Flood Warnings continue on the Illinois and Fox Rivers into Friday. As of Tuesday evening, Illinois at Ottawa was a half-foot above flood stage with a crest 8/10 of a foot above flood stage by this afternoon. It will fall below the flood stage by late Friday morning. At LaSalle, the river was 2.1 feet above flood stage as of Tuesday evening with a forecast crest of 3.8 feet above flood stage by early Friday morning. The lower lot and boat ramps at Starved Rock State Park are closed. The Fox River is near the bank behind St. Elizabeth’s Hospital due to the flooded Illinois River. The reading on the Fox at Dayton Tuesday night was 10.4 feet. The flood stage is 20 feet with a forecast to rise to near flood stage by early Thursday morning.
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Beginning next week, the Illinois 251 bridge in Peru will undergo a month-long maintenance project. The work includes washing the bridge structure and repairing expansion joints. Traffic will be restricted to a single lane, managed by construction flaggers. However, both lanes will be open after each workday.
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Officials with the Illinois Tollway Authority say they’ve shut down the latest impostor scam — but motorists should be aware the scam may persist. The scam involved fake texts warning motorists of legal action if they don’t pay their fine — when in fact, no penalties have been imposed. Experts warn drivers to be wary of any text that demands immediate payment. Even though the scam may be shut down, copycat thieves may still be operating.
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During Tuesday night’s session, the Ottawa City Council learned that the bid granted for the 2024 water main replacement program came in $200,000 below the allocated budget. Commissioner Brent Barron reported that Pohar and Sons of La Salle secured the contract with a bid of $919,069, significantly lower than anticipated. Additionally, Barron sought approval for maintenance at Well No. 8, to be conducted by Laine Christiansen at a cost not exceeding $150,000, explaining the necessity due to a loss of pressure in the well-requiring pump repair. He also highlighted the city’s obligation to formulate a “source water protection plan” mandated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, necessitating the hiring of Fehr Graham Engineering Services for its development. Mayor Robb Hasty read out two proclamations designating April as Fair Housing Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, respectively, emphasizing community efforts toward promoting strong families. The council further authorized agreements with Earlville for communication services and with Goodwill Industries for transit and announced a public hearing regarding the city’s operating budget for April 16. Additionally, they awarded Danchris Nursery of Streator the $7,700 bid for the annual tree planting and mulching project.
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Following a break-in at Cimco Recycling in Ottawa on March 15th, Ottawa Police investigators discovered evidence of forced entry and several missing items. 45-year-old Caleb Prose of Girard and 45-year-old Raleigh Klabbatz of Streator emerged as suspects. A search of Klabbatz’s residence yielded several stolen items, while Prose was already incarcerated at the Montgomery County Jail in Hillsboro for a previous burglary charge related to a break-in at a closed power plant in Hennepin. Both Prose and Klabbatz face one felony count each of burglary in connection with the Cimco Recycling incident and have been assigned court dates. Klabbatz was recently paroled in February after serving time for drug-related offenses in La Salle County.
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Peoria’s newly inaugurated OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute celebrated the arrival of its inaugural patient undergoing proton-beam-radiation therapy, a groundbreaking treatment primarily employed for cancers affecting the head and neck, prostate, spine, breast, sarcoma, brain, and esophagus. Distinguished as the sole facility offering proton therapy in the region beyond Chicago and St. Louis, the OSF Cancer Institute, under the leadership of Dr. James McGee, emphasizes the minimally invasive nature of its treatments. By precisely targeting tumor sites, the therapy mitigates radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. Tim Scott from Princeton marks the institute’s pioneering patient since its February inauguration, with expectations soaring for treating over 3,700 patients annually.
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On Tuesday, Illinois Valley Community College hosted its inaugural organ and tissue donor drive, spearheaded by La Salle County Coroner Rich Ploch. Ploch noted the uncertainty among individuals regarding their registration status and the reluctance some feel to discuss the topic. Debbie DeVito, a representative from Gift of Hope, emphasized that while the primary objective of the drive is to bolster the donor registry, they also dedicate efforts to addressing inquiries and debunking misconceptions. This initiative aligns with the observance of National Donate Life Month in April. Organ donation can save up to eight lives, while tissue donation can enhance up to 20. Campaigns like the one
initiated by Gift of Hope, alongside the inspiring legacies of figures like Walter Payton and Jesse White, aim to boost registration rates. Despite challenges like the pandemic, efforts continue to educate and encourage people to join the registry, to increase enrollment by 5% this April alone. Ultimately, the aim is to achieve even higher rates of enrollment, reflecting a community informed about the transformative power of donation.
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Marquis Energy in Hennepin donated $10,000 to bolster the Stateline Farm Rescue training class for MABAS Division 57, held on March 16. Thirty participants from ten local fire departments engaged in simulated rescue scenarios, including grain entrapment, facilitated by Stateline Farm Rescue’s simulator. This hands-on exercise equipped first responders with crucial techniques tailored for farm-related emergencies, aligning closely with National Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week. The simulator, featuring triangle-shaped openings in grain panels, prepared participants to handle grain entrapment and auger accidents, ensuring readiness for potential life-saving interventions. The training underscored the critical skills needed to respond effectively to farm emergencies, resonating with the broader community’s commitment to agricultural safety.
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Yesterday around 7:50 am, seven individuals, including five special needs students, the bus driver, and another individual, were rescued after their school bus got stranded in water near Leasure Road, east of Route 102 in Wilmington. The Wilmington Fire Department swiftly responded, deploying Swiftwater Rescue personnel to the scene. The bus was approximately 300 feet from the water’s edge when rescuers reached it. They efficiently prepared the occupants for evacuation and safely transported them out of the floodwaters, shuttling them back to the bus via inflatable rescue devices. Fortunately, none of the occupants required hospitalization, and the students were smoothly transitioned onto an alternate bus. The status of any citation for the bus driver remains undisclosed, and no information as to why the driver attempted to go through high-standing water.
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Governor J.B. Pritzker has announced the launch of a new quantum research initiative he says will improve energy and manufacturing. The plan would develop technology solutions for fraud detection and drug discovery. The Bloch Tech Hub in Chicago submitted the idea while applying for federal funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. With this initiative, Pritzker says Illinois is ready to lead the world in quantum research and innovation.
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State Senate Republicans are pushing for reform of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board following the murder of an eleven-year-old Chicago boy. The boy — Jayden Perkins — and his mother were attacked by a man last month who had just been released on parole. Senate Republicans say Perkins’ death could have been prevented. They say the Prisoner Review Board needs changes, including yearly training on domestic violence and sexual assault for all board members. Governor J. B. Pritzker has directed the board to create expanded training on domestic violence.
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There is a plan at the Illinois Capitol to require anyone who wants to buy a gun to take a firearms safety class. Democratic state Representative Maura Hirschauer has legislation that would require people to take a class before they could get their new gun. The classes would be eight hours long and must be from trainers who are approved by the State Police. Hirschauer says making sure that people who buy guns know how to safely use them will only make Illinois safer. Republicans and Second Amendment supporters in the state don’t like the idea.
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The following subjects have recently been issued a Notice to Appear in court by the LaSalle County State Attorney’s Office, after investigations conducted by Trident Agents.
Robert D. Matthews, age 52, of Streator, IL is charged with two counts of Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine a class 2 Felony. Matthews is alleged to have delivered less than 5 grams to Trident Agents on two separate occasions.
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Edgar L. Phillips, age 37, Peru, IL is charged with Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance a class 1 felony. Phillips is alleged to have delivered more than 1 gram but less than 15 grams of cocaine to Trident Agents.
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Destiny V. Orozco, age 22 of Ottawa, IL is charged with Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance a class 2 felony. Orozco is alleged to have delivered less than 1 gram of cocaine to Trident Agents.
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Robert A Ellis, age 36, LaSalle, IL is charged with two counts of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Ellis is alleged to have delivered more than 1 gram but less than 15 grams of cocaine to Trident Agents a class 1 felony and less than 1 gram of cocaine to Trident Agents on a separate occasion a class 2 felony.
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Donald N. Lage, age 43, Wedron, IL is charged with Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance a class 1 felony. Lage is alleged to have delivered more than 1 gram but less than 15 grams of cocaine to Trident Agents.
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Following a narcotics search warrant executed by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office in Flanagan on March 27th, four individuals found themselves in custody. Callista Kummer, 32, from Flanagan, faced charges including unlawful delivery of fentanyl, a class one felony, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class four felony. Sierra Slaughter, 26, and Seth Rich, 42, both from Flanagan, were charged with unlawful delivery of meth, a class X felony, along with two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, both class three felonies. Trevor Rich, 50, from Fairbury, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class four felony. Police authorities reported the seizure of 23 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 18 grams of meth, 4 grams of heroin/fentanyl, and various drug-related materials. Additionally, law enforcement confiscated a 10-gauge shotgun, a 9 mm handgun, a .45 caliber handgun, a short-barrel AR 15 along with four 40-round magazines and two 30-round magazines.
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WEATHER:
…The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in
Illinois. Illinois River at Ottawa affecting La Salle County. Illinois River at La Salle affects La Salle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties.
* WHAT…Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE…Illinois River from Starved Rock Lock and Dam downstream
to the confluence with Big Bureau Creek, including the La Salle gauge.
* WHEN…Until further notice.
* IMPACTS…At 22.0 feet, the Lower parking lot at Starved Rock State
The park is inundated east of La Salle. High water levels begin to
impact shipping interests along the river.
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Wednesday
Snow before 9 am, then rain and snow. High near 39. Windy, with a west wind of 15 to 20 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch is possible.
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Wednesday Night
Rain and snow are likely before 3 am, then a chance of snow between 3 am and 5 am, then a chance of rain and snow after 5 am. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
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OBITUARIES:
Edward J. Kuleck, 76, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, March 24th, at his home, surrounded by family. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa with an honor guard from the Knights of Columbus. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 4th, at St. Columba Church. Burial will take place at St. Columba Cemetery at a later date.
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Bill A. Bernardoni, 73, of Seneca, formerly of Ottawa, went home to Jesus on Friday, March 29th, in Peoria. Visitation will be at Ottawa Funeral Home on Friday, April 5th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 6th at 10:00a.m at Fox River Lutheran Church in Sheridan.
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Edwin E. Bartlett, 94, of Streator, formerly of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, March 31st, at OSF St. Francis in Peoria. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 5th at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park, where Full Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, at the funeral home.
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Ronald C. Kesner, 71, of Marseilles, passed away on April 1st, at his home. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 6th at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles. Funeral services will follow at noon at the funeral home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
BASEBALL
Dyersburg (Tenn.) 3, St. Bede 0: The Bruins outhit the Trojans but couldn’t push any runs across in Dyersburg, Tennessee.
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PRO & COLLEGE SPORTS:
The White Sox are in the win column for the first time this season. The Sox edged the Braves 3-2 in Chicago. Paul DeJong crushed a seventh-inning solo homer, while Andrew Vaughn singled home the eventual game-winning run in the eighth. Garrett Crochet earned the win after giving up one run over seven innings, and Michael Kopech earned his first save of the season. Chicago is 1-and-4 to start the year. The Southsiders host the Braves weather permitting, again this afternoon with a 12:30 pre-game and a 1:10 pm first pitch.
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The Cubs blew out the Rockies 12-2 for their third consecutive victory. Javier Assad earned his first win of the season after striking out five batters over six scoreless innings. Seiya Suzuki, Christopher Morel, Garrett Cooper, and Cody Bellinger each went deep for the Cubs. Chicago is now 3-and-2. The series concludes at Wrigley Field tonight.
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The Chicago Blackhawks gave up a pair of goals in the third period of their 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. Jason Dickinson scored in the first period to give the Blackhawks an early lead, but Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom both lit the lamp for New York to give Chicago the loss. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 49 points and a 22-48-and-5 record. The Hawks host the Stars on Saturday.
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The Chicago Bulls are gearing up for a big match-up against the New York Knicks at the United Center on Friday night. The Bulls are looking to get back in the win column after falling to the Atlanta Hawks 113-101 on Monday night. Chicago is just a half-game ahead of Atlanta for ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 36-and-40 record. Friday’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.