This first Tuesday in August is designated as National Night Out, an effort to enhance the relationship between youngsters and law enforcement and first responders. Ottawa Central Dispatch is hosting a free event from 5 until 7 this evening at Riordan Pool with free swimming, food, games, and other activities. The Marseilles Police Department will host their National Night Out evening from 5 until 8 at the Marseilles Pool on Commercial Street with free swimming including a 20-foot water slide, free food featuring hot dogs, pizza, chips, and ice cream along with other free activities.
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A 78-year-old man drowned in the Illinois River near Route 71 after slipping and falling into the water. Paul A. Forino was recovered near the river’s edge by the Ottawa River Rescue Squad, and despite efforts by a Grand Ridge Fire Department paramedic to save him, he did not survive. A forensic investigative autopsy was conducted on Sunday, and preliminary results are pending. The La Salle County Coroner’s Office and La Salle County Sheriff’s Office are looking into the incident.
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A woman died in a crash near Tonica at around noon on Monday. The crash involved two vehicles and happened at Route 251 and North 17th Road, between Tonica and Lostant. One of the vehicles rolled during the crash. The State Police Accident Reconstructionist and Life Flight were called to the scene. The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office will write the report. The woman who died has not been identified.
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The motorist who died in a crash last Thursday at the intersection of Route 18 and East 15th Road in rural Streator has been identified by the La Salle County Coroner’s Office. 21-year-old Riley Kolesar of Streator was driving a pickup truck southbound on East 15th Road in Eagle Township when he failed to stop at the stop sign and struck a westbound vehicle, as stated by the coroner. Kolesar died due to injuries sustained in the crash. The incident is currently under investigation by the La Salle County Coroner’s Office, Illinois State Police, and Illinois State Police Reconstruction Unit.
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52-year-old Jeffrey Conley of Gardner has been charged in Grundy County with First Degree Murder. The police originally responded to a call Sunday afternoon about a possible drug overdose but discovered a woman named Aleshea Raszkowski had been killed with a knife. It happened at the same house where Conley and the victim lived. During police questioning, Conley admitted to stabbing 55-year-old Raszkowski. Another man and his 7-year-old daughter were also at the scene and were questioned by the police. The daughter was later released to her family. According to the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office, Conley has a history of criminal offenses, including aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, theft, and domestic battery. This case is still being investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies.
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OSF HealthCare recently met with Ottawa city leaders to discuss the latest developments in rural health care, both locally and nationally. They emphasized their commitment to providing comprehensive care to residents of LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam counties, and two townships in Stark County, despite what they described as a narrative grounded in opinion rather than facts. The organization also updated the community on their proposal to replace the current hospital in Ottawa with a new facility, which has been deferred to a later date for further discussion with city officials. Additionally, they shared an enhanced plan that includes expanding medical/surgical beds and making a significant investment in the community, requesting the support of Mayor Hasty and the Ottawa City Council to move the revised plan forward. you can read the full press release on the 1430 wcmy website. WCMY will have the Citizen for Healthcare organization on the morning show on Wednesday to discuss the current proposal from OSF Healthcare.
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Throughout the month of July, the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office spearheaded a traffic safety campaign to emphasize the importance of reducing speed to prevent road fatalities. The enforcement effort resulted in the issuance of 135 speeding citations and various other infractions, including seat belt violations, expired registrations, and uninsured motorists. This initiative, made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, exemplifies the collaborative commitment of law enforcement agencies to prioritize public safety and reduce the risk of roadway accidents and fatalities.
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Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ initiative to allow unused college savings funds to be transferred into retirement accounts has been signed into law, offering parents more flexibility in managing their children’s education funds. Thanks to a recent change in federal law, parents with Illinois 529 College Savings Accounts can now roll over remaining funds into a Roth IRA without facing taxes or penalties. This measure, effective from January 1, 2024, is aimed at providing families with additional options for managing their savings. The bipartisan effort, commended by Treasurer Frerichs, received approval from Governor JB Pritzker and lawmakers.
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Governor Pritzker appears to be out of the running to be Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate on the Democratic ticket. Harris is expected to announce her choice today. Reports say the two finalists are Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Pritzker was among three other Democrats believed to have been under consideration, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
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Western Illinois University staff is facing potential layoffs. The WIU board of trustees will vote today on whether to approve the proposed layoffs. The possible cuts come as the university needs to reduce spending by 20 million dollars in order to help balance its budget. Students and staff rallied yesterday in an effort to save their jobs.
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Illinois is getting rid of the state grocery tax as of January 1st, 2026. Governor Pritzker signed a measure into law that eliminates the state tax on grocery items. The one-percent state tax will be repealed across all of Illinois, although local governments have the option of imposing the tax on a local basis by ordinance. The grocery sales tax proceeds have always gone directly to the local government.
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37-year-old Michael S. Magana of Streator was charged by Streator Police Monday afternoon in the 900 block of East Main Street with driving on a revoked license. He was released with a court date.
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A Peru man faces charges of domestic battery, resisting arrest, and attempting to disarm a police officer after an incident Sunday evening at 1017 Pike Street in Peru. 20-year-old Jorge L. Ramirez Camino was taken by Peru Police to the LaSalle County Jail.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a slight chance of showers between noon and 1 pm, then a chance of rain after 1 pm. Patchy fog before 7 am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a temperature rising to nearly 81 by 9 am, then falling to around 68 during the remainder of the day. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north-northeast in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
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Tuesday Night
Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low of around 58. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
James T. Simcich 89, of Ottawa, passed away peacefully Friday, August 2nd, surrounded by his loving family. Per James’s wishes a private funeral service will be held at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home Ottawa.
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Robert “Bob” Edward Smith, 91 of Peru. Passed away peacefully on July 31st, in his home. Visitation will be 10 AM-12 PM on Friday, August 9th, in the Ptak Funeral Home with service to follow. The burial will be at 3 PM Friday, August 9th, at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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Linda Kay (Thompson) Grey, 69, of Earlville, passed away on Tuesday, July 30th, at her home surrounded by her family, after an 11-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 7th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6th, at the funeral home. Linda requests that attendees wear animal prints to the services.
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Evelyn Jakubek Zabawa, formerly of Ottawa, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 23rd. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at Ottawa Cemetery.
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SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox have the longest losing streak in the history of the junior league. The White Sox suffered their 21st straight defeat after a 5-1 loss to the Oakland A’s at Oakland Coliseum. The game was tied in the fourth inning before the Southsiders surrendered a pair of runs. Ky Bush was charged with his first loss in his MLB debut, allowing three runs on two hits in four innings. The Sox matched the 1988 Orioles for the longest losing streak in American League history. Chicago sends Jonathan Cannon to the mound against the A’s tonight.
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The Chicago Cubs managed just four hits during a 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Wrigley Field. The Cubs went 0-for-four with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base. Kyle Hendricks was charged with his tenth loss after allowing two runs on five hits in six innings. The Cubs remain in last place in the NL Central at 55-and-60. Shota Imanaga starts for the Northsiders against Minnesota tonight.
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Bears All-Pro defensive back Jaylon Johnson is up in arms about not making the NFL Network’s top 100. He is calling the omission disrespectful. Johnson added that Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers only played four snaps last season and he made that list at number 92. The top 100 is voted on by players. Bears defensive end Montez Sweat was ranked 82nd and wide receiver Keenan Allen was number 51.
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The Chicago Blackhawks are locking down their 2024 draft class. The team signed forward Marek Vanacker to a three-year entry-level contract yesterday. Vanacker was selected by the Hawks with the 27th overall pick during the NHL Draft in June. He scored 36 goals in 68 games in the OHL last season.