Yesterday police apprehended a man who fled custody. The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from the public and arrested suspect Austin Moon when he was heading eastbound on the side of I-80.
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Two fatalities occurred over the Fourth of July holiday in LaSalle County. Shortly after midnight on Friday, July 5, LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 3073 E. 12 Rd. for an incident involving illegal fireworks. Utica Fire and EMS also responded. A man was transported to OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital – Ottawa where he later died due to injuries sustained from the accident. LaSalle County Coroner Rich Ploch identified the victim as 25-year-old Chance Ruger of Ottawa. The incident is under investigation by the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office, LaSalle County Coroner’s Office, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Less than 24 hours earlier, 19-year-old Joel Rangel of Granville died at the scene of a rollover accident near Cedar Point just after 3 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Rangel and a female passenger in the car were both thrown from the vehicle. The woman was treated at a hospital. LaSalle County Corner Rich Ploch says preliminary autopsy results show Rangle died of injuries sustained in the accident which remains under investigation by the State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit as well as the LaSalle County Coroner.
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When Illinois high school students sit down to take their annual state assessments next year, they will take a different exam than in recent years. The Illinois State Board of Education recently announced that starting next spring, it will use the ACT exam rather than the SAT. Both standardized tests measure students’ proficiency in core subjects such as English, language arts and math. Both are also commonly used for scholarship applications and college admissions, although many colleges and universities have stopped requiring standardized tests. Illinois, however, also uses them as part of the battery of tests schools administer each year to meet federal mandates under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Results of those tests are reported each year on the Illinois Report Card and are used to hold schools and districts accountable for meeting basic academic standards. According to ISBE, one of the advantages of switching exams is the ACT includes a science component, whereas the SAT only covers the core subjects of reading, writing, and math. That means 11th-grade students will no longer have to take a separate Illinois Science Assessment, reducing overall testing time.
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Run Today For Tomorrow, a non-profit organization dedicated to mental health and suicide prevention, announced Friday their 5K Run/Walk on June 22 raised $26,560. The Run Today for Tomorrow initiative was founded by Emily Hardee in memory of Molly Yacko, Hardee’s cousin, who died of suicide in 2018. Funds raised during the event go to mental health entities and a scholarship fund distributed through the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation. Scholarship applications will be available after the first of the year. This year’s run had 217 registered participants.
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LaSalle County Deputies arrested 33-year-old Blake Couch of Marseilles during a traffic stop at Rt. 6 and E 9th Rd. in Utica Township yesterday morning. Couch was charged with speeding, violating license class and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. He was later released with a notice to appear at LaSalle County court.
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A Streator woman was arrested for two DUIs in Ottawa on July 5. Ottawa Police apprehended 43-year-old Amanda S. Augustine in the 600 block of Clinton St. Augustine was charged with two DUIs, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
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Authorities are trying to identify a body found in the Illinois River in Peoria County. The Peoria County Sheriff’s Office was called out Saturday after the body was located in the river behind Liberty Steel in Bartonville. The body belongs to a black male and appears to have been in the river for at least 24 hours. No cause of death has been released.
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A Dixon man faces multiple gun charges. Dixon Police received information yesterday about an individual on parole in possession of several firearms. Detectives initiated an investigation and identified Nicholas Davis as the suspect. He was arrested on outstanding Lee and Ogle County warrants.
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WEATHER:
Monday
A few showers early with scattered thunderstorms arriving for the afternoon. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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Monday Night
Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Ronald J. Winnicki, 64, of Ottawa, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 1st, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. A celebration of life for Ronald J. Winnicki will be held on July 20th at The Lone Buffalo in Ottawa, IL, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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SPORTS:
Spring Valley 13, Ottawa 0:
At the District 20 Senior League Baseball Central Region Tournament Spring Valley got the 13-0, five-inning victory over Ottawa on Sunday at Dickinson Field. Spring Valley advances to the region tournament in Peru, which begins with opening ceremonies Friday before games get underway Saturday.
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White Sox Collapse In Ninth
The White Sox gave up four runs in the bottom of the ninth during a 7-4 loss to the Miami Marlins at Loan Depot Park. The Sox led by a run entering the inning before Michael Kopech gave up a game-tying double to Josh Bell. Later in the inning, Kopech surrendered a walk-off three-run home run to former teammate Jake Burger. Kopech was charged with his eighth loss in relief, while Danny Mendick hit his third home run in the losing effort. The Southsiders remain in last place in the AL Central at 26-and-66. Chris Flexen starts for Chicago against Minnesota tonight. In other team news, starting pitcher Garrett Crochet was selected to the American League roster for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game yesterday.
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Cubs Shut Out Angels To Win Series
The Cubs shut out the Angels 5-0 to win their three-game series at Wrigley Field. Hayden Wesneski collected his third victory of the year after striking out two batters over six and a third scoreless innings. Hector Neris secured his 12th save of the season after striking out the last batter of the game. Michael Busch led the way at the dish after going one for four with a two-run homer. Chicago is now in last place in the NL Central at 42-and-49. The Cubs visit Baltimore tomorrow night. In other club news, starting pitcher Shota Imanaga was selected to the National League roster for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game yesterday.
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Bulls Send DeRozan To Kings
The Bulls have officially moved on from DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls sent the All-Star forward to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade on Saturday. Chicago received guard Chris Duarte, two second-round picks, and cash from Sacramento to complete the deal. DeRozan averaged 25-and-a-half points, five-point-one assists, and four-point-seven rebounds per game during his three-year stint with Chicago.
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Sky Fall To Storm
The Chicago Sky fell apart in the second half of their 84-71 loss to the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. Chicago had an eight-point lead at halftime before getting outscored 53-32 the rest of the way. Chennedy Carter led the team with 21 points, while Angel Reese finished with 17 and 14 rebounds. The Sky are in eighth place in the WNBA at 8-and-12. The Sky hosts the Dream on Wednesday.
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Alex Bowman Wins Chicago Street Race
Alex Bowman held off the NASCAR Cup Series field through the wet and sloppy streets of Chicago to take home the checkered flag in the Grant Park 165. The driver of the Number-48 car snapped an 80-race winless streak and became the 12th different winner of the Cup Series season. He earned a spot in the postseason, while Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, Joey Hand, and Michael McDowell rounded out the Top-Five finishers. The field heads to Pocono Raceway for the Great American Getaway 400 next Sunday.