The Ottawa Water Department will be flushing hydrants today north of the Fox River from Paul Street to Champlain Street. Tomorrow, hydrants from the Illinois River north to the I & M Canal from Chestnut Street east to Clinton Street. Thursday, hydrants on Madison Street from Boyce Memorial Drive east to Sycamore Street and north to the I-M Canal will be flushed. On Friday, September 20th, hydrants will be flushed on West Main Street from Fillmore Street west to Boyce Memorial Drive and south to Ottawa Avenue. The flushing can stir up sediment and cause slightly discolored water for a short period of time. Washing of clothes isn’t recommended in neighborhoods having the hydrants flushed. And, water will clear after allowing the tap to run for a minute or two.
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The LaSalle County Medical Reserve Corps is seeking volunteers for National Emergency Preparedness Month this September. The MRC is a national network of volunteers that supports local emergency response efforts and strengthens community resilience. No medical or public health background is required—volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, with roles tailored to individual interests and community needs. Volunteers contribute to programs like Naloxone training and vaccination clinics and help prepare for disasters and public health emergencies.
To learn more or get involved, contact the LaSalle County Health Department.
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9-1-1 service is now available in all 102 counties in Illinois. Authorities made the announcement after Stark County entered into an agreement with Peoria County to create a Joint Emergency Telephone System Board so that Stark County residents and those traveling through the area can receive emergency services. Before this partnership, Stark County residents had to call a specific ten-digit number for emergency services.
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, the City of La Salle, and the National Fitness Campaign have teamed up to launch an outdoor Fitness Court at Rotary Park in LaSalle. The grand opening, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony, is set for tomorrow afternoon at 3:30. The Fitness Court offers free access to high-quality, body-weight workout stations designed for people aged 14 and up, regardless of fitness level. Users can also enhance their workout experience through a free Fitness Court App. For more information, visit nationalfitnesscampaign.com/illinois.
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The 2024 Illinois State Fair is making history. Governor JB Pritzker announced this year’s fair broke attendance records when more than 773-thousand people attended the eleven-day event last month. The 2024 state fair attendance surpassed 2023 by nearly 66 thousand.
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A trial challenging Illinois’ assault weapons ban is underway downstate. A federal judge in East St. Louis is considering whether the ban is constitutional. An attorney representing gun dealers and owners argued yesterday that the law violates the right of many law-abiding citizens in the state to shoot recreationally, hunt, and defend themselves. Governor Pritzker signed the law in response to the deadly Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park in 2022. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case in July.
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Two girls are charged with disorderly conduct for making threats against Joliet schools. Joliet Police say they were made aware Sunday night of a threat that was circulating on social media in which several Joliet area schools were identified. Detectives learned that a 14-year-old was involved in creating the bogus threat on social media. The Joliet West High School student was then arrested. Additionally, a 12-year-old female was also taken into custody after investigators determined she was responsible for a social media threat involving Dirksen Junior High. Detectives found no evidence of a credible threat.
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Two teens were charged with stealing a vehicle last week at gunpoint in Peoria. Police say a 14-year-old and 15-year-old were wearing masks when they approached the victim Friday night as he arrived home. The teens pointed the guns at his head and took his car. Officers later spotted the stolen vehicle and tried to pull it over, but the teens fled. The vehicle crashed and the teens were arrested after a brief foot chase.
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In LaSalle County Court Monday, twenty-two-year-old Jesus Rosas-Nava from Oglesby was formally charged with two felony counts of reckless discharge of a firearm. The charges stem from an incident that occurred early Monday morning. Police were dispatched to the 300 block of East Walnut Street around 12:45 AM following reports of a
disturbance. Upon arrival, officers observed a group of individuals outside, but no ambulance was requested for the scene. The investigation continues as authorities address the serious nature of the charges against Rosas-Nava.
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Sunday afternoon around 1:30, Streator police were alerted to a U-Haul reported stolen out of Joliet. Officers located the vehicle near the intersection of Lundy and Shabbona streets. The driver, identified as 45-year-old Bruno Rendina of Joliet, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was later released with a court date. Two passengers, both from Streator, were also taken into custody. 28-year-old Alicia Reeland was booked into the La Salle County Jail on charges of drug dealing and violating the terms of her pretrial release. 32-year-old Samantha Johnson was arrested for failing to appear in court in a separate case in La Salle County.
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Illinois Valley Community College’s costume and vintage clothing sale has been extended for one more day, now set for Saturday, September 21st, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Weeg Cultural Centre. Shoppers can browse formal wear, vintage clothing, costumes, wigs, and hats, with cash-only purchases. The sale is perfect for historic tour guides, reenactors, Halloween enthusiasts, and more. Proceeds benefit the Students of Performing Arts and Music Organization. Check the IVCC Fine Arts Facebook page for updates on what is still available.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 87. Light east wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Clear, with a low of around 55. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
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OBITUARIES:
Donald Ondrey, 69, of Ottawa, IL, passed away on September 13th, at his home in Ottawa with his wife by his side. The visitation will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 18th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday 9:00 AM-10:00 AM. The funeral ceremony will be at Ottawa Funeral Home beginning at 10:00 AM. The interment will be at the Saint Stephen Cemetery.
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Vah-va-roo-sas
Nicholas ‘Nick’ Vavaroutsos, age 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 2nd, at his home in Sparta, Greece. Visitation will be on Saturday, September 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Ottawa Funeral Home. Funeral Service will follow the visitation on Saturday. Internment will follow at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
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HS SPORTS:
Football
Ottawa vs. Kaneland – 7 pm on WCMY
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Girls volleyball
Marquette 2, Indian Creek 0: At Shabbona
Woodland 2, Ridgeview 0: At Ridgeview
Seneca 2, Morris 0: At Morris
Newark 2, Aurora Central Catholic 0: At Aurora
Woodstock 2, Sandwich 1: At Sandwich
La Salle-Peru 2, Yorkville 1: In Yorkville
Earlville 2, Lowpoint-Washburn 0: In Washburn
St. Bede 2, Kewanee 0: In Peru
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Boys golf
St. Bede 173, Midland 173, Marquette 206: At Spring Creek Golf Course in Spring Valley, the Crusaders fell to both the Bruins and Timberwolves.
Marmion Academy, finished runner-up, host Ottawa placed third and Hall finished 8th at Monday’s Pirate Invitational at Deer Park Golf Course.
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Girls golf
Ottawa 215, Sycamore 223: At Sycamore Country Club, the Pirates – defeated the host Spartans.
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Boys soccer
Sycamore 5, La Salle-Peru 0: The Cavaliers were shut out in an Interstate 8 Conference match in Sycamore.
Streator 5, East Peoria 0: At East Peoria
Hinckley-Big Rock 3, Serena 2: At Serena
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Girls tennis
Ottawa 3, Streator 2: At the Henderson-Guenther Tennis Facility, the Pirates slipped past the Bulldogs.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox got out to a fast start during an 8-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. The Southsiders scored three runs in both the first and second innings. Andrew Benintendi hit two home runs and drove in four, while Andrew Vaughn and Lenyn Sosa also went yard. Jonathan Cannon earned his fourth win after allowing four runs on three hits in six-and-two-thirds innings. The Sox remain in last place in the AL Central at 36-and-115. The Sox take on the Angels again tonight with an 8 pm pre-game and 8:38 first pitch.
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The Cubs have won back-to-back games after taking down the Athletics 9-2 in their series opener at Wrigley Field. Chicago is still five games out of the final NL Wild Card spot at 77-and-73. Jordan Wicks starts for the Northsiders against Oakland tonight.
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The Chicago Bears will spend the week gearing up for their Week Three contest against the Indianapolis Colts. The Bears travel to Indianapolis for the game on Sunday. Chicago is coming off a 19-13 loss to the Houston Texans in Week Two. The 1-and-1 Bears will try to get back over .500 against a winless Colts team. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon.
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The Chicago Sky continue their playoff chase with a game against the Atlanta Dream at The Gateway Center tonight. The Sky are coming off a 93-88 loss to the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday. Chicago is in a three-way tie for the final playoff spot with Washington and Atlanta at 13-and-25. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:30 PM.
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There is finally a buyer for Michael Jordan’s massive north suburban mansion after more than a decade on the market. Reports say the Chicago Bulls legend has inked a deal to sell the home in Highland Park. The property has been up for sale since 2012 and the current asking price is around 14-point-nine-million-dollars. Jordan originally listed the property for sale at 29 million dollars.
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COLLEGE SPORTS: