Citizens for Healthcare in Ottawa announced on Facebook that OSF HealthCare has requested a six-month deferral from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board for a vote on the Ottawa hospital project. This is to allow for further discussions with city officials. OSF HealthCare’s Senior Vice President of Healthcare Analytics, Mark Hohulin, sent a letter to the Illinois Health Facilities and Service Review Board requesting the delay. The healthcare provider is seeking approval from the board to decommission the current hospital and build a new facility with reduced services. Due to opposition from Ottawa’s City Council, neighboring cities, and local organizations over concerns about reduced medical/surgical and ICU beds, OSF HealthCare needs more time to negotiate with city officials. They have asked for a six-month deferral from the board’s September 19th meeting. This comes at a time when OSF HealthCare had previously proposed adding beds and a second procedure room, requiring an additional $14 million investment. Citizens for Healthcare in Ottawa, IL, have welcomed the deferral, hoping it will lead to better plans for inpatient care and EMS services. Ottawa Mayor Robb Hasty will be featured on the morning show in the 9 am hour to discuss the latest with the OSF negotiations and other happenings in the Ottawa area.
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The victim of the crash during the Saturday morning police chase on Route 71 in Sheridan has been identified as 40-year-old John Calder of Yorkville. According to the La Salle County Coroner’s Office, Calder died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound before crashing his vehicle on Illinois 71 near Sheridan. The crash occurred during a pursuit by the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office after Calder attempted to flee a traffic stop. His Chevrolet pickup struck a guardrail and several trees before coming to a stop. Calder was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Illinois State Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
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21-year-old Ethan R. Ragan of Ottawa has charges from Ottawa Police including operating a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol after an accident Sunday morning just after 3:00. Ragan was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed southbound on LaSalle Street and lost control on the approach to Veterans Bridge and struck a concrete barrier. Ragan was taken to OSF St. Elizabeth – Ottawa with injuries.
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OSHA is investigating a deadly workplace accident in Livingston County. Authorities say the accident happened Monday night at Johnson Press of America in Pontiac. Nightshift employee Timothy Legner died as a result of the incident. An autopsy will be performed today.
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Over 170 real estate properties and two dozen mobile homes in La Salle County are up for auction via sealed bids. The minimum bids are set at $827 for real estate and $915 for mobile homes. These properties, often abandoned, are being sold with the hope that new owners will maintain them and pay the outstanding property taxes. Bids must be submitted to the La Salle County Treasurer’s Office in Ottawa by September 20th. For more details, visit iltaxsale.com.
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Illinois has awarded $35 million in grants, funded by revenue from adult-use cannabis sales, to 88 local programs through the Restore, Reinvest, Renew Program, known as R3, which focuses on communities impacted by economic disinvestment and the war on drugs. Among the recipients is Maitri Path to Wellness, a Peru-based therapy practice that received $169,245 to support its mental health and addiction services. The R3 program, a key element of the state’s cannabis legalization framework, aims to empower smaller, equity-centric organizations, with priority given to those in low-income and disproportionately affected areas.
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Providers enrolled in the Illinois Medicaid program will need to revalidate their enrollment status to continue providing services to Medicaid customers and bill Medicaid. This federal requirement was temporarily discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has resumed that practice. Providers will receive revalidation notifications 90 days before their due date.
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The University of Illinois is entering into a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights following complaints on Antisemitic discrimination. The agreement ensures the university complies with federal civil rights obligations not to discriminate based on national origin. An investigation was launched after a March 2020 complaint detailing allegations of numerous incidents of antisemitism. They included the appearance of swastikas throughout campus and a brick being thrown through the window of a Jewish fraternity.
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Authorities have charged 43-year-old Roger A. Schultheis of Peru with battery, resisting, and obstructing a peace officer. The arrest occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Sunday at 416 Walnut Street. Schultheis was taken into custody after allegedly committing acts of battery and obstructing law enforcement officers during the incident. The listed charges against Schultheis include battery, resisting arrest, and obstructing or disarming an officer. The investigation is ongoing.
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32-year-old Ricardo Cruz of Peru was taken into custody Sunday night at 5th Street and Prospect Avenue after authorities investigated a report of an individual unlawfully entering a vehicle. Cruz was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle. He was released with a notice to appear in court.
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Lee County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit is being praised for a successful drug and weapons bust. Deputies stopped a vehicle on U.S. 52 near Amboy, where K-9 Henry detected drugs. The search led to the discovery of cocaine, guns, and ammunition. 35-year-old Jerry Juzwiak, Jr. of Westmont, was arrested and charged with armed violence, dealing cocaine, and multiple counts of possession of firearms and ammunition without a FOID card. He is now in custody at the Lee County Jail.
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LaSalle County deputies were called to the scene of a two-vehicle accident on Illinois 251 near North 31st Road in Dimmick Township Tuesday. 29-year-old Amber Taliani of LaSalle was southbound on 251 when her vehicle struck the rear of a car driven by 34-year-old Coleman Mauch of Mendota who had slowed down in front of her. Taliani was
cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. There were no injuries.
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LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies have released some citations from over the Labor Day weekend, conducting several traffic stops across different townships and issuing citations for various violations. Sunday morning, shortly before Noon, 66-year-old Michael Venegas of Spring Valley was stopped near Illinois 23 and North 41st Road for speeding 77 miles an hour in a 55 zone. Just after midnight early on Monday, deputies stopped a vehicle near Illinois 23 and North 2350th Road in Farm Ridge Township. 34-year-old Corey Delahaba of East Peoria was cited for operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Later Monday morning, at about 6:45, deputies conducted another traffic stop near U.S. 52 and East 2603rd Road in Mission Township. 36-year-old Matthew Kassinger of Somonauk was cited for driving without valid registration. Just after 1:00 a.m. Tuesday, deputies stopped a vehicle near Illinois 71 and North 35th Road in Mission Township. 45-year-old Martin Daley of Plano was cited for speeding, clocked at 76 mph in a 55 mph zone.
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The Norsk Museum is sponsoring the photo exhibit “A Dying Norway – In A Living America?” by Lars Idar Waage at the Norway Community Building from September 13-15. The exhibit will be open on Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons. There will be a special program by Waage on Sunday during the Cleng Peerson Sons of Norway lodge meeting, offering coffee and Norwegian treats. The exhibit will tour the U.S. after its debut in Norway, Illinois, which is the oldest permanent Norwegian settlement in America. For more information, visit www.NorskMuseum.org.
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WEATHER:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 83. East-northeast winds around 5 mph becoming south-southeast in the afternoon.
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Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
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OBITUARIES:
Roger Gary Stortz, 78, of Elmwood, IL, (Born in Ottawa) passed away Friday, August 30th, at Carle Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Visitation will be on Thursday, September 5th, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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HS SPORTS:
VOLLEYBALL
Streator 2, Herscher 0: At Herscher
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Newark 2, Hinckley-Big Rock 0: At Hinckley
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Sandwich 2, Somonauk 0: At Sandwich
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La Salle-Peru 2, Bloomington 0: in LaSalle
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St. Bede 2, Earlville 0: in Earlville.
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Girls tennis
Coal City 3, Streator 2: At Coal City
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BOYS SOCCER
Mendota 9, Riverdale 0: in Mendota.
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BOYS GOLF
Ottawa wins IVC Invite for four straight seasons: At Arrowhead Country Club.
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Mendota 167, Erie-Prophetstown 170: at Mendota Golf Club in Mendota.
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GIRLS GOLF
La Salle-Peru 202, Sycamore 216: at Sycamore Golf Club in Sycamore.
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Dwight 212, St. Bede 239: at Dwight Country Club in Dwight.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox are on a 12-game losing streak following a 9-0 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The White Sox gave up seven runs in the first two innings and trailed the rest of the way. Nick Nastrini was charged with his seventh loss after surrendering four earned runs and three unearned runs on four hits in one-and-two-thirds innings. The Southsiders are in last place in the AL Central at 31-and-109. They send Jonathan Cannon to the mound against Baltimore tonight.
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The Chicago Cubs had just five hits during a 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. The Cubs allowed two runs in the third and three runs in the seventh during the losing effort. Kyle Hendricks fell to 3-and-11 after surrendering two runs on five hits in five innings. The Cubs remain four-and-a-half games back of Atlanta for the final NL Wild Card spot at 71-and-68. Shota Imanaga starts for the Northsiders against Pittsburgh tonight.
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The Chicago Sky got off to a slow start during their 90-71 loss to the Las Vegas Aces at T-Mobile Arena. The Sky were down 47-31 at halftime and trailed by as many as 21 points. Michaela Onyenwere led the team with 15 points, while Angel Reese had another double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds. Chicago is tied for eighth place in the WNBA at 11-and-22. The Sky hosts the Sparks on Friday.
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The Chicago Bears are spending the week getting ready for their season opener on Sunday. Chicago will host the Tennessee Titans in Week One. First-overall pick Caleb Williams will showcase his talent for the Bears as they look to bounce back from a 7-and-10 season. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
Despite earning a win over a previously ranked team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are sticking at number seven in yesterday’s coaches poll. Notre Dame earned a Week One win over Texas A&M, who was ranked number 20 at the time. The Irish host Northern Illinois this Saturday.
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The IVCC Lady Eagles volleyball team, with a current record of 0-6, is seeking their first win of the season as they face Sauk Valley Community College tonight at 6 pm.
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IVCC men’s soccer team has a home match against Scott Community College at 4 pm.