Motorists traversing Ottawa’s south side should exercise caution as storm sewer separation work commences on Monday, prompting street closures between 7 am and 5 pm on weekdays. The city of Ottawa has issued a notice indicating that contractor operations will necessitate closures along West Prospect Avenue from State to West of Christie Street, as well as the 100 block of East Van Buren between State and Catherine. For storm sewer separation work commencing on Monday, prompting street closures between 7 am and 5 pm on weekdays. These affected areas will be accessible to traffic outside of work hours and on weekends. The project is slated to span three weeks, encompassing tasks such as street excavation, storm sewer line installation, and roadway restoration.
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The city of Ottawa is eagerly pursuing a competitive grant opportunity to secure funding for the development of a downtown amphitheater. Having previously received a $3 million Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital Program grant in August 2022, earmarked for this purpose, the city now aims to gather community support to bolster its application. With the total project cost estimated at $4,010,500, including a city match of $1,010,500, the grant funds will primarily be utilized for constructing the festival stage and event venue along the Illinois River at the former Central School site. In a letter addressed to residents, the city emphasized the significance of community backing in the grant application process, encouraging individuals to express their endorsement through brief statements outlining how the project would benefit their businesses or the community at large. Residents are urged to submit their support. Contact information can be found in this story on the WCMY website or Facebook page.
Alaina Iverson at aiverson@cityofottawa.org, using “Ottawa Grant-Community Support” as the subject line, or physically deliver them to the city of Ottawa offices at 301 W. Madison St. The deadline for submission is Monday, March 18.
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Chances are, your healthcare journey may intersect with OSF Healthcare, where a notable feature awaiting discovery is their virtual portal dubbed “My Chart.” Discover more about this innovative tool this Wednesday at 12:30 PM at the Peru Public Library. Attendees will delve into the intricacies of accessing their Electronic Medical Records seamlessly, fostering direct communication with their healthcare providers and care teams, and effortlessly retrieving vital information like medications, health summaries, lab results, and beyond. The session, spanning 30 minutes, will be followed by personalized assistance tailored to individual needs.
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The Ottawa Art League invites adult amateurs to participate in the 66th annual Town and Country Amateur Art Show slated for May 4, hosted at Jeremiah Joe Coffee, 807 La Salle St., Ottawa. Embrace this opportunity to showcase your creativity to the local community. The event aims to foster a passion for visual arts while offering a platform for aspiring artists to exhibit their work publicly. Each artwork will undergo critique, with ribbons awaiting deserving pieces. Winners of the coveted blue ribbon gain access to the state show in Champaign during the autumn. Submit up to three pieces crafted within the past year, accompanied by a nominal registration fee. Access entry forms and guidelines at ottawaartleague.org. Act fast; the entry deadline is April 27th.
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The 2023-24 Illinois bobcat season concluded on February 15th, recording a total harvest of 370 bobcats by hunters and trappers. Of these, 214 (55%) were hunted while trapping contributed to 156 (40%) of the harvest, with 19 (5%) salvaged by permit holders from incidents such as roadkill. Jo Daviess County, located in the state’s northwest corner, reported the highest number of bobcats harvested this year, with 19 reported by hunters and trappers. The season saw 7,000 bobcat lottery applicants in 2023, resulting in 1,000 permits issued. No specific data was provided for bobcat hunting or trapping in La Salle County or neighboring areas. In the previous season of 2022-23, the bobcat harvest amounted to 367, with 16 salvaged. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources remains committed to monitoring bobcat populations and will assess the program based on ongoing research findings.
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The Ottawa Noon Rotary and Ottawa Sunrise Rotary Clubs partnered with the Ottawa Fire Department to purchase an inflatable Fire Education House. The purpose of the 14’X 24’X12’ three-room house is to educate the public on fire safety. It is designed to be an interactive tool that will captivate kids of all ages with a fun learning experience. Captain Kevin Theis, Public Education Officer, gave Rotarians a tour and pointed out the banners of information inside the house plus the logo and station name on the outside. The donation from the Ottawa Rotary Clubs was matched by Rotary District 6420 to make this community grant possible. The Fire Education House will be transported to schools in the area and be used outside for various community events to help all citizens become more aware of safety issues in the home and how to deal with them.
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The Route 34 Drive-In Theatre in Earlville has set April 19th as its tentative opening weekend, signaling the impending arrival of warmer weather. Celebrating its 70th anniversary this season since its inception in 1954, the theater changed ownership last summer following the untimely passing of Ron Magnoni Jr. in February. Under new proprietors Paul and Shelley Bottomley, the theater commenced operations in August, entertaining audiences every weekend until October. However, the opening weekend for this season is subject to weather conditions, with the theater management also teasing new additions to the concession stand menu. Reflecting on its rich history, glimpses of the past owners, Charles Dyas and Ron Magnoni Jr., linger through framed photographs and ticket stubs adorning the walls. Originally inaugurated in June 1954, the single-screen drive-in was managed by the Dyas family until 1994 when it changed hands to Magnoni.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker plans to demolish and rebuild Stateville Correctional Center in south suburban Crest Hill. He also wants to do the same with the Logan Correctional Center in downstate Lincoln. The proposed 900-million-dollar plan must be approved by the state legislature. If the plan is approved, Stateville will be temporarily closed, with a new facility to be built on its grounds. AFSCME Council 31, which is the union that represents ten thousand correctional workers, is concerned about where offenders would be relocated.
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Tomorrow is Election Day in Illinois. Voters will narrow the field for the November election. Mostly, that means choosing local candidates. There are also a few ballot questions for voters in some communities. Voter turnout has so far been on the low side. Former President Trump’s name will be on the ballot tomorrow, not that Illinois’ presidential primary is in question. The race between President Biden and former President Trump has already been decided. Analysts say voter turnout so far for tomorrow’s primary in Illinois is significantly low, especially for a general election year. Typically, voter turnout is low in a primary year but not in a year when the presidential election is held. One Northwestern University analyst — Political Communications Professor Erik Nisbet — says turnout numbers are the lowest he has seen in more than a decade. Experts say “get out the vote” efforts will be more crucial than ever this year.
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Starting next year, high school juniors across Illinois will likely be taking the federally mandated state college entrance exam — the ACT. Illinois students have been taking the SAT college entrance exam for the past eight years after 15 years when the other major national exam the ACT was used. The state board has begun the process of awarding a three-year, 53-million-dollar contract to ACT. The ACT would be administered beginning with the 2024-2025 school year but students could still take the SAT if they pay for it.
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A 49-year-old Gillette, Wyoming, man has charges from Streator Police after a traffic stop Sunday night on Bridge Street in Illinois. Scott M. Scaggs was given two citations for driving under the influence of alcohol and a third ticket for improper lane usage. His vehicle was impounded and towed. Scaggs has a notice to appear in LaSalle County Court.
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Ottawa Police arrested 25-year-old Jose G. Perez of Ottawa Friday in the 1000 block of West Main Street on a LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court on a driving under the influence charge.
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A 22-year-old Marseilles man has been charged by Ottawa Police for speeding, improper lane usage, and no valid driver’s license after a traffic stop Saturday at East Norris Drive and Brickton. Jorge A. Flores-Mandujano has a notice to appear in court.
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24-year-old Samantha L. Pouk was arrested Saturday by Ottawa Police in the 1500 block of Columbus Street on a LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
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37-year-old Vanessa L. Hollins of Ottawa has a charge of driving on a suspended license after a traffic stop by Ottawa Police Sunday in the 2700 block of Columbus Street.
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A three-vehicle accident in Mission Township late Friday afternoon resulted in minor injuries. LaSalle County Deputies say 21-year-old Jose Ramirez of Depue was southbound on Illinois 71 and rear-ended a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Mark Sanchez of Aurora, causing Sanchez to enter the northbound lane and collide with a motorcycle driven by 20-year-old Michael Sturm of Oswego. Ramirez was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and Sanchez was ticketed for expired registration.
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WEATHER:
Monday
A slight chance of flurries before 10 am. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Steven Beryl Tullis, 54, of LaSalle, passed away on Tuesday, March 12th, at his home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. today, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the funeral home before the service.
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Rickie Daniels, 66, of Sauk Village, IL formerly of Seneca, passed away Saturday, March 9th, at Franciscan Hospital in Dyer, Indiana. Visitation will be today, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at Osborne-Nelson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
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Gerald “Jerry” Walsh, 87, of Serena, passed away Friday, March 15th, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 20th, at Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory. There will also be a visitation from 9:00 am until 10:00 am on Thursday, March 21st at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Thursday, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Private burial will take place in St. Columba Cemetery.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Baseball
Marquette 8, Newton 1: The Crusader beat the Newton Eagle on Saturday.
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Serena 8, Ashton-Franklin Center 6: At Serena, the Raiders get the win
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Middle School:
The Trinity Catholic eighth-grade volleyball team placed third in the IESA Class 1A tournament over the weekend in Kankakee. Trinity finishes the season 18-2.
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In Class 3A, Peru Parkside lost to Staunton in Friday’s quarterfinal in Eureka. The Raiders finish the season 21-3.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
>>White Sox Draw A’s
The Chicago White Sox played to a 3-3 tie with the Oakland A’s in a Spring Training game at Hohokam Stadium. Korey Lee and Gavin Sheets both went deep in the contest. Drew Thorpe mans the rubber for the Southsiders against Cleveland today.
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>>Cubs Beat Rangers
The Chicago Cubs scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth during an 8-6 Spring Training win over the Rangers at Sloan Park. Jake Slaughter and Christian Franklin both homered in the win, and Javier Assad earned the win after striking out four and allowing just one run in three-and-two-thirds innings. Daniel Palencia picked up the save. The Cubs take on the D-Backs tomorrow night.
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>>Bulls Crush Wizards
The Chicago Bulls had no problems with the Washington Wizards during a 127-98 win at United Center on Saturday. The Bulls lead by as many as 29 points in the victory. Ayo Dosunmu led the way with 34 points, while Nikola Vucevic had a double-double of 29 points and 13 boards. Chicago is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference at 33-and-35. The Bulls host Portland tonight.
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>>Blackhawks Sink Sharks
The Chicago Blackhawks scored four goals in the third period of a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks at United Center. The Hawks trailed by two after the first period before scoring five unanswered goals to win the game. Philipp Kurashev, Ryan Donato, Kevin Korchinski, Joey Anderson, and Connor Bedard all lit the lamp. Chicago is still in last place in the Central Division with 43 points and a 19-44-and-5 record. The Hawks visit the Kings tomorrow night.
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>>Bears Ship Justin Fields To Pittsburgh
The Chicago Bears swung a major trade over the weekend. The team traded Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2025. The quarterback joins newly signed and former Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh. ESPN reports Fields is not expected to challenge Wilson for the starting job. The former Chicago gunslinger guided his team to a 7-and-10 record last season and threw for a career-best 2,562 yards to go with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
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>>Illinois Wins Big Ten Championship
The number-one Illinois Fighting Illini are the Big Ten champions after a 93-87 win against number-24 Wisconsin at the Target Center in the conference championship. The game was tied at 85 with under two minutes left in regulation before Terrence Shannon Jr. knocked down a three to put the Illini up for good. Shannon had 34 points in the victory, while Marcus Domask finished with 26. The Illini earned a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament, and they’ll take on Morehead State on Thursday.
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>>Northwestern Falls In Quarterfinals
The Northwestern Wildcats lost to number-24 Wisconsin in the Big Ten Quarterfinals at the Target Center on Friday. The Wildcats tied the game early in the second half before Wisconsin took control for good. Boo, Buie had 29 points in the losing effort. Northwestern is a nine-seed in the NCAA Tournament, and the Wildcats take on eight-seed Florida Atlantic on Friday.
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The NCAA Tournament fields are set. Illinois will be the third seed in the East Region, which means a Friday game against Morehead State. Iowa State will be the second seed in the East Region, they will take on South Dakota State on Thursday. Iowa’s women’s team grabbed the top seed in the NCAA Women’s Albany Regional. The lady Hawkeyes will play the winner of the Holy Cross-University of Tennessee-Martin game on either Friday or Saturday.