The Ottawa City Council, following a presentation by North Central Illinois Council of Governments representatives Connie Buchanon and Richard Norwood, has endorsed and committed over $323,000 to two applied for Community Development Block Grants. The funds include $20,000 from General Corporate Funds for a $650,000 grant benefiting low-to-moderate income families in home repairs and $303,198 from Stormwater Management Funds for a $1,247,792 project addressing stormwater and sanitary sewer runoff infrastructure. Mayor Robb Hasty anticipates results in approximately six months. Additionally, the council approved an 8.38% increase in the tax levy for the fiscal year, totaling $8,987,603. Other actions included approving equipment quotes for Peck Park’s playground and splash pad, a license agreement for a mural at 227-229 W. Main St., and rescheduling the January 2024 meeting to Jan. 16 due to the New Year’s Day holiday.
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The La Salle County Grand Jury has indicted two Marseilles men following a recent traffic stop. Brennen Jorgenson, 27, faces charges including unlawful possession of cannabis and a controlled substance with intent to deliver, along with eight counts of felonious possession of weapons. Thomas Higgins, 45, is charged with armed violence and three counts of being an armed habitual criminal. Trident agents apprehended Higgins after discovering a rifle during the traffic stop, leading to the recovery of cocaine and two additional firearms at his residence. A search of Jorgenson’s house revealed a substantial stash of miscellaneous illegal drugs, and narcotics, along with eight illegal firearms, including a machine gun and a fully automatic Glock pistol.
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The Streator City Council is set to vote today regarding its tax levy. The approximately $4.5 million proposed levy, encompasses library taxes and reflects a 4.99% increase compared to the previous year, thereby avoiding a truth-in-taxation hearing at 5%. Although the property tax rate is anticipated to decrease by around 6%, offering potential relief for residents with unchanged property values, the taxing district in Streator has seen an 11.2% increase in property values. Most properties have been reassessed at higher values, leading to higher tax bills for many individuals whose property values have surged beyond the average rate.
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Over the upcoming years, substantial construction is slated for Route 6 across extensive stretches of Peru. In 2024, the city is set to undergo significant water main enhancements and sewer separation activities, spanning from West Street to the eastern city limits beyond Westclox. Commencing in spring and concluding in fall, this construction will inevitably lead to traffic disruptions during the year. Following the completion of this phase, the state has plans in 2025 to resurface the entirety of Route 6 in Peru.
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Quinn Thompson experienced a delightful surprise this Tuesday when Santa paid a visit to her Spring Valley home. Accompanied by a lively procession of police and fire vehicles, Santa presented Quinn with Minnie Mouse ears and shared the exciting news that, courtesy of the Illinois Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she and her family would be embarking on a trip to Disney World in the upcoming new year. This heartwarming gesture fulfilled Quinn’s cherished wish, bringing joy to a child bravely facing cystic fibrosis.
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No injuries were reported in a single-vehicle accident early Sunday morning at North 46th and East 22nd Roads in Adams Township. LaSalle County Deputies say 28-year-old Breanea Brown of Harvey was backing a trailer when it struck a bridge guardrail and ended up in a ditch.
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19-year-old Jaylen M. McDaniel of Ottawa was charged by Ottawa Police Monday with driving on a suspended license after a traffic stop at East Norris Drive and Starfire Drive.
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Early Monday morning, LaSalle County Deputies investigated a single-vehicle accident with no injuries near U.S. 6 and East 15th Road. 52-year-old William Wendt was westbound on Route 6 when a deer entered the roadway and was struck by the vehicle.
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Ottawa Firefighters handled a car on fire early Monday evening on I-80 near Exit 93. A large pickup truck pulling a large, enclosed trailer was fully involved. Help from Wallace Fire was requested. The fire was contained to the vehicle and a small grass fire.
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An Ottawa woman has charges of driving on a suspended license and no insurance. 31-year-old Renee J. Pearce was stopped early today by Ottawa Police in the 100 block of West Etna Road.
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A Joliet man is charged with retail theft by Ottawa Police. 25-year-old Darruis April was arrested at Walgreens on East Norris Drive on Tuesday.
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Early Tuesday morning the Ottawa Fire Department was called to the Surrey Motel for a pickup truck with light smoke coming from the cab. The fire was diminished before the arrival of firefighters, but the fire was observed on the front driver-side seat and was extinguished.
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28-year-old Tavion Ashley-McPherson of Leland was stopped by Ottawa Police at Columbus Street and Kain Drive Tuesday on a warrant out of Kane County for Failure to Appear in court.
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43-year-old J.J. Turano was arrested for trespassing in Ottawa twice in 24 hours. On Monday, Turano was arrested around 4 a.m. for violating his bond, and eight hours after his release, Turano was arrested again by Ottawa police for trespassing. In 2023, Turano was arrested in LaSalle County at least seven times for trespassing. Five of these charges occurred after Turano was issued a two-year probation for trespassing and violating an order of protection.
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A winning lottery ticket sold in Princeton remains unclaimed. The $200,000 Lucky Day Lotto ticket was purchased at the Shell Express Lane at 2225 N. Main St. on
Nov. 23rd. You can see more unclaimed Illinois Lottery prizes on their website www.illinoislottery.com.
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The Hall Township Food Pantry’s annual Christmas meal distribution event is happening today, Pick-up is available from 9 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the pantry located at 500 N. Terry St. The pantry asks food recipients to not block nearby residents’ driveways and patience from residents who might experience heavier drive-through activity in the area.
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The Oglesby American Legion will host their monthly steak fry on Thursday, Dec. 28th. The dinner will cost $35 and take place at the Legion at 410 Clark St. in Oglesby. For those with any questions regarding the event contact 815-883-3214.
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The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office has revealed a series of new laws that will come into effect with the arrival of the new year. Under one of these laws, it will be prohibited to engage in activities such as using Zoom, watching or streaming videos, or accessing social media while operating a vehicle. A separate law enables teenagers to pre-register for voting concurrent with obtaining a driver’s license or ID card. Additionally, a new bill is set to limit grant funding for libraries that decline to adopt policies against book banning.
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Illinois’ population is down for the tenth year in a row. New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show the state lost nearly 33 thousand residents between July 2022 and July 2023, trailing only New York and California in total population decline. Illinois has just over 12-point-five-million residents.
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WEATHER:
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 44. South wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
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Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 31. East wind around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Gary M Woods, 67 originally of Ottawa passed away peacefully at his home in Phoenix. Visitation will be tomorrow, December 21st, from 9:00 until 11:00 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us on Friday at 6:30 for Marquette Crusaders Boys Basketball.
As your Crusaders take on the Yorkville Christian Mustangs at Bader Gym. Andrew Evola and David Bergeson are on the call.
We will have our broadcast schedule of the Plano and Marquette tourney games we will be covering on our website and Facebook soon.
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Illinois high schools are rejecting a football district system. The Illinois High School Association announced that the implementation of a district system for football was voted down. The new format would have divided the state’s football-playing schools into 64 eight-team districts. Schools would have been able to schedule any opponent for non-district games during weeks one and two before playing seven district games the rest of the season.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Blackhawks scored their game-winning goal in the middle of the third period to down the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 at United Center. Lukas Reichel tied the game at two with a goal late in the second period, while Tyler Johnson gave Chicago the lead for good in the ninth minute of the third. Ryan Donato also lit the lamp in the victory. The Blackhawks are still in last place in the Central Division with 21 points and a 10-20-and-1 record. Chicago hosts Montreal on Friday.
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The Bulls will try to get a winning streak going when they host the Los Angeles Lakers at United Center tonight. The Bulls are coming off a gutty 108-104 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. However, the Bulls won’t have Torrey Craig tonight after announcing yesterday that he’ll miss the next eight to ten weeks with a foot injury. Chicago is in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with an 11-and-17 record. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Bears return to the practice field today as they get ready for Week 16. Chicago hosts the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field on Sunday. The Bears are in last place in the NFC North at 5-and-9 after suffering a 20-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. This Sunday’s game kicks off at 3:25 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish fell asleep at the wheel during the second half of their 65-45 loss to the Citadel at Joyce Center. The Irish trailed by just three at halftime, but they managed just 16 points in the second half. JR Konieczny had 18 points in the losing effort. Notre Dame is now 4-and-7 overall and 0-and-1 in ACC play. The Irish host Marist on Friday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats head down to the desert to take on the ASU Sun Devils in the Jerry Colangelo Hall of Fame Series from Footprint Center. The Wildcats are coming off a 56-46 win over DePaul last Saturday. Northwestern is 8-and-2 overall and 1-and-0 in the Big Ten. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:30 PM