Illinois could be the third state to kick former President Trump off the ballot this year. A Cook County judge yesterday ordered the former president to be removed from the March 19th Republican primary ballot. The judge reversed the Illinois State Board of Elections and said Trump’s speech ahead of the January 6th riot at the Capitol was part of an insurrection. A Trump spokesperson calls the ruling unconstitutional and political. The judge, however, froze the ruling until Friday to give the former president a chance to appeal.
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It was a day of cleaning up and assessing in Henry County after Tuesday’s tornado. No one was hurt, and there are no reports of any injuries from the storm. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service says the tornado that hit near Annawan was an EF-1, which means it had top wind speeds of about 110 miles per hour. Forecasters say the twister was on the ground for about eight minutes and traveled three miles.
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State Senator Sue Rezin recently addressed the influx of contentious bills being introduced in Springfield, particularly highlighting Senate Bill 3499. This proposed legislation, known as the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, introduced by State Senator Linda Holmes, allows qualified patients with terminal illnesses to request aid-in-dying medication from physicians to peacefully end their lives. The bill outlines procedures for requesting such medication, responsibilities of physicians, referral protocols for mental capacity assessments, residency requirements for qualified patients, and implications for insurance policies, among other provisions. Senate Bill 3499 has been forwarded to the assignments committee for further consideration.
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The public is invited to learn about potential train station locations for a proposed new passenger rail service connecting Peoria and Chicago through a series of four meetings organized by the North Central Council of Governments in collaboration with La Salle, Morris, Utica, Ottawa, and Peru. These events, held in an open house format, offer flexibility for attendees to drop in and out at their convenience, with consistent materials available across all sessions. Attendees can explore exhibits and engage with consultant team members for inquiries. Post-event, all materials will be accessible on the NCICG website. Scheduled at various locations from March 6 to March 13, these sessions are part of a study funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. For further details, residents and businesses are encouraged to visit the NCICG website or social media channels. Additionally, information about the broader Peoria to Chicago passenger rail initiative can be found on the city of Peoria’s website. Although the train route has yet to receive official approval, the city of Peoria has been chosen for the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, signaling progress towards a potential operational timeline estimated to be about a decade away, with the route spanning from Peoria through La Salle-Peru, Utica, Ottawa, Morris, and Joliet before reaching Chicago’s Union Station. Our local Ottawa session will happen Wednesday, March 6th, at Ottawa City Hall, 301 W. Madison St.
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The Seneca Village Council has taken action on two solar-related matters. Mayor Jeff Olson revealed ongoing discussions with a company interested in building a solar farm within the village limits, albeit without established conditions yet. Simultaneously, the council has penned a letter to Grundy County, expressing objections to Buffalo Solar’s proposed solar farm project. The fate of the latter project rests with the Grundy County Board, pending a decision at an upcoming meeting.
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If you couldn’t catch the movie premiere of “Ice Climbers of Starved Rock” on February 3rd at the Roxy Theatre in Ottawa, tickets are still up for grabs for the showing of “Ice Climbers of Starved Rock” at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, hosted at Starved Rock State Park Visitor Center. Admission is free, but tickets are required and can be reserved online at www.starvedrockhikers.com/ice-climbers. This captivating 29-minute documentary by Starved Rock Hikers delves into the fascinating world of ice climbers conquering frozen waterfalls in Starved Rock State Park, offering an authentic glimpse into their remarkable journey.
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The highly anticipated Illinois Valley Band Festival is set to commence at 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at Streator High School, located at 202 E. Lincoln Ave. This event showcases the musical talents of bands from Streator, Ottawa, and Mendota. Admission is complimentary, with donations warmly welcomed to support the participating bands.
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Governor Pritzker is encouraging families that want to have children through IVF to come to Illinois. Pritzker said Wednesday that he will continue his commitment to protecting reproductive healthcare in Illinois. The governor’s comments come after the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that declared that frozen embryos are human beings. He says those looking to have children through IVF have a safe space in Illinois.
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Legendary singer Dionne Warwick will grace the stage of the Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles on Friday, March 22. Tickets are on sale now. Warwick, 83, is a six-time Grammy Award winner. She has recorded more than 70 hit songs and sold more than 100 million albums.
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John T. Buccafurri, a 58-year-old male from Wenona, was arrested on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 4:20 pm for the charge of Unlawful Use of Weapons at Buffalo Wild Wings. Richard J. Kregel, a 27-year-old male from Peru, was arrested on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 4:30 pm following a brief investigation. He was issued traffic citations for operating an uninsured motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident at the McDonalds.
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A 31-year-old man, injured in a stabbing incident while intervening in a fight, remains in stable condition, yet details surrounding the event remain elusive as neither the victim nor other purported participants are forthcoming with information. The altercation occurred in the parking lot of “Pour Judgement,” a bar located at 1803 Fourth Street in Peru, with emergency services responding to the call around 1:30 on Sunday morning. The victim was subsequently airlifted to Peoria for medical treatment. Peru Police Chief Sarah Raymond disclosed that while authorities have identified the victim, he claims ignorance regarding the identity of his assailant. Moreover, Chief Raymond stated that there has been a lack of cooperation from other individuals involved in the incident, hampering the progress of the investigation.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 49. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
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Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low of around 30. South wind 10 to 15 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
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 today at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12:30 p.m. today 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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Leslie Sommer, 64, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, February 25th, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Visitation will be on Saturday, March 2nd, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at noon, at the funeral home. The family requests that all attendees wear their favorite Hawaiian apparel. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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Brandy Marie Kemper-Price, age 50, of Ottawa, was called to her heavenly home on Sunday, February 25th, with her devoted loved ones at her side. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 2nd, at Praise Center Assembly of God. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10 to 11 AM before the service. Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home is assisting the family.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Boys Basketball
Serena 72, Harvard Christian 70: Serena defeated Harvest Christian Academy in the Class 1A Sectional semifinal on Wednesday,
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Bulls held off the Cavaliers 132-123 in double overtime from Chicago. The Bulls are ninth in the Eastern Conference at 28-and-31. They host Milwaukee tomorrow night.
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The Blackhawks aim to avoid a fifth straight loss when they host the Colorado Avalanche at United Center tonight.
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Craig Counsell went up against his old team for the first time as his Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-1 in spring action in Phoenix. Chicago against the Rockies today.
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The White Sox mustered just four hits during a 3-1 Spring Training loss to the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch. The Southsiders have a split doubleheader today.
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The number-16 Illinois Fighting Illini are on a two-game winning streak after a 105-97 win over the Minnesota Gophers at State Farm Center. The Illini visit Wisconsin on Saturday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak following a 68-61 win over Maryland at Xfinity Center. The Wildcats host Iowa on Saturday.