OSF HealthCare recently unveiled an enhanced plan for a new hospital in Ottawa, proposing eight additional medical/surgical beds and an extra procedure room. In an off-air interview with WCMY morning host Jay LeSeure, Ottawa Commissioner of Public Safety Tom Ganiere found the plan inadequate. Although city leaders have been in discussions with OSF representatives, Ganiere notes that little action has resulted from these talks. The new hospital, which is planned to be built across from the current Saint Elizabeth Medical Center, will have fewer beds than the existing facility. Additionally, OSF’s decision to place a birthing center at their “hub” hospital in Peru has sparked opposition. Meanwhile, OSF HealthCare continues to advance its expansion and modernization efforts at the Peru hospital. You can read a full updated proposal from the Citizen for Healthcare in Ottawa on our FaceBook page from yesterday.
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The final days are approaching to view the “WE THE PEOPLE” exhibit at IVCC Ottawa Campus, featuring two beam pieces from the north tower of the World Trade Center. This poignant display commemorates the September 11th attacks. Also included is the Talk-Back Star Table, designed to engage children in community service discussions. The exhibit is open at IVCC Ottawa Campus until Wednesday, July 31st. Visitors can write thank-you notes to first responders and participate in a Flag and Star Scavenger Hunt throughout historic downtown Ottawa.
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Ottawa physician, Dr. Lawrence Powell, will ask a judge to reinstate him on the November 5th ballot for La Salle County coroner. Powell, a Republican, was removed from the race on June 17th after a ballot challenge from Democrat incumbent Rich Ploch. Ploch’s lawyer argued that Powell missed a key deadline and circulated petitions outside the specified timeframe. Powell appealed, claiming the petitions were timely and that the three-member review panel, consisting of State’s Attorney Joe Navarro, County Clerk Jennifer Ebner, and Circuit Clerk Greg Vaccaro, misinterpreted the statute. Circuit Judge Troy D. Holland has scheduled a hearing for 1:30 p.m. in the Ottawa courthouse to address Powell’s appeal.
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The former Sears building at the Peru Mall is back on the auction block after a private investor from Tracy, California failed to finalize a $1.5 million purchase. This investor had initially bid $350,000 in May, shortly after the city announced the auction. The one-story, 98,858-square-foot building, built in 2001, sits on 8.4 acres with parking for 2,491 vehicles and is positioned near major retailers like Menards, Big Lots, and Target. Peru’s Mayor remains optimistic about the property’s potential for attracting profitable retail ventures. The minimum bid is now set at $550,000, with increments of $100,000. The Sears store, part of the Peru Mall, closed in October 2017.
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The LaSalle County Health Department, in collaboration with Healthier LaSalle County and OSF HealthCare, is seeking community input to identify and prioritize local health needs. Residents are encouraged to participate in a newly launched survey available online until August 31, 2024. Community members can access and complete the survey through the provided links on the 1430 WCMY Facebook page.
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The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation (SRCCF) is set to sponsor the new Trinity Rose Montessori School in Ottawa, slated to open in fall 2025. Under the guidance of the Association Montessori Internationale and Executive Director Suzannah R. Walter, who has 31 years of Montessori teaching experience, the school will initially cater to children aged 3 to 6. Walter, also a drama director at Ottawa High School, praised SRCCF for their pivotal support, stating the project wouldn’t have been possible without them. The school aims to eventually accommodate over 20 students, offering a curriculum that includes mathematics, language, biology, and the arts. The Montessori approach, founded by Italian physician Maria Montessori, is now implemented in over 66,000 schools worldwide.
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Speculation continues to swirl about Governor Pritzker being considered for the Democratic vice presidential nomination. While appearing on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” Pritzker was asked if he has been asked to submit paperwork to be vetted as a possible running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris. He responded by saying he was unable to comment on “private conversations.” When asked if he would accept an invitation to be her running mate, Pritzker said he loves being governor of Illinois, but it would be hard to resist if he was asked to be considered for vice president.
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Hundreds of people reportedly have been sexually abused at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center on the city’s West Side. A class action lawsuit was filed this week that represents close to 200 men and women who claim they were abused at the facility since 1995. Attorneys for the plaintiffs are demanding that the facility, which was formerly called the Audy Home, be shut down. The alleged victims join hundreds of others who are part of several lawsuits that claim systemic sexual abuse happened at youth detention centers across Illinois.
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A Democratic National Convention Security Briefing will be held today in Chicago. Both Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor Pritzker will be in attendance at the United States Secret Service Chicago Field Office. The DNC takes place from August 19th through the 22nd at the United Center.
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A man is charged with animal cruelty in DeKalb County. The Illinois Department of Agriculture discovered neglected and dead animals recently at a property in rural Sandwich. The State’s Attorney pressed charges against the landowner, Mohammad Raza-Ahsan. He was booked into the DeKalb County Jail and then released with a notice to appear in court.
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WEATHER:
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 81. East wind around 5 mph.
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Thursday Night
Clear, with a low of around 55. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
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OBITUARIES:
Elizabeth “Betty” Klieber, 69, of Wenona, passed away at home on July 20th. Cremation rites have been accorded and there will not be any services. The Hurst Funeral Home in Wenona is assisting the family with arrangements.
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Michael J. Sipula III, 55 of Ottawa, died at home on July 15th after a brief illness. Funeral services for Michael J. Sipula III will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home.
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Duane Eugene Hagie, 65, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, July 20th at his home. A Memorial Service for Duane Eugene Hagie will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 26th, at Crossbridge Community Church. Memorial visitation for Duane Eugene Hagie will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Linda Kay (Larimer) Lindeman, 81, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, July 18th, at OSF St. Elizabeth in Ottawa. A Memorial Service for Linda Kay (Larimer) Lindeman will be held at 11:40 a.m. on Saturday, August 3rd, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. Visitation for Linda Kay (Larimer) Lindeman will be before the service starting at 10:10 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home Ottawa.
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SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox are on a ten-game losing streak following a 10-2 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. The Sox were within two runs before surrendering six in the bottom of the eighth. Luis Robert Jr. went deep in the losing effort, and Chris Flexen fell to 2-and-10 after allowing three runs on seven hits in four-and-two-thirds innings. The Southsiders remain in last place in the AL Central at 27-and-77. The White Sox will try to avoid being swept when Jonathan Cannon takes the mound against Texas this afternoon.
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The Chicago Cubs gave up a go-ahead run in the top of the ninth during a 3-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. The game was tied at two before William Contreras put Milwaukee on top with an RBI double off of Hector Neris. Neris was charged with his third loss in relief. Seiya Suzuki had a double and a home run in the losing effort. The Cubs have dropped four of six and are in last place in the NL Central at 49-and-55. Chicago visits Kansas City tomorrow.
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The Chicago Bulls are opening up another spot on their roster. The team waived two-way guard Andrew Funk yesterday. Funk appeared in just five games last season, finishing the year with just one steal and one block. The move allows Chicago to sign another two-way player this offseason.
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Angel Reese will be joining a new basketball league this offseason. Reese announced yesterday that she will join the three-on-three Unrivaled league. The league was founded by Lynx forward Napheesa Collier and Liberty forward Breanna Stewart. The league will start its inaugural season next January.
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Former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman is back in the NHL. He was hired yesterday as the new GM of the Edmonton Oilers. Bowman was recently reinstated into the league after he was banned in connection to a sexual assault scandal with the Hawks. He replaces Ken Holland, who left the Olier in June after five years at the helm.