Sarah Petritsch who was reported missing on June 26 has been located and is now with family, according to the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office. Petritsch was located safe yesterday. No foul play or criminal activity was found during the investigation.
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A couple of traffic notes from the City of Ottawa this morning. Contractors for the city are expected to complete the final restoration of the sidewalk in front of the new building under construction at 205-207 West Main Street today and tomorrow. On-street parking on the south side of the 200 block of West Main Street will be restricted and there will be no pedestrian access. Also, the Post Street bridge over Goose Creek is closed. There is no through traffic allowed from Prairie Street to Bellevue Ave.
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In preparation for the arrival of the “We The People” traveling exhibit in Ottawa this morning, volunteers last Thursday lined LaSalle Street from Washington Square Park to Main Street as well as the 200 and 300 blocks of West Main Street with American and state flags from the American Legion Post 33. The procession of the “We The People” exhibit is this morning beginning at 10 a.m. in Morris. The caravan, which includes the Illinois State Patriot Guard and area first responders, will travel U.S. 6 through Seneca and Marseilles and into Ottawa on 6 & 71 along East Norris Drive to Illinois 23. The caravan will then move southbound along Columbus and LaSalle St. to Main before turning west to the finish at the IVCC downtown Ottawa campus. The caravan is expected to arrive in Ottawa at about 10:30 a.m. The caravan’s centerpiece is two beam pieces from the north tower of the World Trade Center which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A brief traffic interruption may occur at intersections along U.S. 6, Illinois 71, and Illinois 23 as the caravan arrives in Ottawa. The exhibit is on loan to the Ottawa Visitors Center from the Oak Lawn Children’s Museum. A grand opening ceremony is set for Saturday, July 6 at 10 a.m. with the exhibit on display for public viewing daily through July 31.
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The Ottawa Police Department is issuing a traffic advisory for Thursday night’s Fourth of July fireworks show over the Fox and Illinois Rivers. The fireworks, sponsored by the Ottawa First non-profit group, will again be launched from the dike on the south side of the Ottawa Township High School campus. Seating will be open using the football bleachers on King Field, but due to the construction of a new entrance, the east student lot is closed this year. Ottawa Police have arranged for parking which can accommodate 300 vehicles on the west end of the old Central School property just east of the new Ottawa YMCA. The parking area will be open after 6 p.m. Thursday with a police-directed entrance off Albin Stevens Drive. Those who then want to view the fireworks from the high school can use the riverwalk to East Main Street. After the fireworks, vehicles leaving the parking area just east of the YMCA will be directed by police officers to West Main St. The City of Ottawa stresses there will be traffic congestion in the downtown area after the fireworks show and encourages drivers to have patience. Also, Ottawa Police are reminding drivers that there is no parking along Illinois 71 near Allen Park, and those inside Allen Park need to park legally. There will also be no parking allowed on East Prospect St. or Catherine St. directly above Allen Park so that emergency vehicles can access the area if needed.
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31-year-old Cesar R. Hernandez of Streator was charged by Streator Police with aggravated assault Friday night just before 9 p.m. after an incident in the 100 block of North Park. He was released with a court date.
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42-year-old Jesse L. Vidergar of Streator has a LaSalle County court date after being cited by Streator Police for disorderly conduct Friday evening in the 1400 block of North Sterling St.
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Simon J. Scott of Streator is charged with domestic battery after Streator Police dealt with an incident shortly before 8 p.m. Friday in the 600 block of South Shabbona St. The 43-year-old man was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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26-year-old Matthew Furbee of Streator was cited by Ottawa Police Saturday at Columbus and Deleon Streets for driving on a suspended license, driving an uninsured vehicle, and suspended registration.
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20-year-old James Scott of Ottawa was charged Saturday with criminal damage to property after Ottawa Police investigated an incident in the 1300 block of Dakota Dr.
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A Streator woman has a charge of retail theft. 35-year-old Carolyn J. Morgan was arrested by Streator Police Saturday evening in the 200 block of Pratt St. She was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A 16-year-old Marseilles male was not injured in a single-vehicle accident in Manlius Township shortly after midnight on Saturday.LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies say he lost control of his vehicle near East 2525th and North 28th Roads on a wet and rocky roadway, went into a ditch, struck a culvert, and hit a tree.
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LaSalle County Deputies responded to Valley West Hospital shortly after midnight Sunday and spoke with a 17-year-old male victim of domestic battery. Deputies later arrested 55-year-old Roberta Clark-Mosley of Somonauk at 698 Karen Dr. in Lake Holiday on a charge of domestic battery. She was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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New legislation goes into effect today in Illinois. The statewide gas tax jumps by two cents to 47 cents a gallon today. Taxes on sports wagering also go up. The tax will increase from a 15% flat tax to a progressive rate of 35%. Also, undocumented migrants can now apply for a standard Illinois driver’s license. These types of licenses would replace the current Temporary Visitor Driver’s License.
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Patrick Williams is staying in Chicago. ESPN reports the Bulls forward signed a five-year deal worth $90 million. Williams has spent the first four seasons of his career with Chicago. He averaged ten points and 3.9 rebounds last season.
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The Illinois State Fire Marshal is urging Illinoisans to be safe while grilling on the 4th of July holiday. The National Fire Protection Association says on average, just over ten thousand home fires are started by a grill each year. The state fire marshal has offered safety tips for grilling, including that propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors. Grills should be placed away from the home or deck railing, and out from under eaves of your home and overhanging tree branches. Children and pets should be kept at least three feet away from the grilling area.
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Governor Pritzker is approving two bills for LGBTQ-plus rights. The governor signed both measures yesterday, in advance of the 2024 Chicago Pride Parade. One bill requires nonprofits to publicly report demographic information about their boards of directors to encourage nonprofits to reflect the diversity of the communities they support. The other removes barriers to the process of changing the legal gender on a birth certificate for Illinois residents born in other states.
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WEATHER:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 78. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east southeast in the afternoon.
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Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 62. East-southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Rose Marie (Widmayer) Fredericks, 81, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 26th, at OSF St Elizabeth Hospital. Visitation for Rose Marie (Widmayer) Fredericks will be Monday, July 1st from 4 – 7 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 2nd at 10 am Rose Marie (Widmayer) Fredericks will be laid to rest in the Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
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Russell James Martin of Bradenton, Florida passed away Friday, June 14th, at 87. A visitation for Russell James Martin will be held on Friday, July 5, from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial for Russell James Martin will be at 10:00 am, and burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Seneca.
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SPORTS:
White Sox Fall To Rockies In Extras
the Chicago White Sox had their two-game winning streak snapped with a 5-4, 14-inning loss against the Colorado Rockies at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Southsiders sent the game to extras when Andrew Vaughn drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh, and Chicago matched Colorado’s runs in both the tenth and 13th innings. However, the Sox went down in order in the bottom of the 14th after Colorado scored in the top half of the frame. Vaughn homered in the losing effort, while Mike Soroka was charged with his eighth loss in relief. Chicago is in last place in the AL Central at 24-and-62. The White Sox visit Cleveland tomorrow night.
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Cubs Lose To Brewers
The Chicago Cubs had just two hits during a 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Nico Hoerner led off the game with a home run to give the Cubs an early lead, but Milwaukee plated seven runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kyle Hendricks was responsible for all seven runs and was charged with his sixth loss after tossing just three-and-two-thirds innings. The Cubs are in last place in the NL Central at 39-and-46. The Northsiders host Philadelphia tomorrow night.
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Blackhawks Make Three First-Round Picks
The future is here for the Chicago Blackhawks. The team made three selections in the first round of the NHL Draft on Friday. The Hawks chose Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov at pick two, picked forward Sacha Boisvert at 18, and took forward Marek Vanacker after trading up to pick 27. Chicago also selected four forwards and a defenseman in the later rounds of the draft on Saturday.
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Williams Inks Extension With Bulls
Patrick Williams is staying in Chicago. ESPN is reporting that the Bulls forward signed a five-year deal worth 90 million dollars with the team on Saturday. The fifth year of the contract is a player option. Williams has spent the first four seasons of his career with Chicago. He averaged ten points and three-point-nine rebounds in 43 games with the Bulls last season.
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Reese Sets Record In Sky’s Loss To Minnesota
Angel Reese is setting records during her rookie season. The Sky forward had ten points and 16 rebounds during a 70-62 loss to the Minnesota Lynx yesterday. It was her tenth straight double-double, which is the new WNBA record for most consecutive double-doubles. However, her team was outscored 18-5 in the fourth quarter of the 70-62 loss at Wintrust Arena. Chennedy Carter had 15 points in the losing effort. The Sky are in ninth place in the WNBA at 6-and-11. Chicago visits Atlanta tomorrow night.