The FAA is investigating after a small plane landed on I-80 just after 5 p.m. Monday. State police say the aircraft landed on westbound lanes of I-80 near mile marker 95, just west of the Marseilles exit. The pilot moved the plane onto the shoulder of the roadway to keep the outside westbound lane open. The pilot was the only person onboard and no injuries were reported. The aircraft was reportedly forced to land because it ran out of fuel. The westbound lanes were closed as the plane was refueled and positioned on the pavement for a takeoff to return to an airport about 30 miles away.
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The village of Utica is using a $1.25-million-dollar Rebuild Illinois Downtown and Main Street grant from 2022, paired with the village match of 250,000 dollars, to create “The Shoppes at Mill Street Market” at the location of the 2004 tornado-destroyed Milestone Restaurant and Lounge. The plans are for 12 seasonal, portable stalls to be constructed that could be moved in case of flooding. Mayor David Stewart is planning a tentative October open house to discuss extending the Mill Street Beautification program a block north to include the old tavern site and the old fire station across the street.
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The LaSalle County Health Department will be offering walk-in flu vaccination clinics during the next few weeks at the Health Department on the Etna Road Government Complex. Flu vaccines for seniors over 65 as well as children age six months through 18 years of age who have Medicaid are available. The fee for the seasonal flu shot will be $25 dollars. The high-dose flu shot will be 60 dollars. Insurance billing and cash payment are accepted. No doctor’s order is needed. More information is on the LaSalle County Health Department website at lasallecountyIL.gov.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Environment Protection Agency (IEPA), and the Illinois Department of Agriculture have terminated statewide testing for organochlorine pesticides in fish from Illinois lakes and rivers. Since 1974 the state has been testing for DDT and comparable chemicals because they are “environmentally persistent” and can build up in the tissues of fish and other animals. But in the last 50 years, these pesticide levels have diminished to near zero, permitting the state to discontinue chemical testing.
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Illinoisans who own firearms that can’t be sold in the state will be allowed to keep them. The Illinois State Police filed an emergency rule with the Secretary of State to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which regulates the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. The Act went into effect in January after Governor Pritzker signed it into law. However, the law provides an exception for Illinoisans who already owned those types of firearms before it went into effect. Those individuals are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their FOID card account before January 1st. They can begin doing so online on October 1st.
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Illinois House Democrats are dropping a Washington, D.C. public relations firm under fire for working with former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Madigan hired SKDK for guidance in 2018 as his office faced sexual harassment allegations. At the same time, the firm was providing support to a former Madigan campaign worker who accused him of retaliating against her when she reported that her direct supervisor had harassed her. As a result, current Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch decided to cut ties with SKDK, saying House Democrats are “allies for women, for victims, and survivors.”
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This is National Child Passenger Safety Week, and on Saturday IDOT will have 92 car seat events statewide where technicians will provide instruction on installing and using car seats correctly. The National High Traffic Safety Administration says nearly half of all care seats are misused.
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Governor JB Pritzker has declared this to be the 10th annual Rail Safety Week in Illinois. Operation Lifesaver, a national rail safety non-profit, will be conducting a week-long safety blitz across the state to keep motorists and pedestrians aware of the dangers presented by railroad crossings.
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U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin have announced $10 million in federal funding for the Illinois Pathways to Partnerships Program. Partnerships with state agencies and Centers for Independent Living will support independent living and professional development for children aged 10-24 with disabilities. The funding is through the U.S. Department of Education’s Disability Innovation Fund and federally funded Centers for Independent Living and will help provide students with disabilities education, skills training, and career choices.
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University of Illinois Police are investigating after a student was drugged at a frat party in the early hours of Sunday. The female student was handed two open drinks by other party attendees. After consuming them, she began to feel physical effects that led her to believe that a substance other than alcohol had been added to the drink. The student went home and called the police before going to the hospital for medical evaluation.
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Ottawa Police arrested 39-year-old Julia Mendez of Streator Saturday on the Southside at Center and Christie Streets on outstanding warrants from Grundy and Will Counties. She was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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59-year-old Dean Thomas Donnelly of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Saturday at 725 Fulton Street on a charge of criminal trespass to property.
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A 32-year-old Ottawa man was charged with domestic battery Saturday at an apartment at 606 East McKinley Road. He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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36-year-old Cassandra Ann Ainsworth of Streator faces charges of driving under the influence and disobeying a traffic control device after being stopped by Ottawa Police Saturday night at Columbus and Post Streets. She was released with a notice to appear.
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Nicole Konopinski was picked up by Ottawa Police last Friday on a failure to appear warrant on a fraud charge. The 44-year-old Ottawa woman was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Ottawa Firemen responded to an alarm from 200 West Stevenson Road just after 9:00 p.m. Sunday. An electrical arc had occurred. There was no smoke. Ameren crews handled the problem. Later Sunday, after 10:00 p.m., firemen went to 900 Paul Street and discovered cigarette smoke activated an alarm.
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WEATHER:
Today
Cloudy with Periods of rain this morning. Rain returns this afternoon with thunder possible. High 77F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Tonight
A few clouds, storm return around 10 pm. Low 59F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Mary Jane (Rutherford) Rohr, 82, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, September 9. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls volleyball
Streator 2, St. Bede Academy 1: At Pops Dale Gymnasium in Streator, the Bulldog Spikers picked up a comeback 15-25, 25-20, 25-13 victory over the Bruins.
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Marquette Academy 2, Flanagan-Cornell 0: At Bader Gymnasium in Ottawa, the Crusaders earned a 25-20, 25-20 win over the Falcons.
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Woodland 2, Lexington 1: At Lexington, the Warriors (11-5) bounced back after dropping the opening set to defeat the host Minutemen 24-26, 25-23, 25-2
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Seneca 2, Reed-Custer 1: At Seneca, the Fighting Irish improved to 13-5 on the season with the 20-25, 25-11, 25-16 triumph over the Comets.
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Newark 2, Aurora Central Catholic 1: At Newark, the Norsemen improved to 16-2 on the season with the 23-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory over the Chargers.
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Girls golf
Kaneland 194, Roanoke-Benson 201, Ottawa 205: At Deer Park Golf Club, the Pirates finished behind the Knights and Rockets.
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Boys soccer
Morris 1, Ottawa 0: At Morris, the visiting Pirates (9-5-1, 2-3) fell in the Interstate 8 Conference match.
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Mendota 8, Streator 0: At James Street Recreation Area, the Bulldogs (4-7-1) fell in the match against the unbeaten Trojans (13-0-1).
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Earlville 3, Indian Creek 1: At Earlville, Griffin Cook scored all three goals for the Red Raiders in the LTC triumph over the Timberwolves.
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Woodstock North 10, Sandwich 1: At Sandwich, the Indians dropped the Kishwaukee River Conference match to the Thunder.
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Girls tennis
Ottawa 5, Streator 0: At the SHS courts, the Pirates (5-2) defeated the Bulldogs in a resumption of a match suspended by rain two weeks ago.
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JV girls volleyball
St. Bede 2, Streator 0: At Pops Dale Gym in Streator, the Bullpups dropped a 25-18, 25-22 decision to the Bruins
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PRO SPORTS:
>>White Sox Beat Nationals
(Washington, DC) — The White Sox racked up 15 hits during a 6-1 win over the Nationals in Washington. Tim Anderson had four hits in the victory, while Luis Robert Jr. added a three-run home run. Mike Clevinger went the distance, earning his eighth win after striking out seven and giving up just six hits in nine innings of one-run ball. The Southsiders have won two of three and are in fourth place in the AL Central at 58-and-93. Jose Urena starts for Chicago against Washington tonight.
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>>Cubs Host Pirates
(Chicago, IL) — The Cubs will try to stop their free-fall when they begin a home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field tonight. The Cubs are barely holding onto the final NL Wild Card spot after dropping eight of their last ten games. The 78-and-72 Cubs are just percentage points ahead of Cincinnati in the playoff chase. Javier Assad starts for Chicago tonight.
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>>Bears Prepare For Chiefs
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are spending the week gearing up for a game against the reigning Super Bowl champions. The Bears visit the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday. Chicago is 0-and-2 after losing to Green Bay in Week One and falling to Tampa Bay this past Sunday. Justin Fields has struggled throwing the football during his third professional season, but he’ll try to right the ship in a duel against Patrick Mahomes.