In a formal statement Monday, Peru Chief of Police Sarah Raymond says all law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation into the death of Jelani Day concur with the coroner’s determination that the cause of death is drowning, and the manner of death is currently undetermined. After an extensive multi-agency investigation, there are currently no active leads or further information to report. The task force will continue to solicit tips from the public, and the $10,000 reward for substantial information regarding Day’s final hours remains active.
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The La Salle City Council unanimously approved a new pathway and resurfacing project to improve the 52-acre Rotary Park on Monday night. A path would start off 2959th Road and include the Vermilionvue Subdivision. A parking lot is planned for a few blocks west of the subdivision, with the path ending at the southwestern edge of the lake. La Salle will pay $143,600 for the project; John Pohar and Sons will help offset the cost of the $255,800 project. The city also unanimously approved a $99,222 astroturf resurfacing project for the playground’s surface, which has deteriorated over the last 14 years.
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Officials are revealing more details about the deadly crash in Effingham County involving a semi-carrying ammonia. Authorities say the tanker was involved in a multi-vehicle crash Friday night on U.S. 40 near Teutopolis. The semi was carrying around 75 hundred gallons of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the accident, and early estimates indicate approximately four thousand gallons were released. Five people died as a result of exposure to the ammonia. The tanker has been drained, patched, and removed to a secure location pending an investigation by the NTSB. State police continue to investigate the cause of the accident.
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Governor Pritzker is pleading for more help from the federal government in dealing with the migrant crisis in Chicago. In a letter to President Biden, the governor said this humanitarian crisis is overwhelming the state’s ability to provide aid to the refugee population, adding that the aid Illinois has been providing to the asylum seekers hasn’t been matched with support by the federal government. Pritzker recommended the White House appoint a single person to
lead the migrant relief effort on the federal level and requested additional financial support.
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Nearly 250 workers at Ford’s stamping facility in Chicago Heights have been laid off. The layoffs come as employees at the nearby Chicago Assembly Plant are on strike. A total of 330 layoffs were announced between the Chicago Stamping Plant and the Lima Engine Plant in Ohio. Both facilities supply parts to Ford’s idled assembly plant in Chicago, where Ford employs about one thousand hourly workers.
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Utility bill assistance for natural gas, propane, and electricity has started through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Eligible families are encouraged to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – also known as LIHEAP. The program is for income-eligible households with seniors over the age of 60, Illinoisans with documented long-term disability, and/or children under the age of 6. All families who meet the qualifications and provide proper documentation will receive support until funding is exhausted. Application information is online at the website help-illinois-families-dot-com.
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There was an officer-involved shooting in Morris Friday morning. Morris Police Chief Alicia Steffes says that officers were called to the 1800 Block of Anne Lane for a report of a suicidal subject. When officers arrived, an armed and distraught subject was in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Officers shot and killed the subject. The case is under investigation by the Illinois State Police. More information will be released when available. The name of the individual who was shot has not been released.
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Ottawa Police charged 35-year-old Brandon Burnett of Ottawa on Sunday with driving on a suspended license, speeding, and no insurance after a traffic stop at East Norris Drive and Kendall Street. Burnett was released with a court date.
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30-year-old Audie M. Duffin of Ottawa is charged with driving on a suspended license after a stop by Ottawa Police in the 1500 block of Illinois 71 on Sunday. Duffin was released with a court date.
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A 19-year-old LaSalle man is charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, two counts of disobeying a stop sign, and expired registration. Ryan J. Kallas was stopped by Peru Police early Saturday morning. He was released with a court date.
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Garrett Bennett faces multiple charges after being stopped by Ottawa Police at Old Chicago Road and East Norris Drive on Saturday. The 29-year-old Marseilles man has two counts of driving under the influence, speeding, no insurance, improper lane usage, and illegal possession of cannabis by a driver in a motor vehicle. Bennett was released with a notice to appear.
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28-year-old Rory A. Waldrop of Ottawa has been charged with driving on a suspended license and failure to signal when required after being stopped by Ottawa Police on Friday in the 1600 block of Champlain Street. He was released on a notice to appear in court.
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A traffic reminder ahead of the 53rd Burgoo this weekend in Utica. No parking is allowed along Illinois 178. Handicap-accessible parking is at the east end of the Canal Street parking lot. Look for street closure information on the free website 1430wcmy.com and 1430 WCMY on Facebook.
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WEATHER:
Today – Sunny, with a high near 88. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight – Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Emily Slonek, 37, of Ottawa, passed away at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the 4th, at St. Columba Church in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. before the service. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys golf
Zellers advances at Sherrard: At Frye Lake, Marquette senior Carson Zellers fired a seventh-place 80 – one stroke better than the individual cutoff – to advance to this weekend’s Class 1A IHSA State Finals from the Sherrard Sectional on Monday.
Ottawa’s Drake Kaufman placed 3rd, shooting even par (72) at the Freeport 2A Sectional and advancing to the State tournament. The Pirates narrowly missed advancing as a team (322) with a 5th-score playoff against Burlington Central.
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Girls golf
Seneca 6th at Pontiac: At Wolf Creek Golf Course, Seneca placed sixth with a 391, while freshman Piper Stenzel qualified for the Class 1A State Finals with a 12th-place individual finish, carding a 91.
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Boys soccer
Sycamore 3, Ottawa 0: At Sycamore, the Pirates (10-8-2, 3-7) fell in an Interstate 8 Conference match to the Spartans.
Byron 3, Sandwich 1: At Byron, Kayden Page scored on a penalty kick, and John Carlson made 23 saves for the Indians in the loss to the Tigers.
Earlville 1, DePue-Hall 0: At Earlville, Trenton Fruit scored off an assist from Easton Fruit to lift the Red Raiders to the win over the Little Giants in the opening round of the Little Ten Conference Tournament.
Indian Creek 3, Serena 2 (PKs): At Waterman, the Huskers and Indian Creek were tied 2-2 after regulation and overtime before the Timberwolves won 3-2 in a shootout in the opening round of the LTC Tournament.
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Girls volleyball
Ottawa 2, Mendota 0: At Kingman Gym in Ottawa, the Pirates picked up a 25-18, 25-9 victory over the Spikers.
Fieldcrest 2, Marquette 0: At Minonk, the Knights improved to 21-4 on the season with the win over the Crusaders.
Leland 2, IMSA 0: At Leland, the Panthers opened the LTC Tournament with a 25-12, 25-13 victory over the Titans.
Seneca 2, Wilmington 1: At Seneca, the Fighting Irish improved to 15-6 on the season with a 19-25, 25-19, 25-19 win over the Wildcats
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PRO SPORTS:
>>Claypool To Miss Thursday Game
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears will be without wide receiver Chase Claypool for a second straight week. Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters yesterday that Claypool will not be at the team facility this week and won’t suit up for Week Five. Claypool was a healthy scratch in Week Four, and he didn’t even attend Chicago’s 31-28 loss to Denver on Sunday. The 25-year-old has four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown in three games this season. Chicago visits the Commanders on Thursday night.
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>>Blackhawks Host Red Wings
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks continue preseason play with a game against the Detroit Red Wings at United Center tonight. The Hawks are coming off a 6-1 loss to the Red Wings in Detroit on Sunday. Chicago is 1-1-and-1 to begin exhibition play this preseason.
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>>Cubs Prospect Earns MiLB Award
(Chicago, IL) — The Cubs have the best defensive prospect in baseball. Minor League Baseball named outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong as the Defensive Player of the Year for all minor league levels yesterday. Crow-Armstrong played at both Double-A and Triple-A this past season, and his defensive prowess earned him a late call-up to the Cubs. He played in 13 games but didn’t register a hit in 14 at-bats.