Starting today, Green Street and Canal Road in Ottawa will be closed from Chapel Street to Old Chicago Road, affecting both vehicles and pedestrians. This closure, essential for the final phase of the Green Street elevation project, aims to lift the road above the flood-prone area and is expected to last until December 1. During this period, traffic patterns will be significantly disrupted, particularly impacting Ottawa High School and the East Side Historic District. The school, starting classes on August 8, will coordinate with the Ottawa Police Department to manage traffic flow, especially during peak times and home football games, ensuring that traffic is efficiently directed to and from the school.
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A gunshot victim injured in Streator on Saturday is expected to recover, according to an update from Deputy Chief Robert Wood on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred at City Park, where a 32-year-old man was shot in the back around 4:44 p.m. The victim was initially treated at OSF Center for Health, Streator, before being transferred to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Police identified and later found the suspect’s vehicle, a blue Chevy Monte Carlo, abandoned in South Streator. The Streator Police Department is collaborating with local law enforcement and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit to identify the shooter. Eyewitnesses reported that the shooting was a targeted attack. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Streator Police Department.
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A motorcyclist tragically lost their life Saturday morning following a collision on May Road, just east of Route 251 in Peru. Emergency responders, including police, fire, and medical services, arrived at the scene around 10:35 a.m. to find the motorcyclist unresponsive, according to Peru Police Chief Sarah Raymond. Despite the efforts of officers and EMS personnel, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene. The Peru Police Department, along with the La Salle County coroner and an Illinois State Police accident reconstructionist, is conducting an ongoing investigation. Further details will be shared as the investigation progresses. The motorcyclist’s identity is being withheld until family members are notified.
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This is the first time a sitting president hasn’t sought re-election in more than a half-century. Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson dropped out in 1968. He took the oath to succeed the assassinated President John F. Kennedy in 1963. But his circumstances were much different: He was in a tight primary and the Democratic National Convention was months away. Biden dropped out with just four weeks until the DNC in Chicago.
Several prominent Democrats, besides VP Kamala Harris, have been discussed as possible presidential hopefuls. They include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. All backed Biden, even after his shaky debate performance.
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Illinois and Iowa politicians are reacting to President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said it doesn’t matter who the Democrats nominate to replace Biden on the ticket, they all represent the same failed policies of the last four years. She added that Donald Trump will be the next President. Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen said Central and Northwestern Illinois have benefited from the President’s leadership, while Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks called on Biden to resign.
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Governor Pritzker released a statement saying President Biden dedicated his life in service to the nation. He said the President has led us through a recovery from a devastating pandemic and shepherded our economy away from a recession to prosperity. The governor also praised the President for working across the aisle to pass some of the most consequential legislation in decades to rebuild roads and bridges and invest in infrastructure and jobs. Questions are arising about the political future of Governor Pritzker after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid. The Chicago Tribune reports Pritzker will release a statement about his political future today, adding that he “would be running for something.” Pritzker has ranked among a handful of leading contenders to replace Biden at the top of the 2024 Democratic ticket. His name has also been floated as a potential running mate to Kamala Harris, who was already been endorsed by Biden to replace him.
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A global tech outage is still impacting airlines, airports, banks, and media companies. The issue is also affecting apps and servers for Microsoft 365. Long lines formed at O’Hare Airport’s Terminal One. Both United and airport flight information screens were down showing a blue error message. Over one thousand flights across the country have been
canceled and more than three thousand delayed. Midway Airport also had problems. Meanwhile, Metra officials say some trains were operating with delays due to the Microsoft outage.
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is charging a suburban Cook County man with receiving two fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans. Raoul says Raymond Harris received phony loans for over 41 thousand dollars while employed by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. He applied for them by falsely claiming that he owned a sole proprietorship business that didn’t exist.
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The Vermilion County Corner’s Office is expected to release the identity of the body found in the Vermilion River near where a 12-year-old boy went missing last week. Danville Police say the child disappeared in the river near the 100 block of Commercial Street. A body was located Friday in the river around a quarter mile downstream from that location. An autopsy was scheduled over the weekend.
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The CDC says two people have died due to a listeria outbreak in multiple states that’s connected to deli meat. In a warning issued Friday, the CDC said at least 28 others have been hospitalized, but the number of those sick from the outbreak may be higher due to some milder cases not being tested for listeria. It’s unclear what meat is responsible for those getting sick and no recalls have been issued. Most of the people who became sick reported eating liverwurst or turkey, while some said they ate ham prior to falling ill. The two deaths were reported in New Jersey and Illinois.
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The Rockford police officer who shot the man charged in the death of a local K-9 officer earlier this year won’t face charges. Authorities say K9 officer Nyx was shot and killed by Malik Trotter during a chase on January 28th. Trotter was then shot while exchanging gunfire with an officer. Prosecutors determined that the officer’s use of deadly force was justified. Trotter faces numerous charges, including killing a police canine and attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.
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Amber L. Katrien was stopped by Ottawa Police on Tuesday, July 16th, at U.S. 6 and North 29th Road. The 32-year-old Marseilles woman has charges of obstructing justice and was arrested on a parole violation warrant. 69-year-old Joshua A. Davis of the same Marseilles address as Katrien was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, adult use of cannabis by a driver, and driving on a revoked license.
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37-year-old Francis R. Nichols has a charge of criminal trespass to land. The homeless Ottawa man was arrested by Ottawa Police Sunday at Wal-Mart.
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23-year-old Zachary A. Smith of Ottawa was ticketed by Ottawa Police Sunday in the 2800 block of Columbus Street on a charge of driving on a suspended license.
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WEATHER:
Today
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 pm. Patchy fog before 8 am. Otherwise, it is mostly sunny, with a high near 83. North-northeast winds around 5 mph becoming calm.
Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. North wind around 5 mph is becoming calm.
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OBITUARIES:
Linda Kay Lindeman, 81, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, July 18th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. Arrangements and a full obituary are pending with the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox are on a seven-game losing streak following a 4-1 loss to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The game was tied in the bottom of the eighth before the Southsiders surrendered three runs. Tommy Pham drove in Chicago’s only run with a sixth-inning single. John Brebbia got the loss in relief. The Sox remain last in the AL Central at 27-and-74. Chicago sends Erick Fedde to the mound against the Rangers tonight.
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Nico Hoerner walked in the winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning as the Cubs beat the Diamondbacks 2-1 at Wrigley Field. Hoerner’s walk-off walk was made possible after Seiya Suzuki singled in the tying run in the ninth inning for the Cubs, who avoided the three-game sweep. Hector Neris was credited with his eighth win. The Cubs remain in fourth place in the NL Central at 48-and-53. Javier Assad starts for the Northsiders against Milwaukee tonight.
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The Chicago Bulls wrapped up Summer League play with a 107-81 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Sin City on Saturday. The Bulls trailed by as many as 30 points in the losing effort. Dereon Seabron led Chicago with 18 points off the bench. The Bulls went 2-and-3 during the Summer League. In other team news, Chicago inked DJ Steward to a two-way deal over the weekend.
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Angel Reese dazzled during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center on Saturday. The Sky rookie scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in 18 minutes during Team WNBA’s 117-109 win over USA Basketball. Reese and the Sky are off until they host Phoenix on August 15th.
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Training camp is underway for the Bears. The team held their first training camp practice Saturday at Halas Hall. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was under center with the number-one offense. Practice will resume this morning, with the first practice open to the public being held on Friday. The Bears are gearing up for the Hall of Fame game against the Texans in Canton, Ohio on August 1st.