A Streator man was rescued from a house fire on New Year’s Day at 410 North Shabbona Street. Streator firefighters arrived after 11 a.m. following reports of smoke. They found the resident outside, indicating a man and a dog were still inside. After a search, the occupant was located in a closed bedroom, rescued, and treated by Streator Fire paramedics. The victim was then flown by helicopter to a regional hospital. The dog did not survive. The cause of the fire is undetermined but not suspicious, and the house is considered uninhabitable with assistance provided by the American Red Cross for the displaced family. Firefighters controlled the fire in 30 minutes with support from Grand Ridge and Reading fire departments, and the rescue operation lasted about 2 hours.
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New Year’s Eve at 11:00 LaSalle County Deputies were assisted by other law enforcement and EMS agencies in handling a large fight in progress at 1846 North 41st Road south of Baker. Several individuals sustained minor injuries with two transported to hospital facilities. The investigation into the incident continues.
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36-year-old James Cochara was taken to hospital facilities for evaluation after LaSalle County Deputies responded to a report of domestic problems at 3338 East 2059th Road in Dayton Township Sunday night shortly after 10 o’clock.
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Around 1:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day, LaSalle County Deputies handled a report of domestic problems at 3645 North 3739th Road in Mission Township. 56-year-old Reneford Baker was arrested for Domestic Battery and was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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The most recent COVID update from the La Salle County Health Department includes one new death. The report, released on Friday, revealed 108 additional cases, a slight increase from the 104 reported just before Christmas and a decrease from the 149 cases documented the previous week. The cumulative number of deaths since the onset of the pandemic has now reached 526. La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties are experiencing a low level of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The CDC says home monitoring has made it more difficult for the local counties to accurately non-doctor reported cases.
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La Salle County is set to undergo over $19.5 million in construction projects in 2024, as part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s extensive multi-year program. This initiative, totaling $40.99 billion over six years until 2029, marks a significant investment in various transportation modes, covering roads, bridges, aviation, transit, rail, waterways, and pedestrian facilities. The major project for La Salle County involves a $14 million overlay design for 5.26 miles of Interstate 80, extending from a mile west of Route 89 to just west of Route 251, also impacting Bureau County.
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The 2024 inductees to the Ottawa Township High School Hall of Fame have been announced. The group includes two graduates of the Class of 1971. Sue Williamson returned to OTHS as a teacher in 1979 and chaired the English Department for 7 years, directing 81 plays which included some students who had award-winning careers in television and film. Dan Eilts returned to Ottawa after college as a longtime Sports Editor for the Ottawa Daily Times. He also played a key role in creating the OTHS Hall of Fame. A member of the Class of 1972 is Dr. Holly Novak, daughter of famed OTHS football coach Bill Novak. Dr. Novak has a 40-year career in internal and cardiovascular medicine. Gary Vancil was a teacher and coach at Ottawa High School for three decades coaching basketball, football, and baseball. Current OTHS Athletic Director Michael Cooper has been a faculty member for 33 years and served as Head Girls’ Basketball Coach for 22 years with 19 years as a football coach. Cooper is retiring at the end of this school year. And, two teams are entering the Hall of Fame. The 1969-1970 Varsity Football team, coached by Bill Novak, went 9-and-0 for the year and was ranked 8th in the state by the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette, and the 1996-97 Girl’s Varsity Tennis Team finished as Champions of the Sectional, NCIC Conference, were undefeated in dual meets, and finished in a tie for 12th in the IHSA State Tournament. The new inductees will be honored at a banquet on January 20th. Ticket information and details about the individuals and teams being honored can be found with this story at 1430wcmy.com and on the 1430 WCMY Facebook page.
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Peru city crews are scheduled to collect Christmas trees until Friday, January 12th. To avail of this complimentary service, residents are required to position their trees at the curb. Although there is no obligation for residents to contact authorities for inclusion in a list, they have the option to call and share their address if they wish to do so.
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La Salle is contemplating the possibility of livestreaming its City Council meetings following a resident’s inquiry at Wednesday night’s session. Dawn Hicks, a La Salle local, raised the question of interest in livestreaming council meetings, prompting discussions on the potential benefits for residents. Marty Schneider, another resident, advocated for immediate implementation, emphasizing the accessibility it would offer to citizens unable to attend in person. Mayor Jeff Grove, absent from the meeting, expressed openness to the idea, and Mayor Pro Tem Tom Ptak suggested exploring the costs associated with implementing livestreaming. The city’s stance on this aligns with the varied practices in other Illinois Valley communities, where some live stream, post videos, or have no recordings of their meetings. Public information officer Brent Bader will research the cost implications before the next council gathering.
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Peru’s Mayor announced on Friday that the local GAF facility in northern Peru is poised to commence production on February 1. Describing it as the most significant development in the city, Mayor Kolowski shared the update during a meeting with the Peru Rotary. The GAF facility, dedicated to manufacturing industrial roofing, is currently under construction north of I-80 and west of Plank Road, housed within a massive 400,000-square-foot structure. Presently, approximately 45 workers are employed, with the ultimate goal being a workforce of 75. Wages for employees range from thirty to forty-five dollars per hour, and Mayor Kolowski anticipates that 95% of the workforce will be sourced locally. To support the plant’s construction, the city invested in a two-million-dollar road to the site, and Peru was reimbursed for thirty-quarters of the total cost.
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The state of Texas continues to send migrants to Illinois. Rockford officials say a plane carrying migrants from Texas landed early Sunday at Chicago Rockford International Airport. The asylum-seekers were immediately put on buses headed for Chicago. It was the second such private plane chartered by Texas officials.
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Paula Wheeler and Amanda Schomas’ fourth-grade classes from Marseilles won the Prairie Fox Books’ sixth annual Holiday Tree Competition in Ottawa, with their winning tree sponsored by
Reddick Public Library District and currently showcased there. 14 other creatively adorned trees sponsored by local businesses and organizations were throughout Ottawa including Mrs. Hodgson’s life skills classes tree which is in the lobby at the WCMY studios.
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Enjoy Illinois made its second float appearance as part of America’s New Year Celebration®. At the 135th Rose Parade® presented by Honda in Pasadena, California, yesterday, The float, themed around Route 66’s rich musical legacy, aptly named “Illinois: The Middle of Beats & Blues,” aligns with the Rose Parade’s overarching theme, “Celebrating a World of Music.” This intricately designed float paid homage to the state’s musical history along the iconic Mother Road, capturing the essence of Illinois as the “Middle of Everything.” The float showcased a replica of a drive-in movie scene featuring “Joliet’” Jake Blues and Elwood, a classic 1950s car, and various recognizable Illinois attractions.
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The Starved Rock Photography Show at the Starved Rock Visitor Center features a collection of ninety-seven captivating photographs this year. Running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Jan. 6. Noteworthy winners include grand prize recipient Dave Weth from Normal, second-place awardee Philip Smith from West Chicago, and third-place honoree Heather Wellman Farrell from Streator. This year’s exhibition boasted nearly double the entries compared to last year’s total of 52, marking a substantial growth since its inception in 2019. The diverse categories encompass North American landscapes, parks, and habitats; bodies of water; mammals; flowers and plants; trees, lichen, and fungi; birds; insects, fish, reptiles, and amphibians; Illinois parks, preserves, and habitats; and waterfalls and icefalls.
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The New Chalet, located in Ottawa, recently commemorated Sandy Batistini’s remarkable 50th work anniversary with a joyous celebration. The event, adorned with balloons and sparkling decorations tailored to Sandy’s preferences, featured a gathering of 30 to 50 of her cherished customers from over the years. The festive occasion included cake, sweet treats, coffee, and punch, creating a heartwarming tribute to Sandy’s half-century of dedicated service.
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The AARP has organized a driver safety initiative in Peru, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, and Wednesday, Jan. 10, at Bridges Senior Center, located at 809 21st St. To enroll, contact 815-431-8034. Participants must attend both days of the program. Tailored for individuals aged 50 and above, the AARP driver safety program offers a comprehensive classroom and online refresher course. The primary objective is to assist participants in maintaining their driving skills. The curriculum covers topics such as adapting to changes, revisiting driving strategies, practicing road safety, staying abreast of evolving technology, understanding the impact of aging on driving, and embracing necessary adjustments for elderly drivers. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate for potential auto insurance premium discounts. A fee of $20 applies for AARP members, and $25 for non-members (for materials, payable to AARP), and the course is complimentary for United Health Care Insurance enrollees.
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The American Heart Association is organizing CPR classes in January and February, with the next combined CPR and Basic First Aid class scheduled for Saturday, the 20th, from 8 a.m. to noon at Ottawa River Rescue, in Ottawa. The class will begin with CPR for $10 per person, followed by a short break and transition to the First Aid portion for an additional $15. The CPR
training is open to all, not just healthcare providers, and includes the AHA Healthcare Provider version for recertification. Limited space is available, and the class is expected to fill up fast.
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RPS Toys clinched the top spot in the first-ever Deck the Windows competition organized by the Ottawa Downtown Association. Crafted by artist Dylan Conmy, the festive window display at RPS Toys’ location on 820 La Salle St. garnered an impressive 1,484 votes out of over 2,600 cast. The competition successfully turned Ottawa’s downtown area into a festive wonderland, featuring creative and spirited window displays from various local businesses, as highlighted by the Ottawa Downtown Association.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday: Increasing clouds, with a high near 35. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Tuesday Night: A slight chance of drizzle or freezing drizzle before 8 pm, then a slight chance of freezing drizzle between 8 pm and 9 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 28. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Francis L. Meagher, 85, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, December 27th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Visitation will be TODAY, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place on Wednesday, January 3rd, at 10:00 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Patricia “Momma D” (Redman) Dillard, 61, of Utica, passed away on Saturday, December 30th at Allure of Mendota Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 4th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post #33 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service at the funeral home. A celebration of life will be held following the burial.
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Andrew “Jay” Ruger, 55, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, December 30th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center after a 5-year battle with cancer that he fought with such dignity and bravery. Visitation will be Friday, January 5th, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 5:00 pm. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service.
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James Paul “Murph” Murphy, Sr., 79, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, December 20th, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 6th, from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 3:00 pm at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Margaret Gaffney, 97, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, December 24th, at The Pavilion of Ottawa. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 13th, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at noon at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Mark James Krueger, 64, of LaSalle, passed away Saturday, December 23rd at his home. A private family service and celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2024. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mueller-Pagani Funeral Home in LaSalle.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us tomorrow at 7 pm for Ottawa Pirates Boys Basketball as your Pirates take on Morris at Kingman Gym. Andrew Evola and David Bergeson are on the call, with Tony B Back at the WCMY studios.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls go for a home-and-home sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers when the two teams meet at Wells Fargo Center tonight. The Bulls just beat Philly 105-92 at home on Saturday. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 15-and-19. In other team news, Chicago assigned Zach LaVine to the G-League as he continues to rehab from a right foot injury.
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The Blackhawks aim to bounce back from an ugly loss when they visit the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena tonight. The Blackhawks were crushed by the Dallas Stars 8-1 on Sunday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 24 points and an 11-23-and-2 record.
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The Bears will wrap up their season when they visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Bears have been eliminated from postseason contention, but they still have the opportunity to spoil their fierce rival’s chance at the postseason. Chicago is tied with Minnesota at the bottom of the NFC North at 7-and-9.
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Number-nine Illinois and unranked Northwestern each go for their fourth win in a row when they play each other at State Farm Center tonight. The Illini are coming off a 104-71 rout of Fairleigh Dickinson last Friday. Illinois is 1-and-0 in Big Ten play and 10-and-2 overall. Northwestern beat Jackson State 74-63 last Friday. The Wildcats have a 10-and-2 mark overall and are 1-and-0 in conference play.
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In other college basketball action today, DePaul visits number five UConn, Chicago State travels to Kansas State, Illinois State is at Drake, Northern Illinois hosts Akron, and UIC has a road game against Murray State.