Former State Senator Gary Dahl of Peru is dead. The 82-year-old died Sunday at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Dahl was a Granville resident when he represented the 38th Senate District from 2004 until 2010. Senator Dahl was the chief sponsor behind a resolution in the Illinois Senate to officially recognize Pluto as a planet and to declare March 13, 2009, as “Pluto Day” in the state.
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All three Illinois Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives including 16th District Congressman Darin LaHood of Dunlap, who represents most of the southern half of LaSalle County, voted yesterday afternoon to oppose the removal of Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Along with LaHood, Representative Mary Miller of Effingham and Congressman Mike Bost of Murphysboro voted in favor of McCarthy remaining as Speaker of the House. An election for a new Speaker of the House is set to be held next Wednesday.
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Several fire departments responded to a MABAS call Tuesday morning to extinguish a fire at the Starved Rock hydroelectric power plant at Starved Rock Lock and Dam. The fire was extinguished by the Utica Fire Department after issuing the Mutual Aid call as a precaution.
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No one is hurt after a fire broke out inside Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois in Champaign. The incident happened last night when groundskeeping equipment caught fire inside the stadium. The fire was put out within 30 minutes. The Illini is set to host Nebraska at Memorial Stadium Friday night.
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Governor Pritzker is waiting on the federal government’s response to the migrant crisis in Chicago. The governor said the White House is going over a list of requests made in a letter he sent this week. Pritzker recommended the Biden administration appoint a single person to lead the migrant relief effort. He also asked for the president to use his executive power to waive fees for work authorization and provide financial aid.
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The Illinois State Police is trying to identify a vehicle possibly involved in the deadly crash last week in Effingham County involving a semi-truck carrying ammonia. Authorities say the multi-vehicle crash happened Friday night on U.S. Highway 40 near the town of Teutopolis. The semi-truck spilled four thousand gallons of ammonia, resulting in the deaths of five people. The initial investigation shows a dark-colored vehicle involved in the incident. Authorities determined the vehicle continued traveling through Teutopolis on Highway 40 and would have passed the tanker truck.
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This is “Banned Books Week” and the University of Chicago is expanding access to banned books for researchers and members of the public. The university will be consolidating dozens of “banned books” for its new collection, which will be digitized and made available online. The new collection is designed to address a rise in censorship attempts at libraries. Governor Pritzker signed a bill in June making Illinois the first state to outlaw book bans.
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Antisemitism appears to be on the rise in Illinois. A new report by the Anti-Defamation League shows Antisemitic Incidents increased by 128 percent last year as compared to 2021. Illinois also saw an increase in white supremacist propaganda distribution and hate crime incidents.
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A national test of the Emergency Alert System is this afternoon at 1:20 Central time. Officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency will trigger the message out of Washington to all radio and television broadcast stations, cable and satellite providers, and cellphone carriers. This is the second nationwide test involving cell phones and the seventh national test for broadcast stations. The test is expected to last from 30 seconds to one-minute.
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WEATHER:
Today – Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 83F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Tonight – Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Low 63F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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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. today 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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William Charles Krause, 82 of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday evening, October 1ST, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at noon, on Saturday, October 7, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
The Shepherd 7th Grade Lady Rams lost to Morris Saratoga 22-8. Averie Hazelwood had 5 points. 7th Grade is now 4-3.
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The Shepherd 8th Grade Lady Rams defeated Morris Saratoga 35-15. 8th Grade is now 6-1.
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Boys soccer
Earlville 3, Hinckley-Big Rock 2 (OT): At Hinckley, the Red Raiders advanced to Thursday’s championship match of the Little Ten Conference Tournament with the semifinal win in overtime over the rival Royals.
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Streator 3, Coal City 2 (SO): At Coal City
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Somonauk-Leland-Newark 9, Indian Creek 0: At Hinckley, the Bobcats rolled to the LTC Tournament win over the Timberwolves and will play Earlville in the championship match at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Hinckley.
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Girls volleyball
Ottawa 2, Kaneland 0: At Kingman Gym, the Pirates claimed a 27-25, 25-21 Interstate 8 Conference triumph over the Knights.
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Seneca 2, Henry-Senachwine 0: At Henry, the Fighting Irish swept the Tri-County Conference match 25-11, 25-10 against the Mallards.
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Girls tennis
Streator 3, Mendota 2: At the SHS Courts
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Boys cross country
IMSA 22, Sandwich 56, Ottawa 59: At Silver Spring State Park in Yorkville, the Titans ran to victory over the Indians and Pirates.-
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Girls cross country
Sandwich 21, Ottawa 34: At Silver Spring State Park in Yorkville, the Indians defeated the Pirates.
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Girls Swimming
La Salle-Peru co-op defeats Morris and BCC: At Morris
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PRO SPORTS:
>>Bears Add Veteran Defensive Back
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are adding some depth to their secondary. The team signed safety Duron Harmon off of Baltimore’s practice squad yesterday. Harmon has been in the NFL since 2013, and he won three Super Bowls as a part-time starter with New England. The 32-year-old spent last season with the Raiders. He had two interceptions and made 86 tackles in 16 starts. The Bears visit the Commanders tomorrow night.
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>>Blackhawks Beat Red Wings
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks scored a pair of goals in the third period of their 4-2 preseason win over the Detroit Red Wings at United Center. After Detroit tied the game at two early in the final frame, Corey Perry lit the lamp to give Chicago the lead. Connor Bedard scored his first preseason goal with just over a minute left in regulation to ice the game. Perry had two goals in the victory, and Connor Murphy also found the back of the net. Chicago is 2-1-and-1 in exhibition play. The Hawks host the Wild tomorrow night.
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>>Bulls’ Lonzo Ball Will Continue Playing Career
(Chicago, IL) — Lonzo Ball isn’t worried about his NBA career. The Bulls guard said that he will play again after undergoing several left knee surgeries in the last two years. Ball was already ruled out for the 2023-24 season after undergoing a cartilage transplant in March. The 25-year-old point guard also missed all of last season and hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14th, 2022. Ball signed a four-year, 80-million-dollar contract with the Bulls in 2021 after previously playing for the Lakers and Pelicans.
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>>White Sox Fire Two Coaches
(Chicago, IL) — The White Sox are making some changes to their coaching staff. The club fired hitting coach Jose Castro and first-base coach Daryl Boston yesterday. Additionally, assistant hitting coach Chris Johnson will be reassigned to another role in the organization. The firings come just days after the Southsiders completed their worst season since 1970, finishing with a 61-and-101 record.
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>>Report: Alonso Wants To Come To Cubs
(Chicago, IL) — The Cubs might try to acquire an All-Star first baseman during the offseason. ESPN writer Jesse Rogers is reporting that the Cubs want to swing a deal for Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, adding that Alonso also wants to be in Chicago. Rogers also said that Alonso would be willing to sign an extension with the team. The 28-year-old is entering his final season before free agency, and he hit .217 with 46 home runs and 118 RBI in 2023.