Felonies experienced a 10% decrease in La Salle County during 2023, with DUIs and misdemeanors anticipated to reach their second-lowest numbers on record. You would think a total of six gunshot-related deaths and three murder charges might suggest a surge in crime in LaSalle County, but the overall felony rate is set to decrease by 10% compared to the previous year. Despite concerns about gun violence in 2023, the number of felonies is projected to remain below 500, a low not seen since the Great Recession. While COVID-19 suppressed crime in 2020, felony rates have not rebounded after infection controls were lifted. The state’s attorney, Joe Navarro, expressed satisfaction with the declining numbers but highlighted the concentration of homicides in specific areas, primarily along the Route 23 corridor between Ottawa and Streator.
Additionally, the rise in drunken driving cases by 5% is noteworthy, but it follows a record low in DUI arrests in the previous year. Societal changes, including reduced socializing and cautious behavior, are believed to contribute to the decline. Meanwhile, misdemeanor cases are expected to increase by 23%, attributed to the legalization of cannabis in 2017 and the subsequent rebound in offenses post-pandemic. Defense attorneys note a rise in domestic violence arrests and missed court dates, possibly linked to changes in bail policies.
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OSF Medical Group in Peru is organizing a community blood drive in collaboration with ImpactLife on Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ImpactLife Donor Bus will be stationed at the OSF Medical Group parking lot at 1650 Midtown Road. As the exclusive supplier of blood and blood components to various regional hospitals, including OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, OSF St. Paul Medical Center, and OSF St. Clare Medical Center, ImpactLife plays a crucial role in supporting patients with diverse medical needs. To schedule a donation appointment, individuals can call 800-747-5401, visit www.bloodcenter.org, or use the Blood Center’s mobile app. Eligible donors, aged 17 and older (or 16 with parental permission), weighing at least 110 pounds, and in good health, are encouraged to contribute. ImpactLife, a nonprofit organization, serves 120 hospitals across Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, encompassing 12 of the 15 OSF HealthCare facilities.
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La Salle city officials revealed on Wednesday through a Facebook announcement that the holiday home-decorating contest concluded without a determined winner due to a substantial number of fraudulent votes received in the online competition. The city expressed disappointment in the lack of the intended festive and community spirit, stating in the Facebook post that the event was designed to offer families a joyful opportunity to drive through the city, appreciate the seasonal efforts of residents, and vote for their favorite displays. La Salle had encouraged participants to submit photos of decorated homes, which were shared on the city’s Facebook page along with a collective map for users to cast their votes. The originally planned prizes included a $300 La Salle gift card for the first-place winner, a $200 gift card for the second-place contestant, and a $100 gift card for the third-place entry.
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La Salle is actively seeking federal grant assistance from Springfield to aid residents in renovating their homes in preparation for the approaching harsh winter. The city aims to secure funding to repair the homes of ten low to mid-income residents. With over 30 completed surveys submitted by residents and a well-attended public hearing during the city’s recent Council meeting, there is evident community interest in the initiative. Shug Grosenbach from the North Central Council of Governments addressed the audience, providing insights into the grant and addressing inquiries. Homeowners stand a better chance of receiving assistance based on accumulated points, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to directing funds to those in genuine need. The North Central Council of Governments will handle La Salle’s application, and a decision is not expected until at least August. In the event of a successful grant acquisition, homeowners will be required to submit applications. Notably, Mayor Jeff Grove was absent during the last Council meeting, leading to Alderman Tom Ptak being elected Mayor Pro Tem in his absence.
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You can dispose of your Christmas trees in Ottawa through January 31 by bringing them to the specified drop-off point at the Riordan Pool parking lot, located at 500 E. Norris Drive. Residents are encouraged to participate in the annual city Christmas tree collection at this designated location.
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Illinois is set to become the first state in the nation to outlaw book bans. Governor Pritzker signed legislation earlier this year that allows the Illinois secretary of state’s office to deny grant funding to public and school libraries that ban books for “partisan or doctrinal” reasons. The law is in response to a nationwide trend of demanding that books be removed from library shelves, including those with stories by and about People of Color and the LGBTQ community. The new law takes effect on January 1st.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and other law enforcement across the state will be working overtime through the beginning of the new year to keep the roads safe. During these last days of the year, additional law enforcement will be patrolling for impaired driving, seat belts, speeding, distracted driving, and other traffic laws. Through December 14th of this year, more than 12 hundred people lost their lives in crashes. That is eleven more than during the same period in 2022.
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The Powerball jackpot is rolling over again with no grand prize winner on Wednesday night. Already at 685 million at the time of the drawing, the jackpot now jumps to 760 million. The cash option on that works out to nearly 383 million dollars. The next drawing is coming up on Saturday.
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On Tuesday, authorities verified the death of an individual at a Mendota business establishment. Deputy Police Chief Tyler Kent reported that an officer was summoned to a 13th Avenue gas station after 5 pm following an incident where a man had entered a restroom, secured the door, and did not acknowledge a well-being check by law enforcement. Subsequently, the man was discovered deceased. The cause of death remains uncertain, prompting La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch to initiate an investigation. Further details are withheld until the next of kin is notified and Ploch completes his report. The police possess security footage, which will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
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A 19-year-old resident of Montgomery, Fabian Martinez, is facing charges of unlawful use of a weapon following a traffic stop on Tuesday evening in Montgomery. After being pulled over for an alleged equipment violation in the vicinity of Montgomery Road and Lafayette Street, Martinez was ticketed and received a notice to appear in Kendall County Court, according to the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office.
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The father of the Highland Park shooting suspect is filing for bankruptcy. Court documents show Robert Crimo Junior owes more than one point six million dollars to more than 50 creditors. Crimo Jr. recently completed a 60-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to reckless conduct charges. He was accused of helping his son get a Firearm Owner’s Identification card three years before the deadly attack during the Highland Park July 4th Parade last year.
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40-year-old Veronica R. Levine of Dalzell was arrested Sunday by Peru Police at the Peru Walmart and faces charges of retail theft as well as failure to appear in court on a warrant out of LaSalle County. She was released with two court dates.
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An Ottawa woman has a charge of disorderly conduct for filing a false report. 45-year-old Julia M. Gaffney was arrested at the Ottawa Police Station on Wednesday.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
Rain, possibly mixed with snow, becomes all rain after 3 pm. High near 38. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
Thursday Night
Rain before midnight, then a chance of rain and snow. Low around 36. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
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OBITUARIES:
Donald E. Van Hoozer, 90, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, December 22nd, at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in La Salle. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on Saturday, December 30, at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at noon at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Ruth Marie Packham, 94, of Ottawa, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 24th, at LaSalle County Nursing Home, surrounded by her family. Visitation will be on Saturday, December 30th, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Columba Church. Mass of Christian burial will follow at 11:00 am. Private burial in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery will take place at a later date.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Marquette Christmas Tournament:
In the last two quarterfinal games of Wednesday’s Marquette Christmas Tournament at Bader Gymnasium, top-seeded Serena used a huge burst to close out the third quarter in an 83-56 victory over Dwight, while No. 5-seeded Flanagan-Cornell held on late for a 61-57 triumph over No. 4-seeded Marquette.
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St. Bede Academy fought back from that early 8-0 deficit to get as close as one point, but the unseeded Bruins were unable to keep up with the third-seeded Red Raiders, who improved to 12-0 and moved on to the Marquette Christmas Tournament quarterfinals with a 73-57 victory at Bader Gym.
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Hall 47, Coal City 40: At the Marquette Christmas Tournament, the seventh-seeded Red Devils won the event’s opening game to earn a 3:30 p.m. quarterfinal meeting with No. 2 seed Lexington – a 66-29 winner over Wilmington – on Wednesday.
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Using the anger of a 25-point loss to Yorkville in its previous game as motivation going forward, the unseeded Reapers upset the eighth-seeded Redskins, 62-46, on Wednesday night.
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Plano Christmas Tournament:
Sparked by a fast break-led third quarter, Hinckley-Big Rock defeated Ottawa 63-56 to move on at the Plano Christmas Classic.
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The unseeded Mendota Trojans played third-seeded La Salle-Peru Wednesday L-P with the 57-43 victory the Cavaliers (11-3) advance on in the winners’ bracket to Thursday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinal against Marmion Academy.
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Streator dominated the rebounding margin in beating Yorkville Christian 68-51 at the 60th annual Plano Christmas Classic.
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Kaneland junior Freddy Hassan had 25 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three blocks Wednesday to lead the Knights to a 72-47 over Sandwich at the 60th Plano Christmas Classic.
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Amboy Holiday Tournament:
Amboy made enough hustle plays and free throws down the stretch to rally for a 37-36 win against Hall in a pool-play game at the Amboy Holiday Tournament on Wednesday night.
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St.Bede Classic:
St. Bede and Annawan the Bravettes got the 66-52 victory during the final round of pool play at the Lady Bruins Christmas Classic Wednesday afternoon.
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Girls Bowling:
The Lady Pirates bowling team placed 2nd at the Geneseo Holiday Invite with a 4603-team series. Lindy Dhuse placed 3rd with a 1013 six-game series and 211 high game. Dawn Hudkins finished 8th, Ana Zeglis 9th, and Rylee Harsted 10th.
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Wrestling:
St. Bede Places 7th at the Sandwich Dual Tournament
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
Chicago Blackhawks’ got the 2-1 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets at United Center. Mrazek stopped 37 of the 38 shots that he faced in the victory. Connor Bedard got the scoring started with a goal late in the first period, and he added the game-winner in OT. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 23 points and an 11-22-and-1 record. Chicago visits Dallas tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Bulls will try to stay hot when they host the Indiana Pacers at United Center tonight. The Bulls have won four of their last five games after taking down Atlanta 118-113 on Tuesday. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 14-and-18. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
The first female co-owner of the Chicago Bulls is dead at the age of 93. Bettiann Gardner died last week from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. She and her husband founded Soft Sheen Products, created to provide better hair care products for African Americans. The couple bought a share of the Bulls in the mid-1980s when Michael Jordan joined the team.
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The Chicago Bears were without three key offensive players at practice yesterday. Tight end Cole Kmet, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick all missed practice with injuries. Four other players were full participants despite injuries. The Bears host the Falcons on New Year’s Eve. In other team news, former Bears punt returner Devin Hester was named one of 15 finalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class along with one-time Bears Julius Peppers and Jared Allen.