Music In The Park on Saturday and Sunday nights, a food truck festival, art and a focus on kids highlight the weekend in Ottawa while Marseilles continues with the 8-days of Fun Days into Sunday.
21 food trucks will be in downtown Ottawa from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Infinity Food Truck Festival. The food trucks will be parked around Washington Square Park and the Jordan Block on the 100 block of West Main Street. The annual Art In the Park Fine Arts Show and Sale runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington Park with original art on display including sculptures, ceramics, photography, traditional paintings and artwork in wood, glass, and metal.
Also in Washington Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. is the second Music In The Park event featuring Strung Out. Some of the food trucks around the square will remain open until 8 p.m. for attendees.
Closer to the river is the Starved Rock Regional Center’s Celebration Kids Expo in the Riverfront Park east of the new Ottawa YMCA. The expo features a car show, kids activities including games and crafts along with bounce houses.
In Marseilles at Knudson Park, Friday night music features Fiddlerock at 5 p.m. and Wreckin’ Dixie at 8 p.m. Saturday’s music lineup is The Blooze Brothers at 5 p.m. and Jessie’s Girl 80’s at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks during one of the band’s breaks. Sunday’s Fun Days parade is at 1 p.m. A full list of Marseilles Fun Days activities is on the city’s website and social media pages.
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A 39-year-old woman was found dead in her vehicle at Baker Lake in Peru Thursday morning. Peru Police and firefighters were called to the scene around 9:30 a.m. and called the coroner’s office upon arrival. No foul play is suspected.
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The Ottawa Police Benevolent & Protective Association has begun its 2024 fundraising campaign for the Back to School Shopping event. Ottawa area residents may have received a fundraising request letter in their water bill or may be receiving one in the mail. Applications are now available at the Ottawa Police Department or on our Facebook page. The application deadline is July 26, with the tentative date for shopping being August 1.
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A man is being sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges related to a deadly crash in Peoria. Demetrius Drummond was found guilty in April of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm. Prosecutors say Drummond was at a party in October 2023 in the 200 block of East Thrush Avenue. After arguing with another partygoer, Drummond fired his gun in the air and caused a commotion in the street as people began to flee. During that panic, Kobe Johnson was hit and killed by a car.
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One person is wounded following a shooting in Champaign. Police say a man was found shot early yesterday in the 700 Block of Mattis Avenue. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made.
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Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard is this year’s winner of the Calder Trophy. The Calder Award is given to the rookie of the year in the NHL. Bedard led all rookies in 2023-24 in goals with 22 and points with 61.
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Northwestern University is releasing a report it commissioned in response to the football hazing scandal that led to the firing of former coach Pat Fitzgerald. The university hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to lead the independent review of the university and its athletics department. Lynch concluded that Northwestern has “robust” policies and training against hazing and bullying in place. However, she said there is a lack of clear guidance on how to respond to student-athlete concerns, which could lead to inconsistent responses. Northwestern faces lawsuits from several former football players.
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WEATHER
Today
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. East southeast wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tonight
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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Saturday
A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 74. North northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
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SPORTS
White Sox Blank Braves
The Chicago White Sox surrendered just three hits during a 1-0 win over the Atlanta Braves at Guaranteed Rate Field. Chad Kuhl got the start during a bullpen game for the Southsiders. He pitched three scoreless innings before turning it over to the rest of the pen. Jared Shuster earned the win in relief, while Michael Kopech picked up his sixth save. Luis Robert Jr. hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first to provide the game’s only run. The Sox snapped a four-game losing streak, but they remain in last place in the NL Central at 22-and-61. Drew Thorpe starts for the White Sox against the Rockies tonight.
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Cubs Down Giants In Extra Innings To Avoid Four-Game Sweep
Ian Happ hit a two-run homer in the top of the 10th inning to help the Cubs avoid a four-game sweep against the Giants. Chicago defeated San Francisco 5-3 in a 10-inning contest at Oracle Park. Nico Hoerner had a strong day at the plate for Chicago, going three-for-five with a home run and two RBI. Hector Neris earned the win and moved to 7-and-2 on the season after throwing two strikeouts through one scoreless inning of relief. Porter Hodge recorded his first career save as the Cubs snapped a four-game losing streak. Chicago is fourth in the NL Central at 38-and-44. Jameson Taillon starts for the Cubs against Milwaukee tonight.
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Sky Lose To Aces
The Chicago Sky had a lull in the second quarter of their 95-83 loss to the Las Vegas Aces at Wintrust Arena. Chicago led by four after the first quarter before getting outscored 25-14 in the second. Chicago took a brief lead in the third quarter before Vegas raced out to an 18-point lead in the fourth. Marina Mabrey scored 21 points in the losing effort, while Chennedy Carter finished with 20. The Sky are in eighth place in the WNBA at 6-and-10. Chicago hosts Minnesota on Sunday.
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Fire Visit Seattle
The Chicago Fire FC look to get back in the win column when they visit the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field tomorrow. The Fire are coming off a 4-2 loss to Orlando City last weekend. The loss snapped Chicago’s four-match point streak. The Fire are in last place in the Eastern Conference with four wins, six draws, and nine losses for 18 points. Tomorrow’s match kicks off at 9:30 p.m.