Bail is denied for the Will County landlord accused of killing a six-year-old boy and injuring his mother for being Muslim. Joseph Czuba appeared in court yesterday on charges of murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and committing a hate crime. Czuba is accused of stabbing the 6-year-old to death after attacking his mother Saturday at their home in Plainfield Township. Hundreds attended the boy’s funeral on Monday. Earlier in the day, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the Justice Department was opening a federal hate crimes investigation into the incident. Prosecutors say Czuba had been listening to conservative talk radio and becoming “heavily interested” in the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas before the deadly attack.
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The La Salle County Health Department will have a Walk-In Flu Vaccination Clinic next Tuesday, the 24th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Health Department on East Etna Road in the county governmental complex. No appointment or doctor’s order is needed. The Seasonal Flu Vaccine, Flu High Dose Vaccine for people 65 and older, and vaccines for children six months through 18 years of age will be available. Each regular flu shot is $25; the Flu High Dose shot is $60.00. Cash, insurance billing, and Medicare are accepted with an insurance card and photo ID.
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The LaSalle County Highway Department says road construction beginning next Monday, October 23rd will close a portion of North 24th Road in Grand Rapids Township. Culvert replacement will close North 24th about 2 and ¾ miles west of Illinois 23. The project should take about a month.
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The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is warning residents to be aware of deer while driving. It is deer mating season, which means deer become more active, mainly at dawn and dusk through December. Last year, there were more than 14-thousand crashes involving deer in Illinois. Cook County had the most deer-related crashes in 2022 with 542.
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One person is dead following a crash over the weekend in Lee County. Authorities say the single-vehicle accident happened Saturday on Tower Road, near the intersection of Green Wing Road in Sublette. A black GMC Terrain had gone off the road, leaving Anthony Barna of Bridgeview, Illinois dead at the scene. The crash is still under investigation.
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A 37-year-old Spring Valley woman faces charges of driving under the influence and endangering the life or health of a child after a stop by Peru Police Friday evening at about 6:00. Christina A. Azarskis was the driver involved in a single-vehicle accident at 4th and Pine Street. She was released with a court date.
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49-year-old Torricelo Embry of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police in the 1400 block of Columbus Street on Sunday for operating an uninsured vehicle, criminal trespass to state property, and driving while intoxicated. Embry was taken to the La Salle County Jail.
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Sunday, Ottawa Police arrested 28-year-old Derek Wireman at a residence on 19th Avenue in Naplate for harassment by electronic communication. Wireman was released and was given a notice to appear.
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Ottawa Police stopped 25-year-old Savana K. Phelps of Tonica at Interstate 80 and Columbus Street on Sunday for driving with a suspended license. Phelps was released with a notice to appear.
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Saturday just after 8:00 a.m., Ottawa Fire was dispatched to 400 E. Washington, Room 1-S, for a carbon monoxide investigation. No carbon monoxide was found after a check of the room and the rest of the building.
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Sunday evening around 7:00, Peru Police arrested 39-year-old Laura A. Muzzarelli at 2215 10th Street in Peru, for attempted theft under $500. Following an investigation, Muzzarelli was given a notice to appear in court. Late that night, just before 2:00 a.m. Monday, Peru Police returned to the same 10th Street address and charged Muzzarelli with criminal trespass. She was issued another notice to appear in court.
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37-year-old Sergio A. Gutierrez Ramirez was stopped in the 1400 block of Columbus Street by Ottawa Police on Monday for driving under the influence, with no insurance, improper lane usage, and illegal transportation of alcohol. Gutierrez was released with a notice to appear.
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Early last Friday afternoon, Peru Police arrested 43-year-old Jennifer A. Showen of La Salle, at the Walmart in Peru, for retail theft under $300. Showen was released on a notice to appear.
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A 19-year-old Newark man suffered minor injuries in a single-vehicle accident near Illinois 71 and East 2153rd Road in Ottawa Township last Thursday. Aidan Kath lost control of his vehicle and overturned in a ditch. Kath was charged by LaSalle County Deputies with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, improper lane usage, and driving under the influence. He was a notice to appear in court.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
Areas of patchy fog early. Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 63F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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Tuesday Night
Mainly clear. Low 43F. Winds are light and variable.
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OBITUARIES:
Leonard J. Ostrowski, 85, of Ottawa passed away on Thursday, October 12th, at home. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, the 19th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Funeral prayer will be recited at 10 a.m. on Friday, the 20th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, IL with Full Military Honors.
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JoAnn Mae Richardson Neil, 88 years old of Ottawa passed away on Saturday, October 14th. Visitation will be Thursday, from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Ottawa Funeral Home. A mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Columba Church in Ottawa, and burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery.
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Marie Monheim 68, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, October 11, at St.Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford. A visitation will be at the Ottawa Funeral Home this Saturday, October 21st, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:30 p.m. at St. Columba Church. Her burial will be at St. Columba Cemetery following Mass.
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Patricia E. (Young) Finley, 84, of Mendota, passed away on Sunday, October 15th, at Stonecroft Village in Mendota. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 23rd, at Waltham Presbyterian Church. Burial will be at Waltham Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church.
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HIGH SCHOOL LOCAL SPORTS:
Marquette
The possibility of hosting a first-round playoff game in the Class 1A field will be on the line with Friday’s visit to Dwight, even with a win the Crusaders might find themselves on the road in Week 10. Our featured game of the week on Friday will pit your Marquette Crusaders against the Dwight Trojans at Dwight.
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Volleyball
Streator 2, East Peoria 0: At East Peoria, the Bulldog Spikers earned a win over the Raiders on Monday.
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Woodland 2, LaMoille 0: At LaMoille, the Warriors improved to 18-8 on the season with a triumph over the Lions.
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Seneca 2, Serena 0: At Serena, the Fighting Irish topped the Huskers to improve to 22-9 on the season.
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Earlville 2, Hiawatha 0: At Earlville, the Red Raiders defeated the Hawks in the Little Ten Conference match.
La Salle-Peru 2, Sterling 0: The Cavaliers won the nonconference victory in La Salle.
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Putnam County 2, Henry-Senachwine 1: The Panthers earned a victory in a Tri-County Conference match in Henry.
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St. Bede 2, Midland 0: The Bruins earned a victory in a Tri-County Conference match in Peru.
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Woodland 2, LaMoille 0: The Lions lost in a nonconference match in LaMoille.
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GIRLS SWIMMING
At Morrison: The La Salle-Peru co-op swept the relays to win a five-team meet.
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PRO SPORTS:
>>Second Period Outburst Leads Blackhawks Past Maple Leafs
(Toronto, ON) — The Blackhawks scored three goals in the second period of their 4-1 win over the Maple Leafs in Toronto. MacKenzie Entwistle scored in the third minute of the frame to give Chicago an early lead. After Toronto tied the game, Corey Perry and Tyler Johnson both scored to put the Hawks up by two heading into the third period. Taylor Raddysh added a goal in the final seconds of regulation. Chicago is tied for first place in the Central Division with four points at 2-2-and-0. The Hawks visit the Avalanche on Thursday night.
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>>Fields Doubtful For Game Against Raiders
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears probably won’t have their star quarterback for their Week Seven game against the Las Vegas Raiders. X-rays confirmed that Justin Fields dislocated his thumb during Chicago’s 19-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that there is no timetable for Fields’ return, adding that it will all come down to when the quarterback will be able to grip the football again. Tyson Bagent filled in for Fields during Sunday’s loss, and he’s in line to make his first career NFL start if Fields can’t go this weekend. Chicago hosts Las Vegas on Sunday.
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>>Bulls Sign Former Lottery Pick
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls are adding a former number-three overall pick to their roster. The team signed forward Derrick Favors to a contract yesterday. The 32-year-old was a lottery pick during the 2010 NBA Draft. He last played in the NBA two seasons ago. He averaged five-point-three points and four-point-seven rebounds in 39 games with the Thunder that season. Chicago also added forward Kahlil Whitley with a camp contract yesterday. The Bulls host the Raptors in preseason tonight.