Man identified in fatal crash with a deer near Norway
21-year-old Arpankumar Patel of Ottawa was killed in an accident when his northbound vehicle struck a deer on Illinois Route 71 just north of Norway. The vehicle’s roof was completely removed by the collision. There were two additional passengers in his vehicle and they both were taken to Morris Hospital. They were identified as Nitinkumar Patel and Harsh Patel. The deer was hit by the southbound vehicle moments before the fatal crash.
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A brand-new building is finally rising at the site at 200 West Main Street in Ottawa. Nestled between Perfect Moments Event Shoppe Bakery and Ottawa Office Supply, the site is already taking shape. Mayor Robert Hasty said on the Jay LeSeure show Wednesday “that the first order of business was sorting out the downtown TIF fund that helps finance construction”. The city had to agree Tuesday night on restructuring the three-year-old downtown TIF agreement and extend it another 10 years. The basement was poured on Wednesday. The Mayor said, “The second floor will be the owner’s residence and the first floor will be retail”.
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Back on November 2nd Ottawa police received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots fired in the 1100 block of Pine Street. At about 2 am police secured the area and met with the homeowner who reported persons had forced their way into his house. Gunfire was exchanged with one of the suspects. Grundy County sheriff’s detectives then contacted Ottawa PD about a subject at the Morris Hospital being treated for gunshot wounds. Ottawa police collected evidence and came up with 22-year-old Fernando J Martinez as a suspect and reported their findings to the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s office. Martinez was arrested on November 13th after a brief foot chase by police.
A grand jury officially handed down charges of home invasion and unlawful possession of a weapon on Martinez.
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During the past few weeks, the La Salle Police Department has received several reports of vehicles being stolen/burglarized. All the vehicles were unsecured and most had the ignition key left in them.
The La Salle Police Department is encouraging all residents to secure their vehicles to deter these types of crimes. If you have seen any suspicious activity or have video surveillance footage that may assist in the ongoing investigation, you are encouraged to contact the La Salle Police Department at 815-223-2131.
Please take a minute to review these simple steps you can take to make it more difficult for suspects to take your vehicle and your belongings.
1. Lock your doors
2. Remove your keys from the vehicle
3. Do not leave a spare key in or near your vehicle
4. Roll up your windows
5. Park in well-lit areas
6. Leave a tracking device in the vehicle (Airtag)
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Emergency medical services (EMS) teams from Utica, Naplate, and Grand Ridge received an urgent call at approximately 6:15 am Wednesday to respond to an incident at the Ottawa Barge Terminal. According to dispatch reports, an individual had fallen off a barge and was found in the water near Dee Bennett Road. Unconfirmed reports say the man hit his head before falling into the water and was unable to swim. An unidentified man jumped into the river to rescue the man before emergency services arrived. We are still waiting on an official press release from the incident.
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16 large paintings of the life of Jesus Christ will be displayed in Ottawa’s Washington Square Park this Christmas season. Created in 1956 by the Ottawa Retail Merchants’ Association to keep Christ in Christmas, the 4-foot by 7-foot paintings depict Jesus’ birth, life, and ministry. Each painting is accompanied by a Scripture verse. The Ottawa Freedom Association has erected the paintings each year since 1992 after winning a lengthy court battle. On Saturday, December 2 at 6:30 a.m., The Ottawa Freedom Association, Ottawa Christian Men’s Group, and any who would like to help, will gather at the 1st Presbyterian Church for breakfast. Following breakfast, we will at meet 8:00 AM on the west side of Washington Park to erect the paintings.
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The City of Ottawa is calling on its residents to participate in a crucial survey that will pave the way for an application to the Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program. The initiative aims to improve housing conditions in low-to-moderate-income communities, offering eligible households a chance to receive grants for property improvements, rehabilitation, and retrofitting. These improvements could include electrical, plumbing, siding, windows, doors, gutters, roofing, HVAC, weatherization, and structural repairs. You can find more information on the 1430 WCMY website.
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The City of Ottawa Commissioner Marla Pearson announces that the Veterans Banners displayed this year may be picked up from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Thursday, November 30th in City Hall Council Chambers, 301 West Madison Street. Banners must be picked up by the applicant or the applicant’s appointee. Any questions please contact the City of Ottawa.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, to 12:01 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27. A full state-wide list can be found on the 1430 WCMY website.
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36-year-old John R Pierce of Streator was stopped by quick-thinking Ottawa police at 1st Avenue and Arche Street Tuesday. He was taken to La Salle County jail where he posted a 1,575 dollar bond for failure to appear on a Will County warrant for DUI.
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25-year-old Darrius April of Ottawa was charged by Ottawa Police Tuesday for running the Red Light at Joliet and LaSalle, driving on a suspended license with no insurance, and finally, obstructing a police officer. He was taken to La Salle County Jail.
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The Yesterday Once More: The Sound of Karen Carpenter concert in Ottawa featuring Joanne O’Brien has been canceled. The Ottawa Concert Association show was set to take place Sunday at Central Intermediate School but it was canceled because of an illness, concert organizers said on Wednesday. No word of if the concert is being rescheduled at a later date.
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WEATHER:
Thanksgiving Day
Sunny, with a high near 46. West southwest wind around 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 27. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Thomas G. Williams, age 67, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, November 18th, with his loving family at his side. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, the 25th, at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Interment will follow in St. Hyacinth Cemetery, LaSalle. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday the 24th at the funeral home.
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Carol Ann (Twait) Cook, 83, of Ottawa, passed away on November 21st, at Pleasant View Lutheran Home. Visitation will be held Monday, November 27th, at Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A memorial ceremony will follow at 5:00 pm at the funeral home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys basketball
Serena 52, Mendota 43: At the Seneca Turkey Tournament on Wednesday, the Huskers moved to 2-0 on the season ahead of Friday’s final pool-play game against Newark.
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Newark 41, St. Anne 31: At the Seneca Turkey Tournament, the Norsemen (1-1) picked up their first victory of the young season,
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Somonauk 43, Herscher 41: At the Seneca Turkey Tournament, Carson Bahrey (16 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double, while Weston Hannibal added 10 points in the victory for the Bobcats (1-1).
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Seneca 52, Hall 32: At the Seneca Turkey Tournament, the host Fighting Irish improved to 2-0 on the season.
Seneca plays Somonauk on Friday to conclude pool play.
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Yorkville 60, Sandwich 35: At the Strombom Tournament in Sycamore, the Indians dropped their season opener despite 17 points from Chance Lange and a 10-point, six-rebound performance from Dom Rome.
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Earlville 53, Grant Park 27: At the Route 17 Classic’s Dwight Pool, the Red Raiders (3-0) wrapped up a spot in Saturday’s 6:30 championship game at Woodland against Flanagan-Cornell with a comfortable victory.
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Ridgeview 67, St. Bede 60: Mason Ross scored 20 points as the Bruins came up short at the Route 17 Classic in Streator.
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On Wednesday, the Bureau Valley Storm put their lackluster, 51-49 loss to Annawan the night before behind them, giving a much better effort with attitude and play, defeating Putnam County, 50-38.
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Boys wrestling
Coal City 49, Sandwich 15; Joliet West 39, Sandwich 32; Sandwich 48, Marquette 29: At Coal City, Sandwich picked up one team victory in three matches.
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At Streator: La Salle-Peru opened the season by going 1-1 in a triangular, beating Streator (47-27) and losing to Plano (54-24).
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At Taylor Ridge: St. Bede went 0-2 in a triangular at Rockridge, losing to the host Rockets (46-22) and Monmouth-Roseville (36-33).
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
>>NFL Week 12 Thanksgiving Day Preview
A Turkey Day tradition brings the NFL together to kick off the holiday season. Three games on Thanksgiving, followed by the first-ever NFL game on Black Friday, will get things started in Week 12. The Detroit Lions begin the day with a battle against the Green Bay Packers. The second Thanksgiving Day game features the Washington Commanders at the Dallas Cowboys. A pair of NFC West rivals will face each other to end Thanksgiving when the Seattle Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers. Week 12 continues with the New York Jets hosting the AFC East-leading Miami Dolphins on Black Friday. The Los Angeles Chargers hope to snap a two-game skid when they host the Baltimore Ravens for Sunday Night Football. Monday night’s matchup has the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Chicago Bears.
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>>Bears Prepare For Vikings
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are gearing up for a Monday Night Football game against their divisional foes from Minnesota in Week 12. The Bears take on the Vikings next Monday in Minneapolis. Chicago already lost to Minnesota 19-13 earlier in the season. The Bears are in last place in the NFC North at 3-and-8.
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>>Slow Start Dooms Bulls
(Oklahoma City, OK) — They couldn’t find their offense in the first half of a 116-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Chicago had under 40 points at halftime, scoring just 14 in the first quarter. The Bulls never led during the contest. DeMar DeRozan led the team with 25 points in the losing effort, while Coby White chipped in with 23. The Bulls are in 13th place in the Eastern Conference at 5-and-11. Chicago visits Toronto tomorrow night.
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>>Blackhawks Get Crushed By Columbus
(Columbus, OH) — They gave up four second-period goals during a 7-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Columbus ended a nine-game losing streak by getting past Chicago. Connor Beard scored in the first period as the Hawks trailed 3-1 before the onslaught began in the second. Jason Dickinson and Reese Johnson also lit the lamp in the loss. The Blackhawks are in last place in the Central Division with ten points and a 5-12-and-0 record. Chicago hosts Toronto tomorrow.
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>>Notre Dame Destroys Maryland Eastern Shore
(South Bend, IN) — The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had no trouble with Maryland Eastern Shore during a 75-55 victory at Joyce Center. Notre Dame led by 16 at the break and cruised to victory in the second half. Braeden Shrewsberry led a balanced scoring effort with 13 points in under 15 minutes off the bench. The Irish improved to 3-and-2, and they visit South Carolina next Tuesday.
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>>College Basketball Wrap-Up
In other college basketball action yesterday, Chicago State snuck past Morgan State 84-83, Illinois State was crushed by Wright State 74-49, and Loyola number-seven Creighton 88-65.