Contractors for the City of Ottawa have advised that repairs in the 300 block of East Superior Street will resume today, and the block will be closed to all-thru traffic beginning at 7 a.m. Repairs are expected to be completed and the block reopened to traffic by the end of the day today.
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The inaugural “Coldest Night of The Year” event organized by Illinois Valley Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) was met with uncertainty by organizer Sally Van Cura, who wondered about the turnout and fundraising success. However, her worries were unfounded as the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser in downtown Ottawa surpassed expectations. Despite pending totals, Van Cura announced to a crowd of nearly 435 walkers that they had exceeded their $20,000 goal by 133% and counting. The event in Ottawa ranked fourth nationwide among similar fundraisers and highlighted the collective effort of homeless advocates to address the needs of those without shelter during the winter months in our local area. With record-breaking numbers of clients seeking assistance, volunteers from various groups, including La Salle County Cruisers, rallied to support PADS and combat homelessness in the Illinois Valley area. Despite chilly temperatures, the strong community response underscored the significance of addressing homelessness as both a local and national issue. WCMY was proud to be the live broadcast sponsor, at this year’s event, and will be back again on February 22nd in 2025. We hope to be joined by Sally and Carol this week on WCMY with Karen Rhodes.
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LaSalle firefighters swiftly brought a residential house fire under control within an hour of their midnight arrival at the 1300 block of Crosat Street on Sunday. Although the residents were away at the time, firefighters encountered intense flames throughout the house and even through the roof, as reported by the La Salle Fire Department. The collaborative efforts of Peru, Utica, Oglesby, and Spring Valley fire departments, along with Peru EMS and LaSalle police, aided in the firefighting efforts. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and while the cause of the fire remains undetermined, it is currently under investigation by the La Salle Fire Department. Fire crews from La Salle remained at the scene until approximately 3:30 a.m.
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The Streator City Council approved a bid totaling just about $646,000 for its 2024 general revenue road project, funded locally through half-cent sales tax revenue, according to City Engineer Jeremy Palm. The project entails a resurfacing overlay for West LaRue and West Grant streets from Bloomington to Van Buren streets, resurfacing of the 1500 and 1600 blocks of Baker Street near Northlawn School, and a small sewer installation, with Universal Asphalt and Excavating tasked to conduct the work. In a cost-saving move, the council decided against restoring West Grant and West LaRue streets in brick, opting instead to allocate approximately $200,000 in savings toward the resurfacing of Baker Street in 2024. Additionally, curbs and gutters will be installed on LaRue and Grant streets. In conjunction with the general revenue road project, the city plans to overlay the 100 to 900 blocks of Iowa Avenue and Porter Street, including curb and gutter installation, utilizing a federal earmark of $750,000 from U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood. Despite potential delays, Streator’s Iowa Avenue truck route is among the 15 infrastructure projects earmarked by LaHood for 2024, promising future improvements for the area.
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AT&T announced it will reimburse customers affected by the nearly 12-hour network outage on Thursday. The mobile network plans to issue a $5 credit to potentially affected AT&T Wireless customers, equivalent to the average cost of a full day of service. The company expressed regret for the frustration caused and acknowledged the impact on customers’ ability to connect with others, including potential disruptions for small business owners. However, the credit won’t extend to customers under AT&T’s Business or Prepaid plans, or those with Cricket Wireless accounts. The outage initially reported at 2:30 a.m. CST, affected tens of thousands of subscribers nationwide, impeding calls, texts, internet, and emergency services. While regional disruptions are not uncommon, extended nationwide outages are rare. The Federal Communications Commission confirmed an investigation into the incident, and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency stated it was collaborating with AT&T to understand its cause and impacts.
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At 11 am on Saturday, a rollover collision between a semi-truck and a vehicle unfolded near mile marker 70 on Interstate 80, approximately a mile east of the Spring Valley exit, as reported by the Spring Valley Fire Department. A medical helicopter touched down on the eastbound lanes to transport a victim to a regional hospital. Brief closures ensued on Interstate 80, with support from the Peru and Ladd fire departments. Further details regarding the incident will be provided by the Illinois State Police when the investigation concludes.
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Learn about the Greater Prairie Chicken in Illinois at the Starved Rock Visitor Center on Sunday, March 3rd, at 1 p.m. Bob Gillispie, the site superintendent of Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, will lead the discussion on conservation efforts for this endangered species. While all IDNR/state park programs are free, donations to the Starved Rock Foundation are appreciated on-site, supporting various park programs. Administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Starved Rock State Park aims to manage and protect the state’s natural resources while promoting public understanding and appreciation.
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Governor Pritzker’s recent announcement that he wants to repeal the state grocery tax isn’t sitting well with cities around Illinois. Pritzker has said the statewide one-percent grocery tax should be repealed so the money can be put back into people’s pockets. The issue is the money raised by the tax goes directly to cities across Illinois. That revenue loss would be huge according to leaders in Decatur and Peoria, to name several cities unhappy with the plan. They say certain services in cities around the state could go away without the money raised by the grocery tax.
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The Illinois State Fire Marshall has issued a Recall for 20 lb. Propane Exchange Tanks Recalled by Worthington Enterprises Due to Fire Hazard. Make sure to check your cylinders before firing up the grill, you can find out more details and what to look for on the tanks on the link at the 1430 WCMY Facebook page.
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WCMY and guest host Karen Rhodes celebrated the local area FFA high school chapters last week during National FFA week. We were joined in studio by Ottawa, Streator, Serena, Seneca, and Marquette Academy FFA students. You can hear the recorded interviews on our website at 1430wcmy.com click on the FFA tab at the top to listen through the WCMY Soundcloud player.
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The crash that occurred at Sam’s Pizza in Ottawa was due to a driver’s distraction while reaching for cigarettes. Brian LaValle, aged 42 from Streator, was traveling eastbound on West Norris Drive on Wednesday morning when his pickup veered off the drive, colliding with a fence, several concrete tables, and a partial cement wall before striking and breaking a power pole. Debris from the pole fell onto LaValle’s truck. He was transported to OSF in Ottawa. LaValle received multiple citations from authorities. Ottawa police reported damage to Sam’s Pizza, including broken windows and potential structural harm to the brickwork and roof.
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On Sunday morning at around 1:36 am, Peru officers were dispatched to the area of the 300 block of 5th St. for the report of a male subject in a vehicle with multiple stab wounds. Upon further investigation, a 31-year-old male victim, reports he was breaking up an alleged fight in the parking lot of Pour Judgement, 1803 4th St. Peru, IL, when he was stabbed by an unknown subject(s). The victim left the area and police were called to his aide shortly after. The victim was life flighted to Peoria where he is in stable condition. Suspects are unknown at this time, the incident is isolated, and there is no threat to the public. The Peru Police Department was assisted by the Peru Ambulance Service, the Peru Fire Department, and officers from the Spring Valley and Oglesby Police Departments. The matter continues to be investigated by our department
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WEATHER:
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, and Marshall counties today from noon to 6 pm. The combination of dry fuels, low relative humidity, and strong winds poses a significant risk for the rapid spread of wildfires in these counties. This watch extends to the northwest quarter of the state, encompassing areas from Rockford southward beyond Peoria. Additionally, the Weather Service warns of potentially severe thunderstorms late Tuesday afternoon and evening. A strong, spring-like storm system will impact the central part of the country on Tuesday into Wednesday. Ingredients may come together to support a threat of strong to severe thunderstorms late Tuesday afternoon and evening, especially east of I-55 and across northwest Indiana. The strongest storms could produce large hail, damaging winds, and possibly a tornado.
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Monday
Sunny, with a high near 70. Breezy, with an east wind of 5 to 10 mph becoming south 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
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Monday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 52. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Nadine F. (Talioli) Turnquist, 86, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, February 22nd, at the OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.
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Kenneth “Papa” Geiger, age 71, of Ottawa, departed this earthly life Friday, February 23rd, in the presence of his loving family. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to Noon Thursday at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. on the 29th at St. Francis Church. Interment will follow in St. Columba Cemetery.
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Margaret Einhaus, 86, of Seneca, passed away Wednesday, February 14th, at the Arc at Dwight with her family by her side. A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the Seneca United Methodist Church. A funeral ceremony will follow at 11:00 am at the church. Private burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in Morris. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Ottawa Dolphins Finish 2nd out of 6 teams at Kishwaukee Y
The Ottawa Dolphins had 58 swimmers participate.
Team Scores
· Kishwaukee Y Big Dogs– 1178
· Ottawa Y Dolphins – 802.5
· Fox Valley Y Aqua Force – 512
· YMCA RRV Stingrays – 468.5
· Kankakee Y Stingrays – 198
· Illinois Valley Y Dolphins – 81
Personal Best Swims
Bennett Andree, Caden Brown, Cici Burke, Tucker Citta, Tucker Ditchfield, Dane Hawkins, Brennen Heaver, Ryland Heaver, Jonathan Neu, Selby O’Brien, and Annaliese Strow.
Double Event Winners
Caden Brown, Tucker Ditchfield, Elizabeth Hansen, Atley Strow
Single Event Winners
Cole Bressendorf, Addisyn Budnick, Clayton Budnick, Elliot Citta, Tucker Citta, Kailey Goetsch, Evelyn Hansen, Lewis Kuiper, Gabriel Marini
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Girls basketball:
The St. Bede girls basketball team (28-7) will face Ida Crown (20-3) in the Class 1A Harvest Christian Academy Supersectional at 7 p.m. Tonight in Elgin. This will be the St. Bede Lady Bruins’s first supersectional appearance since 1999-2000 and its first Elite Eight berth. Both teams are riding winning streaks into the supersectional. The Bruins have won 17 games in a row with their last loss on Dec. 28, while the Aces have an 18-game winning streak with their last loss on Dec. 7.
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Girls Wrestling:
At Saturday’s IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals at Grossinger Motors Arena. Seneca sophomore Sammie Greisen earned the first-ever medal for the Fighting Irish. Ottawa’s Juliana Thrush clinched a state medal, in the fifth-place match.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls came through in the final minute of their 114-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. The Bulls are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 27-and-30. They host Detroit tomorrow.
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One Blackhawks legend spoiled the night of another Blackhawks legend as Chicago lost to Detroit 3-2 in overtime at United Center. Before the game, Chicago retired the number seven jersey in honor of Chris Chelios. Former Blackhawks All-Star Patrick Kane then scored the game-winning goal in the second minute of OT. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 35 points and a 15-39-and-5 record. The Hawks host Colorado on Thursday.
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The Cubs are adding a major playmaker with just over a month remaining before Opening Day. ESPN reports that Chicago is signing center fielder Cody Bellinger to a three-year, 80-million dollar contract. The deal includes opt-outs for Bellinger after the first and second years of the deal. The 28-year-old spent last season with the Cubs after beginning his career with the Dodgers. The two-time All-Star batted .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBI last season. In other team news, the Cubs lost to the Padres 7-0 in Spring Training yesterday.
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The White Sox managed just two hits during a 5-0 Spring Training loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields. Bryan Shaw was charged with the loss in relief. The Southsiders take on Texas today.
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The Chicago Fire FC opened the 2024 MLS season with a 2-2 draw against Philadelphia at Subaru Park on Saturday. Chicago hosts FC Cincinnati this Saturday.
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Number-12 Illinois got back in the win column with a 95-85 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on Saturday. The Illini host Minnesota on Wednesday.
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had their three-game winning streak snapped with an 88-85 loss to Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday. Notre Dame hosts Wake Forest tomorrow night.
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In other college basketball action on Saturday, Northern Illinois was crushed by Ohio 80-59.