A report of a young boy running out of Wallace School north of Ottawa and into a nearby cornfield triggered a search by various emergency response agencies Wednesday afternoon. The youngster was found safe at about 5:00 pm near North 32nd and East 16th roads about a mile southeast of the school. The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Wallace Fire, Ottawa Police, Illinois State Police, and other agencies.
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During the Public Hearing portion of Tuesday night’s special Ottawa City Council meeting, the North Central Illinois Council of Governments presented the application for a Community Development Block Grant Business Resilience Program. The Ottawa City Council had previously voted to take the lead in making the grant application on behalf of all communities in LaSalle County since the grant program limited each county to one application. The application being submitted is asking for a $213,947 grant to reimburse businesses for purchased or rented durable, permanent, or semi-permanent equipment needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 16 businesses within LaSalle County are determined to have qualified for the grant funds.
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The City of Ottawa is announcing some temporary street closures for next week. Beginning Tuesday, September 5th, the 100 block of West Madison Street in Ottawa will be resurfaced and closed to all traffic and parking from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, the eastbound lane and parking on the south side of the 200 block of West Madison from the alley to LaSalle Street will be closed. And, the 600 block of Court Street from Main to Madison will be closed to traffic and parking. Expect delays, as well, on southbound LaSalle Street as the traffic light at Madison and LaSalle will be a flashing red to allow construction equipment access.
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Regional Schools Superintendent Chris Dvorak says his office has applications for the ARPA Reverse Scholarship. The federal grant funds are distributed through the LaSalle County Board. Three types of scholarships are available including a Reverse Scholarship to mental health professionals working within the county. Also offered is a Traditional Scholarship offered to college students who may be completing a license in social work and mental health professions over the next two years. The third scholarship is for active and
prospective students at Illinois Valley Community College enrolled in programs that are in shortage work areas for the region. More information on the Regional Education Office website, https://rohe35.org
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More incidents of swatting calls are being reported by schools across the state. The latest was in the northwest suburbs. Carpentersville’s Dundee Crown High School was placed on lockdown after school officials received a call yesterday, making a serious threat against the school. Authorities responded and searched the campus and determined that the threat wasn’t real.
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First Lady Jill Biden is gathering union support in Chicago ahead of Labor Day weekend. The first lady spoke yesterday to the Chicago Federation of Laborers, calling them the backbone of the country. Biden said unions are at the center of President Biden’s economic plan, “Bidenomics.” She credited his administration with creating millions of jobs, lowering unemployment, rebuilding roads, and expanding clean energy and manufacturing.
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O’Hare and Midway Airports are ready to welcome nearly one point six million travelers over Labor Day weekend. O’Hare is expected to see a seven-percent increase in passengers as compared to Labor Day weekend last year. At Midway, travel is about on par with 2022. The busiest travel day for both airports will be Labor Day. And, a lot of holiday weekend vacationers will take to the highways. The Illinois Toll Highway Authority says over 7 million vehicles are expected to use the East-West Tollway, the Northwest Tollway, the Veterans Memorial Tollway, and the Tri-State Tollway.
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Two men and four children are hospitalized after a shooting on Peoria’s south side. Police say the shooting happened around nine o’clock last night in a residential neighborhood, where authorities found five people with gunshot wounds and one with a laceration. Two of the victims, including one juvenile, are currently listed in critical condition.
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Streator Police are investigating a stolen vehicle report from late Wednesday afternoon. A 1999 red Chevrolet Silverado was reported missing from 2416 North Bloomington Street.
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Just after midnight on Thursday, 52-year-old Annette M. Lauffer of Marseilles was arrested by Mendota Police at Washington and 14th Avenue for driving on a suspended license. She was released with a notice to appear in court.
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56-year-old Steven King of LaSalle faces a charge of criminal trespass. King was arrested by Ottawa Police Tuesday at Wal-Mart. He posted a bond and was released with a court date.
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Ottawa Firefighters responded to a call late Monday afternoon from Marquette Academy High School. Burned popcorn activated the alarm.
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A fire alarm from 400 East Washington Street in Ottawa sent Ottawa Firemen to the scene Monday night. Cooking smoke activated a smoke detector.
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Today – Sunny, with a high near 79. North wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the morning.
Tonight – Clear, with a low around 51. East wind around 5 mph.
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OBITS:
Robert J. Pillion, 81, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, August 25, at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be Today at 10:30 a.m. at St. Columba Church. Burial will follow in St. Columba Cemetery.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys golf
Ottawa 141, Morris 169: At Deer Park Golf Club, the Pirates, behind medalist Drake Kaufman’s 2-under 33, defeated Morris in an Interstate 8 Conference dual meet Wednesday.
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Fieldcrest 173, Marquette 177: At Deer Park on Monday, the Crusaders’ Carson Zellers and Daniel Hoffman each carded 41s in the loss to the Knights.
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Boys soccer
Streator 8, Cornerstone Christian 1: At Bloomington, the Bulldogs win over the Cyclones.
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Kaneland 7, Ottawa 0: At Maple Park, the Pirates dropped the Interstate 8 match to the Knights
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Earlville 2, IMSA 0: At Aurora, the Red Raiders posted the shutout against the Titans to open the Little Ten Conference season.
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Indian Creek 2, Serena 1: At Serena, the Huskers fell in their LTC opener to the Timberwolves to fall to 3-2 overall on the season.
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Girls volleyball
Woodland def. Cornerstone Christian 14-25, 25-16, 25-21: At rural Streator, the Warriors bounced back after dropping the opening set to defeat the Cyclones.
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Ashton-Franklin Center def. Leland 25-23, 25-12: At Leland, the Panthers dropped a two-set match to the visiting Raiders.
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Cross country
Sandwich competes at Sycamore Invite: The Sandwich girls finished sixth and the boys 15th at Monday’s Sycamore Invite at Kishwaukee College in Malta.
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PRO SPORTS:
>>White Sox Crush Orioles Pitchers
(Baltimore, MD) — The Chicago White Sox pounded out 15 hits and smashed three home runs during a 10-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Baltimore scored four runs in the bottom of the first to get out to an early lead, but Andrew Vaughn and Oscar Colas each hit two-run home runs in the next half-inning to tie the game. Luis Robert sparked a three-run third with a solo home run that put the Southsiders up for good. Dylan Cease was credited with his sixth win after striking out seven and allowing five runs on six hits in six innings. Chicago avoided being swept by Baltimore with the win. The Sox are in fourth place in the AL Central at 53-and-81. Touki Toussaint starts for Chicago against the Tigers tomorrow night.
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>>Cubs Edge Brewers In Finale To Win Series
(Chicago, IL) — The Cubs claimed their series against the rival Brewers following a 3-2 victory in the finale from Wrigley. The score was tied at two runs apiece in the eighth inning until Cody Bellinger drove in the go-ahead run on an infield single. Adbert Alzolay was credited with the win in relief after pitching one-and-one-third scoreless innings. Ian Happ and Dansby Swanson also knocked in runs for Chicago, which improved to 71-and-62. The Cubbies are just three games behind the Brew Crew for first place in the NL Central. Chicago has a double-header against Cincinnati tomorrow.
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>>Bears Claim Three Players
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Chicago Bears aren’t finished finalizing their 53-man roster. Chicago made three waiver claims yesterday, signing defensive end Khalid Kareem, defensive back Quindell Johnson, and wide receiver Trent Taylor. Kareem has just one sack in his three seasons, while Taylor caught six passes for 62 yards and a touchdown with Cincinnati last year. Johnson has not played in a regular season game. The Bears open the regular season against the Packers on September 10th.