The Ottawa Visitor Center’s second-annual Smoketoberfest event is Saturday from Noon until 5:00 in the Jordan Block on the 100 block of West Main Street. Competitors will vie for trophies in several barbecue categories. In addition to music entertainment, a pig roast meal will be available for $25.00 and includes pulled pork, cornbread, baked beans, and cole slaw. More information is online at pick-us-ottawa-i-l-dot-com. Meanwhile, the LaSalle County Historical Society’s 53rd annual Burgoo is Saturday and Sunday in downtown Utica. Saturday features the Utica Fire Department’s car show, along with entertainment and shopping. Burgoo stew sales begin at 9:00 Sunday morning, and craft and antique vendors will ring the entire downtown area, along with live entertainment. There’s more online at lasalle-county-historical-society-dot-org.
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The 45th running of the Chicago Marathon takes place this weekend. Thousands of runners will be competing in Sunday’s race. The marathon will start and finish in Grant Park and travel through 29 neighborhoods. Runners from 50 states and 100 countries are expected to compete in the 26-point-two-mile race.
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A 34-year-old Streator man was arrested by LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies Thursday evening at B&R Grocery at 1123 North Otter Creek after a call regarding two individuals causing a disturbance. Deandre Jackson was charged with violating an order of protection and was also issued a no-trespassing warning. Jackson was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A two-vehicle accident with minor injuries occurred in Mission Township early Wednesday morning. LaSalle County Deputies say 56-year-old Vincent Brand of Millington failed to yield the right of way at U.S. 52 and East 30th Road causing a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Kennedy Perry of Chicago to strike the back left corner of the other vehicle. Brand was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A Chicago man is in the LaSalle County Jail after being arrested by Streator Police Thursday on an outstanding warrant for domestic battery out of Rockford. 50-year-old George Kriticos is in the LaSalle County Jail.
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A 20-year-old Streator woman was arrested by Streator Police Thursday on a Livingston County warrant for failure to appear in court for a charge of possession of cannabis in a motor vehicle. Chloe Reed posted bond and was given a new court date.
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Ottawa firefighters handled a call regarding a possible transformer explosion around noontime on Wednesday near the top of the Columbus Street hill. Fuses had tripped, but nothing was burning. A tree branch that was lying on multiple power lines was smoking. Ameren crews were called in to cut down the branch and the fire department soaked the branch with water to prevent fire.
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Mendota Police charged 27-year-old Hailey Atherton of Dixon Wednesday evening with driving on a suspended license after a traffic stop near U.S. 52 and East First Road. Atherton was released with a court date.
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Former Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald is suing the university and its president for 130 million dollars for wrongful termination. Attorney Dan Webb announced the lawsuit yesterday after Fitzgerald was suspended and then fired in July over allegations of hazing within the football program. The suit accuses Northwestern of breaching two legally binding contracts with the longtime coach. In response to the lawsuit announcement, the university released a statement saying Fitzgerald failed to stop the hazing and that they remain confident that they acted appropriately in terminating him.
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The federal government is assessing the migrant crisis in Chicago. Officials with the Department of Homeland Security met with some City Council members yesterday to witness the severity of the ongoing crisis. Federal officials say the DHS team is in town to identify ways the City and the federal government can improve efficiencies and maximize resources. The visit comes as busloads of migrants are being sent to Chicago from Texas daily.
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The Illinois State Police is thanking the public for helping them identify the vehicle and driver believed to have been involved in the deadly ammonia tanker crash last week in Effingham County. Authorities say the multi-vehicle crash happened a week ago on U.S. Highway 40 near the town of Teutopolis. A semi-truck spilled four thousand gallons of ammonia, resulting in the deaths of five people. Authorities determined that a dark-colored vehicle involved in the wreck continued traveling through Teutopolis on Highway 40. Police did not release the identity of the driver.
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WEATHER:
Today – A mix of clouds and sun early followed by cloudy skies this afternoon. High around 60F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts are possible.
Tonight – Partly cloudy skies. Low 42F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Marcella Weygand, 88, of Naplate, passed away October 4th, at La Salle County Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be today, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at noon at the funeral home. She will be entombed in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.
William Charles Krause, 82 of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday evening, October 1ST, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at noon tomorrow at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.
William A. Durdan, 85 of Grand Ridge passed away Wednesday morning October 4th, at his home surrounded by his family. A visitation will be held This Sunday from 3 – 6 PM with a prayer service at 6 PM at the Grand Ridge Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10:30 AM at St. Mary of the Fields Church, Grand Ridge. Burial will be in the St. Stephen’s Cemetery in Streator.
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HIGH SCHOOL LOCAL SPORTS:
Football
Marquette Vs. Seneca – Our featured Friday night game of the week tonight. Hear Isaac Missle, And Andrew Evola on the call. With Tony B back at the WCMY studios. 6:45ish pre-game and a 7 p.m. kick-off. Right here on your official Crusaders football station!
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Girls Tennis
The OHS f/s girls tennis team completed their season last night with a 2-3 loss to Morris
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Girls volleyball
Ottawa 2, Morris 1: At Morris, the Pirates picked up a win in Interstate 8 Conference play.
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Peotone 2, Streator 1: At Pops Dale Gymnasium, the Bulldogs lost the Illinois Central Eight Conference decision to the visiting Blue Devils.
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Seneca 2, Lowpoint-Washburn 0: At Washburn, the Fighting Irish picked up a 25-10, 25-13 TCC win over the Wildcats.
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Boys soccer
DePue-Hall 2, Serena 1: At Hinckley, the Huskers fell to the Little Giants in the consolation championship match of the Little Ten Conference Tournament.
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JV girls tennis
Morris 3, Ottawa 2: At Morris, the Corsairs received singles victories from No. 1 Brooklyn Byone and No. 2 Caitlyn Trettenero in the road loss to wrap up the season.
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PRO SPORTS:
>>Dick Butkus Dead At Age 80
(Malibu, CA) — Bears legend and NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus has died at the age of 80. The team released a statement from the Butkus family that said he died peacefully in his sleep overnight at his Malibu, California home. The linebacker spent his entire career with the Bears after being drafted by the team in 1965, making eight Pro Bowls. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. After his playing career ended, Butkus went into the entertainment world, appearing in films such as “The Longest Yard,” “Gremlins 2: The New Batch,” and “Any Given Sunday.” He was also a regular character on shows such as “MacGyver” and “Hang Time.”
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>>Moore Shines To Lead Bears Over Commanders On TNF
(Landover, MD) — D.J. Moore put together a career night to lead the Bears over the Washington Commanders 40-20 on Thursday Night Football at FedEx Field. Moore totaled eight receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns to help Chicago earn its first win of the season. Bears QB Justin Fields also shined, completing 15-of-29 passes for 282 yards and four TDs. Cole Kmet added a touchdown for Chicago, while kicker Cairo Santos went 4-for-4 on field goal attempts. The Bears are at the bottom of the NFC North at 1-and-4. Chicago hosts Minnesota next Sunday.
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>>Blackhawks Lose To Wild In Preseason
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks weren’t able to get it done in the shootout during a 3-2 preseason loss against the Minnesota Wild at United Center. Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall both scored to give Chicago a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, but Minnesota tied the game in the final frame and won in the shootout. The Hawks are 2-1-and-2 in exhibition play. Chicago wraps up preseason with a road game against the St. Louis Blues tomorrow night.
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>>Bulls Begin Preseason
(Milwaukee, WI) — The Bulls open up preseason play with a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday. Chicago barely missed out on the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, losing to Miami in the Play-In Tournament. The Bulls will try to build on their 40-and-42 record as they head into the 2023-24 season.
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>>Notre Dame Visits Louisville
(Louisville, KY) — The number-11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish play a ranked team for the third week in a row when they visit number-25 Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium tomorrow night. Notre Dame is coming off a 21-14 win over number-21 last weekend. The Irish are 5-and-1 this season, and they’ve won their last two games against the Cardinals.
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>>Illini Host Nebraska
(Champaign, IL) — The Illinois Fighting Illini look to pick up their first conference win when they host Nebraska at Memorial Stadium tonight. The Illini are coming off a 44-19 loss to Purdue last weekend. Illinois is 2-and-3 overall and 0-and-2 in Big Ten play. The Illini have a three-game winning streak against Nebraska dating back to 2020. Tonight’s game kicks off at 7:00 PM.
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>>Northwestern Takes On Howard
(Evanston, IL) — The Northwestern Wildcats will try to get back in the win column when they host Howard at Ryan Field tomorrow. The Wildcats were crushed by number-six Penn State 41-13 in front of their home crowd last weekend. Northwestern is 2-and-3 overall and 1-and-2 in the Big Ten.
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In other college football action over the weekend, Illinois State hosts South Dakota State, and Northern Illinois is at Akron.