Dezzan D. Phillips, 32, could face up to 14 years in prison if convicted by a jury on charges of robbing and assaulting his former girlfriend in October. During the La Salle County Circuit Court trial, the victim, now 47, testified about the alleged domestic battery incident, stating that Phillips struck her and stole her cell phone. Phillips, previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter, is eligible for an extended sentencing range. The victim’s account was partially corroborated by surveillance footage at the Super 8 Motel in Ottawa. Phillips, currently held in La Salle County Jail, allegedly made recorded phone calls attempting to influence the victim’s statement recanting the claims. The trial’s verdict is expected Wednesday afternoon.
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The Naplate police urged residents yesterday to steer clear of the vicinity around 17th Avenue and Center Street while authorities from both the police and fire departments investigate a reported natural gas odor. Nicor Gas has been informed and is anticipated to arrive later last night to assess the situation. A section of 17th Avenue is temporarily closed due to the suspected gas odor emanating from the roadway. At present, there is still no official information regarding the cause of the incident.
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The access to the Streator Police Department after regular hours is undergoing a modification. Starting from Tuesday, the lobby door at the police station will be secured at 5 p.m. Individuals requiring assistance beyond 5 PM can utilize a direct line accessible outside the station through a yellow call box. The police department’s lobby will stay closed until 7 AM the next morning, except Sundays when access is available solely through the call box. It’s important to note that the access for parents using the Streator Police Department for child visitation exchanges remains unaffected.
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State Senator Sue Rezin is sponsoring a new measure aimed at restoring decision-making authority to municipalities regarding the placement of solar farms. The Morris Republican has introduced a bill that empowers cities, towns, and villages to participate in the decision-making process for the location of solar-energy facilities in unincorporated areas within three miles of their jurisdiction. Rezin emphasizes that this initiative is in response to a perceived mistake made in the fall when a bill, pushed through the veto session, allowed the automatic approval of wind or solar projects by the state, with what she considers diluted site requirements. While cities can influence the approval or denial of nearby wind farms, there is currently no provision for their involvement in decisions related to solar farm placement. The proposed legislation is awaiting assignment to a Senate Committee for consideration in Springfield.
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You can celebrate Illinois Valley Community College’s 100th anniversary by immersing yourself in a variety of engaging subjects through the Continuing Education Center’s virtual classes. As part of the anniversary festivities, you can register for all 14 spring classes at the special rate of $100 or choose individual classes for $19 each. Save even more by participating in six or more live online classes. These single-session Zoom classes begin on Jan. 24, and a meeting invite will be sent 24 hours before each session. All you need is a computer with high-speed internet, and while a webcam and microphone are recommended, they are not mandatory. Call IVCC for more information.
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The suspect in the shooting deaths of eight people in Joliet, Illinois is dead following an encounter with U.S. Marshals Monday night. Five victims were found dead from gunshot wounds in one home, with two in another home on the same block. Police say suspect Romeo Nance, who lived in one of the two homes involved, was located near Natalia, Texas by U.S. Marshals. He took his own life with a handgun shortly after. Authorities say he was wanted for the shootings Monday, as well as two separate ones that took place on Sunday in which one person was pronounced dead later on at a local hospital. Joliet is about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. Police say that Nance was related to most of the people he targeted in the homes, but a motive is still unknown.
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At approximately midnight on January 22, 2024, Mendota Police apprehended Steven D. Eisenach, a 42-year-old resident of West Allis, Wisconsin, near the junction of US Rt. 34 and I-39 in Mendota. Eisenach, who was sought in connection with a robbery involving force in Racine County, Wisconsin, was successfully taken into custody. Subsequently, he was transported to the LaSalle County Jail, where he awaits extradition to Racine County.
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WEATHER:
DENSE FOG ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM THIS MORNING…
* WHAT…Visibility locally one-quarter mile or less in dense fog
expected.
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Wednesday
Rain, mainly before 1 pm. Areas of dense fog. High near 35. Northeast wind around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.
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Wednesday Night
A 20 percent chance of rain. Widespread fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low of around 33. North-northeast wind around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Gary Russell Rinker, 79, of The Villages, FL, born in Ottawa passed away on Thursday, January 18th, at his home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 26th, at the Mueller Funeral Home Ottawa. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, at the Knights of Columbus.
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Perry Raymond Schlink, 76, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, January 22nd, at his home with his wife by his side. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 25th, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 6:00 pm at the funeral home. Cremation rites will be accorded.
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William F. (Bill) Kasten, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri born in Ottawa. Passed away on Friday, December 22nd, at St. Anthony’s Senior Living in Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will take place on Saturday, January 27th at St. Patrick’s Church in Seneca from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois at a later date. Ottawa Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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Brendin H. Miskell, 39, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 21st, A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the American Legion in Ottawa. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us tonight as we bring you Marquette Lady Cru basketball as they take on the LP Lady Cavs. Tip-off is set for 7 pm, with Andrew Evola and David Bergeson on the call.
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Boys basketball
The Seneca and Marquette Academy boys basketball teams both earned victories in Tuesday’s quarterfinals at the 97th Tri-County Conference Tournament in Putnam County High School’s R.M. Germano Gymnasium.
The top-seeded Fighting Irish raced to a double-digit lead in the opening three minutes in a 66-32 victory over No. 9-seeded St. Bede.
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The No. 2-seeded Crusaders trailed by four at halftime before using a late third-quarter burst to move on with a 60-44 triumph over No. 10-seeded Putnam County.
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Seneca (16-7) will now play the winner of Wednesday’s quarterfinal between fourth-seeded Midland and No. 5 seed Lowpoint-Washburn at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday in the opening semifinal.
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Marquette (13-6) will battle Wednesday’s winner pitting No. 3 seed Woodland and sixth-seeded Roanoke-Benson at 7 p.m. in the semifinal nightcap.
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St. Bede (5-16) and Putnam County (4-18) will play in the consolation semifinals Friday.
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Morris 68, Newark 46: At Morris, the visiting Norsemen were defeated
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Hall 66, Mendota 62: The Red Devils earn a Three Rivers Conference East Division win in Spring Valley.
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Competitive Dance
Both the Ottawa Pirate Poms and the Streatorettes advanced via top-three sectional finishes to this weekend’s IHSA Competitive Dance State Final at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Both dance squads performed Saturday at the Fieldcrest Sectional in Minonk, one of five sectionals held across the state. Each sectional’s top six teams in each class advanced.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Blackhawks will try to get back in the win column when they visit the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena tonight. The Blackhawks are coming off a 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on the road on Monday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 30 points and a 14-31-and-2 record. Tonight’s game starts at 9:00 PM.
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The Bulls are gearing up for their road game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto-dot-com Arena tomorrow. Chicago will try to bounce back from their last-second 115-113 loss against the Suns. The Bulls are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 21-and-24. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 9:30 PM.
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The Northwestern Wildcats go for the upset against number-11 Illinois when the two teams face off at Welsh-Ryan Arena tonight. The Illini are coming off an 86-63 win over Rutgers on Sunday. Illinois is 14-and-4 overall and 5-and-2 in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have dropped two of three after a 75-69 loss against Nebraska on Saturday. Northwestern is 13-and-5 overall and 4-and-3 in conference play. Tonight’s game begins at 8:00 PM.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish aim to avoid their third loss in a row when they host Miami at Joyce Center tonight. The Irish just lost to Boston College 63-59 last Monday. Notre Dame is 7-and-11 overall and 2-and-5 in the ACC. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM Central Time.
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IVCC 87, Carl Sandburg 82: In JUCO play, the Eagles received 26 points from Wade Sims and 24 from Qu’amar Hobbs in improving to 3-0 in Arrowhead Conference play.