A 17-year-old male is hospitalized at OSF St. Francis in Peoria after being stabbed early Sunday in La Salle. Police responded to the area of 9th and Lafayette around 1:40 a.m. and found the teen with a stab wound to his torso. Officers provided immediate medical assistance before the victim was transported to a nearby hospital in Peru and later airlifted to Peoria. No arrests have been made, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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Authorities in Morris are investigating the homicide of a local woman, Alison Findley, 62, whose body was discovered on August 30 near Twilight Drive. Findley was last seen leaving her home on August 26. Her body was found by a passerby walking their dog around 6:30 p.m. Grundy County Coroner John Callahan confirmed the cause of death as blunt force and neck trauma, ruling it a homicide. While the investigation continues, police do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. Anyone with information is urged to contact Morris Police or Crimestoppers.
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The Ottawa Water Department will begin its fall 2024 hydrant flushing schedule today, targeting Tomahawk Terrace and the Indian Village Subdivision, as well as areas along McKinley Road, extending from Catherine Street to Dakota Drive and the Southtown Mall. On Tuesday, October 1, flushing will continue along White Lane and Parks Lane west to University Avenue, from Gentleman Road south to View Street. Work on Wednesday, October 2, will affect the 900-1200 blocks of Marcy Street and portions of 4-H Road and Briarcrest Subdivision. Flushing will wrap up on Thursday and Friday along McKinley Road and in the Pembrook Subdivision.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation’s U.S. Route 6 improvement that is underway in LaSalle is moving along faster than expected. Friday crews from Advanced Asphalt began milling side approaches and will continue resurfacing from the western city limits to 3rd and Joliet streets, extending through 5th Street to the Little Vermilion Bridge. The milling is expected to wrap up by Tuesday, with asphalt paving scheduled to begin on Wednesday and Thursday. Drivers are urged to avoid the area during construction or proceed with caution. Concurrently, the City of La Salle is overseeing curb, gutter, and sidewalk work on Crosat Street, with additional roadwork planned for 8th Street and Richard Hallett Road in the coming weeks.
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The Illinois Department of Insurance is touting that it helped out a number of life insurance beneficiaries. The IDOI says its Life Policy Locator helped return more than eight point five million dollars in lost or unclaimed life insurance policies and annuities to consumers this year. The agency encourages anyone who believes they are a beneficiary of a deceased relative’s unclaimed policy to use the free locator tool on its website.
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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is undergoing a shakeup with his communications team. He named Matt Hill as his new deputy chief of staff for communications. The suburban Buffalo Grove native recently served as the senior director of communications for the Democratic National Convention. Pritzker also appointed Emily Bolton as his communications director. Two other staff members, Jordan Abudayyyeh and Jason Rubin, are leaving the administration.
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A man faces arson charges following a standoff and fire in Sterling. Police say officers responded last Wednesday to a home in the 600 block of West Fifth Street on a domestic battery call. Officers learned that Alan Marshall fled when they arrived before barricading himself inside his home, which was set on fire. Marshall was arrested after leaving the building and taken to the hospital for treatment. He is charged with residential arson and aggravated arson. An investigation is ongoing.
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A Peoria County man has been sentenced following a March arrest in Grundy County. Alexander Howard, 34, of Chillicothe, was sentenced on September 25 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor domestic battery charge. He was handed two years of conditional discharge and six days in the Grundy County Jail. In a plea deal, a more severe felony charge of aggravated domestic battery was dismissed. Howard was initially taken into custody after an incident on Route 47 in Morris, where he allegedly assaulted a female family member while holding a child. Previous domestic battery charges against Howard were dropped last year.
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A two-year-old girl is safe after she went missing near a hotel in west suburban Lombard. Police conducted a huge search early this morning outside the Extended Stay America Hotel, not far from Yorktown Shopping Center Mall. Authorities used police dogs, and divers after spending hours searching a nearby retention pond. The child was eventually found in a vacant hotel room.
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Hallan M. Brady of Ottawa has several charges from Ottawa Police after being stopped Friday in the 500 block of East Joliet Street. The 35-year-old Brady is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of drugs, and violation of pre-trial release.
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65-year-old Larry J. Thompson of Ottawa was arrested by Ottawa Police Sunday at the Surrey Motel on a LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court.
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57-year-old Paul J. Schenk of Ottawa has charges of battery and disorderly conduct after Ottawa Police investigated an incident Sunday at 900 Paul Street.
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40-year-old Francisco A. Monroy-Martinez of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police Friday at Joliet and Post Streets and cited for driving on a suspended license and illegal possession of cannabis.
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67-year-old William A. Rodriquez of Ottawa has two charges of driving under the influence, as well as citations for improper lane usage and failure to yield leaving a private drive. Rodriquez was stopped by Ottawa Police Sunday at State and Van Buren Streets.
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40-year-old Latrice S. Wright was picked up by Ottawa Police Saturday at the Sands Motel on an outstanding LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court on a charge of larceny.
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22-year-old Elijah Aquirre of Dayton is charged with a felony violation of stalking no contact order after Ottawa Police arrested him Sunday in the 300 block of Mason Street.
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30-year-old Shanon Sliker of Ottawa has a charge of retail theft after Ottawa Police arrested her at Wal-Mart Saturday.
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40-year-old Vanessa Prochaska of rural Ottawa was arrested at the Ottawa Police Station Saturday on a charge of possession of another person’s debit or credit card.
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The La Salle County Republican Central Committee will hold a meet-and-greet event today, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Liquor ‘n’ Wine, 504 W. Main St., Ottawa. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with several key candidates, including Liz Bishop, running for the 76th District state representative seat, Don Jenson for La Salle County Board chairman, Stephanie Jo Thompson for auditor, Kristy Donnelly for the 17th District La Salle County Board, and Lloyd Chapman for the 18th District La Salle County Board. The event will feature appetizers and a cash bar, offering a relaxed setting for voters to learn more about the candidates’ platforms.
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The 99th Annual Meeting of the Slooper Society of America is set to take place on Sunday, October 6TH, at the Norway Community Building in Sheridan, Illinois. Attendees can look forward to a day filled with Norwegian-American history, culture, and traditional foods. The event starts at noon with sign-in and book sales, followed by a business meeting at 12:30 p.m. At 1:00 p.m., guests will enjoy a “Taste of Norway” luncheon featuring delicacies like Kumla, ham, lutefisk, and Norwegian desserts. At 2:00 p.m., there will be a reading of The Fox Valley Settlement, set in 1840. The Norsk Museum will be open after the presentation. The meal is by donation, with proceeds benefiting the museum, and RSVP is required due to limited seating call (815) 343-5070.
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A classic Halloween comedy thriller is hitting the stage once again, as The Pop-Up Players prepare to present a 90-minute radio play adaptation of “The Cat and the Canary.” Known for their community-focused performances, the nonprofit traveling theater group from the Illinois Valley will bring this spooky tale to life, complete with retro commercials and live sound effects. The production is set for three free performances: Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at Speakeasy on 1st in La Salle; Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Ottawa; and Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at The 122 Club in Streator.
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WEATHER:
Monday
Patchy fog before 9 am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
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OBITUARIES:
Janet L. Simon, 93, of Ottawa, passed away September 24th, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. The visitation will take place Tuesday, October 1st, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Ottawa Funeral Home. At 11:00 am the prayer service will be officiated by Pastor Jennifer Amy-Dressler.
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Chad Allen Elliott Abram, 34, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, September 24th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 5th, from 12:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at 2:00 pm at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls Basketball
Shepherd 7th Grade Lady Rams lost to Princeton 27-15.
7th grade is now 1-2
8th Grade Lady Rams defeated Princeton 26-11.
8th grade is now 3-0
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FOOTBALL
Marquette 43, St. Bede 7: at St. Bede
Sycamore 63, Ottawa 0: at Sycamore
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Girls volleyball
Marquette places runner-up in Harvard: The Crusaders finished 4-1 at the Harvard Invite on Saturday
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Boys golf
Ottawa wins the Mendota Ryder Cup for the fourth straight year: At Mendota Golf Club.
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BOYS SOCCER
Ottawa 2, Morris 1: At the King Field
Mendota 3, Monmouth-Roseville 2: in Monmouth.
Indian Creek 8, Sandwich 0: At Waterman
Serena 2, Sandwich 1: At Serena
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You can find high school sports scores in our area on the WCMY Scorestream at 1430 wcmy.com/high-school-sports/
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PRO SPORTS:
The worst team in modern MLB history ended its season with a win on Sunday. The Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 9-5 at Comerica Park. The Southsiders broke the game open with four runs in the top of the seventh. Lenyn Sosa homered and drove in three runs during the victory, while Korey Lee and Bryan Ramos both finished the game with two RBI. Jonathan Cannon earned his fifth win after allowing four runs on four hits in five innings. The White Sox finished the season with a 41-and-121 record.
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Veteran White Sox television analyst Steve Stone will be with the team for several more years. The 77-year-old broadcaster signed a multiyear deal yesterday with the Sox. The deal calls for him to work fewer games. Stone, a former Cy Young Award winner as a pitcher, is in his 42nd year as a broadcaster. He will continue to work on the Chicago Sports Network. The network is the new TV home for the Blackhawks, Bulls, and White Sox starting October 1st.
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The Chicago Cubs had just three hits during a 3-0, ten-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Ethan Roberts surrendered all three runs in the top of the tenth and was charged with his first loss in relief. The Cubs finished 2024 in second place in the NL Central at 83-and-79.
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The Bears bounced back with a 24-18 win over the Rams at Soldier Field. Caleb Williams completed 17 of his 23 pass attempts for 157 yards. D’Andre Swift led the team in rushing with 93 yards on 16 carries. He and Roschon Johnson both found the endzone on the ground once. Swift also led the team with seven catches for 72 yards. DJ Moore caught three passes for 22 yards and a score. Chicago is now 2-and-2. The Bears host the Panthers this Sunday.
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The Chicago Blackhawks gave up a two-goal lead during a 3-2 overtime preseason loss to the St. Louis Blues at Enterprise Center on Saturday. Philipp Kurashev and Patrick Maroon both scored in the first period to give the Hawks an early lead, but they surrendered two goals in the third period and allowed the game-winner in the extra period. Chicago is 0-2-and-1 in exhibition play. The Hawks visit the Wild tomorrow night.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
Number-13 Notre Dame is on a three-game winning streak following a 31-24 win over number-22 Louisville at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday. The Fighting Irish went up 21-7 after one quarter and kept the Cardinals at arm’s length the rest of the way. Riley Leonard passed for 163 yards and two touchdowns, and he added 52 yards and a score on the ground. Xavier Watts had an interception in the victory. The Irish improved to 4-and-1. Their next game is against Stanford on October 12th.
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The number-25 Illinois Fighting Illini faded down the stretch of a 21-7 loss to number-seven Penn State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. The Illini got on the board first when Luke Altmyer hit Carson Goda for a four-yard touchdown. However, Penn State responded on the next drive and then outscored Illinois 14-0 in the second half. Altmyer finished with 185 passing yards and an interception to go along with his early touchdown. The Illini fell to 4-and-1 overall and 1-and-1 in the Big Ten. They host Purdue on October 12th.
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In other college football action over the weekend, Northern Illinois lost to NC State 24-17, and Illinois State was crushed by North Dakota State 42-10.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
Waubonsee 1, IVCC 0: The Eagles lost a nonconference game in Sugar Grove.
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MEN’S SOCCER
Waubonsee 5, IVCC 0: The Eagles were shut out in a nonconference game in Sugar Grove.
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WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Fri – IVCC 3, Joliet 1: The Eagles won in a nonconference match in Oglesby.
Sat – Morton 3, IVCC 1: The Eagles lost in a nonconference match in Cicero.
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MEN’S GOLF
At Sherrard: Fall Frye Lake Invite on Friday at Frye Lake Golf Club.
The Eagles placed fifth among the 15 teams.
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MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
At Normal: The IVCC women placed fifth Thursday at the Heartland Invitational. In the men’s race, the Eagles placed eighth.