The Ottawa City Council aims to reduce the property tax rate borne by city residents, but soaring property values may offset the intended relief. Despite Treasurer Don Harris’s anticipation of an 8-cent decrease from the previous fiscal year’s rate of $2.41 per $100 of equalized assessed value, homeowners are likely to experience higher bills.
Recently disclosed by the Ottawa City Council, there is a proposed 8.3% increase in the property tax levy for the fiscal year spanning May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. This levy, representing the city’s tax collection target, is set to rise to $8,987,603 due to a substantial uptick in overall property values. The increase of nearly $695,000 from the prior year’s extension of $8,292,368 highlights the impact of the escalating property values on residents’ tax burden.
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OSF HealthCare has expanded its team by welcoming Dr. Shai Nyi, M.D., a new obstetric and gynecology provider, enhancing healthcare services for the Streator and Ottawa communities and their surrounding areas.
With Dr. Nyi joining on December 10th, patients seeking obstetric and gynecological care will benefit from increased accessibility at OSF Medical Group – Obstetrics and Gynecology, in Streator, and OSF Medical Group – Obstetrics and Gynecology, located in Ottawa.
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Remember tomorrow the 200 block of West Main Street in downtown Ottawa will be closed between LaSalle and Clinton Streets to all traffic beginning at 10 am this Friday. The reason is to finish the foundation on Main Street between the Perfect Moments Event Shoppe and Ottawa Office Supply.
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According to state records, adult-use cannabis sales at licensed dispensaries in Illinois for November surpassed $139 million. This marks a new all-time high for November pot sales since 2020 when marijuana was legalized. Out-of-state consumers accounted for over $33 million of the $139 million in cannabis products sold last month.
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On December 5, 2023, a grand jury in La Salle County convened and issued several indictments, including the following individuals and charges:
Christopher Decker, 35, of Ottawa, faces two counts of possession of a weapon with a revoked FOID;
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Thomas Gage, 35, of Streator, is charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver;
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Denis Gromm, 44, of Peru, is indicted on two counts of theft;
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Jesse Anderer, 34, of La Salle, is accused of aggravated battery;
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Brandon Kling, 35, of Ransom, faces charges of residential burglary,
possession of a stolen motor vehicle, and burglary;
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Russell Farley, 35, of Earlville, is charged with two counts of criminal damage to property;
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Kaylee Neitzel, 20, of Ottawa, is indicted for obstructing justice; and Calvin Williams, 30, of Ottawa, faces a charge of burglary.
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LORRAHA J. SEDAM Age 27 Female OF PERU Was Arrested Tuesday at 7:39 pm on SHOOTING PARK RD. Charges Operate Motor Vehicle w/Susp Registration Sedam was charged with the above offense after a traffic stop.
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Brennen Lee Jorgenson age 27 of Marseilles. Jorgenson’s arrest comes as the result of a search warrant conducted on his residence where Agents seized approximately 12,000 grams (26 lbs) of purported psilocin mushroom products, 24,500 grams (54lbs) of purported cannabis flower, along with 2983 THC Cartridges, 1593 THC vapes, 900 grams (2 lbs) of THC concentrate and 177 jars of THC wax.
Agents also seized 8 illegal firearms including a Glock pistol modified to be fully automatic and multiple high-capacity magazines. Jorgenson is being charged with Unlawful Possession of more than 5000 grams of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver a Class X felony, Unlawful Possession of more than 200 grams of Controlled Substance (Psilocin) a Class X felony, being a Felon in Possession of a Machine Gun a Class X felony and 6 counts of being a Felon in Possession of a Weapon a Class 2 Felony.
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Police in Cherry Valley are searching for a missing elderly person. Merle Bennett was last seen driving a blue 2015 Chevy Colorado pick-up truck with Illinois license plates. Authorities say the 83-year-old left a home last night in the 35-hundred block of Great Republic Road and was headed to the Cherry Valley Cafe. Anyone with information should call 9-1-1.
WEATHER:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 55. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low of around 44. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Nancy Louise Cochran, age 77 of Ottawa, passed away Friday, December 1st, at Aperion Care in Marseilles. Private services will be held with burial in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, Illinois. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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Joanne “Jo” Olson, 91, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, December 3rd, at OSF St. Anthony in Rockford. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 8th, at Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.
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Ralph S. Johnson, 84, of Marseilles, passed into the arms of Jesus on Friday, December 1st, at Aperion Care Marseilles, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, December 9th, at Marseilles First Baptist Church. A celebration of life will follow at noon at the church. Seals-Campbell Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
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Curtis J. Rasmussen, 90, of Standard, passed away on November 29th. Funeral services will be on Sunday, December 10th, at 2 p.m. at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. Visitation will be an hour before service.
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Stanley L. Peca, Jr., 77, of Ottawa, passed away on Friday, December 1st, at his home. Private Graveside services will be held at Clarendon Hills Cemetery in Darien, where full Military Honors will be accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2024, with the date to be announced. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Patricia “Pat” Munari, age 93, of Marseilles, passed away Sunday, December 3rd, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, December 12th, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marseilles. The interment will be in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa. Visitation will be from 10 AM to the time of service at the church. Arrangements are with the Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Serena 36, Bourbonnais 31 in OT: From Wednesday night the Serena 8th grade Girls’ Basketball team defeated Bourbonnais for the Sectional Championship at Seneca Grade School. This is the first year for Serena to be in IESA. Serena advances now and will take on a tough Paris-Crestwood team on the 9th at 11:30.
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Boys basketball
Serena scores top seed at Marquette: At Illini Lounge in Marseilles on Wednesday, brackets were revealed for the 2023 Marquette Christmas Tournament (formerly the Marseilles Holiday Tournament), with Serena scoring the top seed and scheduled to open against unseeded Putnam County.
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La Salle-Peru 67, Marquette 63: L-P defeated Marquette 67-63 on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, during the 49th annual Colmone Classic at Hall High School. The Cavs will play Fieldcrest in the semifinals against Fieldcrest on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Marquette will face Princeton on Friday at 5 p.m.
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The Cavaliers beat Marquette 67-63 to win the Black Pool, while the Trojans topped Stillman Valley 62-47 to claim the White Pool.
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Mendota 62, Rock Falls 47
The Trojans built a double-digit lead by halftime, withstood a third-quarter run by the Cardinals then pulled away in the fourth quarter.
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Earlville 64, Newark 40: At Newark, the host Norsemen were defeated by the undefeated Red Raiders (6-0 overall, 2-0 Little Ten).
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Girls bowling
La Salle-Peru 3,290, Ottawa 2,867: At Detorre’s Town Lanes, the host Pirates suffered their first loss of the season despite a team-best 538 series (203 high game) off the hand of Lindy Dhuse.
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Kaneland 42, Ottawa 32: At Maple Park, the visiting Pirates (3-5 overall, 0-1 I-8) suffered the Interstate 8 Conference road defeat heading into Friday’s visit to Sycamore.
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Dwight 50, Streator 23: At Dwight, the visiting Bulldogs (0-11) were dealt the defeat despite nine points from Ava Gwaltney and six courtesy of Maiya Lansford.
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FCW 63, Earlville 39: At Earlville, visiting Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland received 24 points — including 15 in the opening quarter — off the hands of Ella Derossett.
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Girls bowling
Ottawa 2,706, Rochelle 2,549: At Rochelle, the visiting Pirates moved to 4-0 on the young season led by senior Dawn Hudkins’ 505 series (181 high game) and Kilah Figenbaum’s 494 (191).
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Boys bowling
Rochelle 3,361, Ottawa 3,156: At Rochelle, the visiting Pirates did not fare as well as Ottawa’s girls team despite Wil Znaniecki’s 619 series (two 212 high games) and Caden Walters’ 546 (201).
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Boys wrestling
Plano 48, Ottawa 35: At Ottawa on Tuesday, the host Pirates suffered the team loss to their former conference rivals.
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Seneca 54, Wilmington 27: At Wilmington, the visiting Fighting Irish doubled up the Wildcats.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
>>Dominant Third Quarter Leads Bulls Past Hornets
(Chicago, IL) — The Bulls led by as many as 22 points during a 111-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets at United Center. The Bulls had a four-point lead at halftime before taking control with a 35-20 run in the third quarter. DeMar DeRozan poured in 29 points in the victory, while Nikola Vucevic finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Chicago is in 12th place in the Eastern Conference at 8-an-14. The Bulls visit San Antonio tomorrow night.
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>>Blackhawks Host Ducks
(Chicago, IL) — The Blackhawks will try to snap their four-game losing streak when they host the Anaheim Ducks at United Center tonight. The Blackhawks are coming off a 4-3 shootout loss against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 15 points and a 7-16-and-1 record.
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>>Four Bears Show Up On Injury Report
(Lake Forest, IL) — The Bears are looking healthy heading into Week 14. No one missed practice for the team yesterday, and linebacker Noah Sewell was the only player listed as limited in the first injury report of the week. Guard Larry Borom, running back D’Onta Foreman, and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson were all full participants despite injuries. The Bears host the Lions on Sunday.
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>>White Sox Select Drohan In Rule Five Draft
(Nashville, TN) — The White Sox are adding some pitching depth. The team selected left-hander Shane Drohan in the Rule Five draft yesterday. Drohan was in the Red Sox organization last year. He went 10-and-7 with a 5.05 ERA in 27 appearances between Triple-A and Double-A in 2023. Drohan will have to stay on Chicago’s active roster throughout 2024, or else he will have to be offered back to Boston.
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>>College Basketball Wrap-Up
MEN’S BASKETBALL
IVCC 79, Danville 72: Wade Sims scored 25 points Wednesday to lead the Eagles to a victory over the NJCAA Division II No. 21-ranked Jaguars in a nonconference game in Oglesby.
Scooby Watson scored 20 points for IVCC (5-6), while Roko Jurasovic added 11 points.