Ottawa Elementary School District 141 has hired Hazard Young Attea Associates to assist in the search for a new superintendent following the upcoming retirement of current Superintendent Michelle Lee at the end of the school year. The board made the decision during Tuesday’s meeting after hearing from two executive search firms. The search process will begin immediately with the aim of having a new superintendent in place before the next school year. The board emphasized the importance of a collaborative process, involving stakeholders to ensure the district finds a leader aligned with the community’s needs.
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The Streator City Council is advancing discussions and plans to vote next month on a proposed ordinance that would limit street parking for nonresidents in the 100 to 200 block of Morrell Street, near Streator High School. The issue, introduced by Council Member David Connor, sparked debate during Wednesday’s meeting, with school staff expressing concerns that restricting parking to residents could increase congestion in other nearby areas. Despite calls for collaboration from school representatives, Connor believes the ordinance is necessary to assist residents affected by the influx of vehicles during school days and events. The council will vote on the measure on October 2.
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The former Sears building in Peru is no longer up for auction, with the highest bid reaching $1.2 million on Wednesday. The property, which previously failed to sell after a May auction, had been vacant since it closed in 2017. While the identity of the bidder remains unknown.
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The Reddick Mansion will provide homecoming photo opportunities for Ottawa High School on Saturday, Oct. 5, and for Marquette High School on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Although there is no fee, donations are appreciated. Due to the Ghosts of Ottawa Past event, interior photos won’t be available this year. Located at 100 W. Lafayette St. in Ottawa, the mansion is open for tours at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Friday through Monday and also offers rental space for special events. For more information, call 815-433-6100.
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The Kane County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public about a phone scam. The scam involves callers contacting residents and telling them that they have missed jury duty while using Kane County deputy names and telephone numbers. The scammers inform citizens that they will be arrested unless they comply with specific instructions and pay money. The Kane County Sheriff’s Office will never contact citizens via telephone and threaten them with arrest for missing jury duty.
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The new Sangamon County Sheriff is making history. Sangamon County Board voted last night to appoint Paula Crouch as the newest Sheriff. She is the first female to serve in the role. Crouch is replacing former Sheriff Jack Campbell, who retired following the deadly shooting of Sonya Massey by a deputy in July.
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A Wisconsin man faces child abduction charges after police found a Canton, Illinois teen in Arizona. Authorities say 16-year-old Railyn Churchill was last seen in Canton on September 6th. Officers in Phoenix, Arizona located her on Tuesday and arrested Jack Daniels of Wisconsin. The incident remains under investigation.
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A La Salle County judge has denied a pretrial release for Tony Wright, a 20-year-old charged with felony robbery. Judge H. Chris Ryan made the ruling on Wednesday, keeping Wright in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court again for arraignment on September 27th. Wright was arrested Monday morning in Spring Valley following an investigation into a robbery at the Sandman Motel on Route 251 in north Peru. Authorities allege that Wright assaulted and robbed a man during the incident, leaving the victim injured. The man received treatment at a local hospital. This is Wright’s first criminal offense in La Salle County.
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On Wednesday, September 18th, at approximately 2250 hours the Mendota Police Department conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave and Jefferson St. As a result of that stop the driver, Jereme L Elam, 35, of Mendota, was arrested for Driving While License Suspended. Elam was transported to the Mendota Police Department where he was processed and later released with a mandatory October 8, 2024 LaSalle County court date.
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On Thursday, September 19th, at approximately 0054 hours the Mendota Police Department responded to the 500 block of 12th St for a report of a disturbance. After a brief investigation, Meri K Baucom, 55, of Mendota, was arrested for Criminal Trespass to Residence. Baucom was transported to the Mendota Police Department where she was processed and later released with a mandatory October 9, 2024 LaSalle County court date.
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WEATHER:
Today
Patchy fog before 8 am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Tonight
A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 am. Increasing clouds, with a low of around 67. South wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
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
Seneca 2, Gardner-S. Wilmington 0: At Seneca
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Boys golf
Ottawa 149, Morris 174: At Deer Park
Seneca 164, Sandwich 176, Plano 208: At Morris Country Club
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Girls golf
Kaneland 182, La Salle-Peru 186:
Seneca 207, St. Bede 232:
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Boys soccer
Ottawa 2, LPHS 1:
Somonauk 8, Earlville 1:
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Girls Tennis
Streator def. St. Bede: At Peru
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago White Sox fell apart in extras during a 4-3, 13-inning loss against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. The White Sox scored in the tenth and 11th innings, but the Angels answered back with a run of their own in each ensuing half-inning to extend the game. Jairo Iriarte was charged with his first loss in relief after allowing a walk-off single in the 13th. Andrew Vaughn hit his 19th home run in the losing effort. The Southsiders remain in last place in the AL Central at 36-and-117. The White Sox will visit San Diego tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Cubs dropped their series against the Oakland A’s with a 5-3 loss in the finale from Wrigley Field. The Cubs led by two entering the seventh, but Oakland tied the game in the inning before scoring two more runs to take the lead in the eighth. Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki, and Cody Bellinger all drove in a run during the losing effort, while Nate Pearson was charged with his second loss in relief. The 77-and-75 Cubs send Javier Assad to the mound against the Nationals tonight.
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The Chicago Bears are dealing with some injuries. Wide receiver Keenan Allen and offensive lineman Teven Jenkins were among four players to miss practice due to injuries yesterday. Six other players were limited participants in practice, including starting edge rusher Montez Sweat and wide receiver Rome Odunze. The 1-and-1 Bears are at Indianapolis this Sunday.
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The Chicago Sky wrap up the regular season with a must-win game against the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena tonight. The Sky need a win to have a chance at making the postseason after losing to the Atlanta Dream 86-70 on Tuesday. Chicago is tied for ninth place in the WNBA at 13-and-26. Tonight’s game tips off at 6:00 PM.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
WOMEN’S SOCCER
IVCC 1, Kishwaukee 1: the Eagles played to a draw with the Kougars in an Arrowhead Conference game Wednesday in LaSalle.