremation, a visitation will be held This Sunday from 1 – 2 PM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home. Services will follow at 2 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date with military honors conducted by members of the Streator American Legion and VFW.
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SPORTS:
Marquette at Aurora Christian
When: 7 p.m. Kick-off & 6:30 p.m. Pre-game on 935/1430 WCMY
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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Serena vs. Hall
Freshman game Serena wins 25-18, 25-23
Sophomore game goes to Hall 25-20, 19-25, 15-8
Serena wins varsity 25-18, 20-25, 25-21
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>>White Sox Falter Late
(Chicago, IL) — The White Sox gave up five unanswered runs in the final four innings of their 8-5 loss to the Oakland A’s at Guaranteed Rate Field. Andrew Benintendi, Elvis Andrus, and Luis Robert Jr. all went deep to give Chicago a two-run lead through five innings, but Chicago gave the lead back in the sixth and gave up a pair of go-ahead runs in the seventh. Jimmy Lambert was charged with his third loss in relief. The Southsiders are in fourth place in the AL Central at 50-and-78. Dylan Cease starts for Chicago against Oakland tonight.
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>>Cubs Edge Pirates In Extras
(Pittsburgh, PA) — The Cubs took their series opener against the Pirates following a 5-4, extra-inning victory from Pittsburgh. The game was tied at three runs apiece in the top of the 10th until Ian Happ singled home two runs to give Chicago the lead. Connor Joe brought one back for Pittsburgh with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the frame, but Adbert Alzolay recovered and earned his 20th save of the season to secure the victory. Chicago improved to 67-and-60 and is second in the NL Central. Kyle Hendricks starts for Chicago against the Pirates tonight.
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>>Bears Host Bills In Final Preseason Game
(Chicago, IL) — The Bears wrap up the 2023 preseason with a game against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field tomorrow. The Bears are 1-and-1 in exhibition play after losing to the Colts 24-16 last weekend. Justin Fields is expected to start tomorrow’s game after sitting out last week. Tomorrow’s contest kicks off at noon.
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>>Notre Dame Takes On Navy
(Dublin, Ireland) — Number-13 Notre Dame opens up the 2023 NCAA football season with a game against Navy at Aviva Stadium in Ireland tomorrow. The Fighting Irish are looking to build off a 9-and-4 season in Marcus Freeman’s first year as coach in 2022. Notre Dame has won its last five games against Navy.
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>>Fire Visit LA Galaxy
(Carson, CA) — The Chicago Fire look to get back in the win column when they visit the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park tomorrow night. The Fire are coming off a 3-1 loss to Orlando City last weekend. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with eight wins, eight draws, and eight losses for 32 points.
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>>Third Quarter Collapse Dooms Sky
(Chicago, IL) — The Chicago Sky nearly pulled off an upset during a 94-87 loss to the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena. The Sky had a 13-point lead at halftime, but they were outscored 33-18 in the third quarter. Chicago briefly re-took the lead in the fourth before the Aces pulled away. Marina Mabrey had 22 points in the losing effort, and Elizabeth Williams chipped in with 17 points. The Sky is in ninth place in the WNBA at 13-and-21. Chicago visits Seattle on Sunday.