A local Ottawa resident was hospitalized Sunday afternoon after rescuing a dog from a house fire on the south side. The individual was treated for smoke inhalation following the blaze that engulfed a two-story home at 118 East Van Buren Street. Ottawa firefighters, with assistance from departments in Grand Ridge, Marseilles, Peru, and Wallace, responded to the scene. One firefighter sustained minor injuries and was treated on-site, according to Ottawa Fire Chief Brian Bressner. No further injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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Two kayakers missing for nearly a day were rescued and treated by first responders Saturday night on the Fox River near Wedron. The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System water rescue team was dispatched to Ayers Landing after the pair had not been heard from since the morning. The kayakers were located and assessed by Sheridan EMS, with several fire departments contributing to the search and rescue operation. Ottawa River Rescue and Peru River Rescue also joined in the effort, and drones from Utica, Peru, and Oglesby fire departments were utilized in the search.
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Streator police are investigating multiple gunfire incidents reported across the city early Saturday morning. One incident involved a 42-year-old man who was shot while riding his bicycle near the 1300 block of North Wasson Street around 1:00 a.m. The victim reported being approached by a man in a blue car demanding money, and after refusing, he was shot and robbed of $ 250 dollars. In another incident, a residence and vehicle on the 400 block of South Everett Street were riddled with bullets around 1:33 a.m. No injuries were reported in that incident. Police are urging residents with surveillance cameras in specific neighborhoods to review footage for any suspicious activity and to contact the Streator Police Department with potential leads.
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An investigation is underway following a shooting near a youth football varsity game in Normal. A post on the Twin City Tigers Facebook page says the shooting happened Saturday night near a game in one Normal Plaza. No one was hurt and no arrests have been made.
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Governor Pritzker is leading a trade mission in Japan. The governor is joined by leaders in business, education, and government from around the state for the trip. The delegation is meeting with their counterparts in Tokyo to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between the State of Illinois and Japan. Programming throughout the mission will focus on clean energy, manufacturing, life sciences, quantum, and other key growth industries for the state.
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Heritage Harbor will host over 60 international runners on Saturday, October 12th for a special 5K parkrun event. The race will start at 9:00 a.m. along a scenic course by the Illinois River. Park-run is a global initiative offering free, weekly timed 5K runs in communities worldwide. The Heritage Harbor parkrun is open to runners of all skill levels, emphasizing fitness, camaraderie, and the joy of running. The event is free and open to the public, inviting runners, joggers, or spectators to join and support the international athletes. For registration, visit the park-run website.
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The trial for a 21-year-old Ottawa man charged in connection with a violent home invasion is set to begin today, starting with jury selection. Fernando Martinez, who was arrested last November, faces charges of home invasion and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Martinez, along with co-defendant Michael Boaz from Marseilles, is accused of breaking into a home on Pine Street in Ottawa on November 2, 2023. The pair allegedly exchanged gunfire with one of the residents during the incident. Martinez was treated for a gunshot wound following the altercation. While Martinez’s trial is now underway, Boaz is scheduled to return to court on October 17.
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30-year-old Adam Wing of Ottawa has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and four years of probation after pleading guilty to felony theft involving a sum between $10,000 and $100,000. In exchange for his plea, a second felony theft charge was dismissed, according to court records. The theft occurred in February 2023. Wing was already on probation for a previous conviction after pleading guilty to domestic battery in La Salle County last year.
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A 27-year-old La Salle man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to drug charges. Luis Quinones-Pereira was sentenced Friday by Judge H. Chris Ryan after admitting to dealing cocaine. In exchange for the guilty plea, two other charges, including a firearm offense, were dropped. The investigation began in October when the Trident Drug Task Force flagged a suspicious package shipped from Puerto Rico to La Salle. Inside, authorities discovered more than two pounds of cocaine, leading to Quinones-Pereira’s arrest and eventual conviction.
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Streator police arrested 32-year-old Brittany Ramon, also of Streator. Ramon was wanted on a warrant from La Salle County for failure to appear in court related to a charge of criminal property damage. She was also cited for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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23-year-old Devontae Haynes of Streator has charges following a short pursuit by LaSalle County Deputies near Illinois 18 and East 14th Road shortly after 1:00 a.m. Saturday. Haynes was charged with fleeing and eluding police, speeding 64 miles an hour in a 55 zone, and having no valid driver’s license. Haynes was taken to the LaSalle County Jail and released with a notice to appear in court.
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30-year-old Caleb Torres of Princeton was stopped by Ottawa Police Saturday in the 100 block of East Etna Road and cited for driving on a suspended license.
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A LaSalle woman was taken to the LaSalle County Jail Saturday on charges of violation of pre-trial release and violation of bail bond conditions. 31-year-old Felicia Skalnik was arrested by Ottawa Police in the 600 block of West Marquette Street.
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24-year-old Sadie M. Kjellesvik was charged by Ottawa Police with retail theft and criminal trespass to land after an investigation at Wal-Mart Saturday.
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LaSalle County Deputies stopped a 17-year-old female juvenile from Princeton shortly after Midnight Sunday near Columbus and Jones Streets in Ottawa. She was given a notice to appear in court on charges of improper lane usage and driving an uninsured vehicle.
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26-year-old Bethany Burash of Streator was taken into custody by Streator Police on three outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court. The warrants were issued from La Salle, Livingston, and Will counties. In addition to the warrants, Burash faces charges for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a peace officer, and obstructing a police officer. She was transported to La Salle County Jail.
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WEATHER:
Monday
Sunny, with a high near 67. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low of around 42. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
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OBITUARIES:
Pamela Carlson, 79, of Sheridan, passed away peacefully on October 2nd. There will be no services for Pamela Carlson, Ottawa Funeral Home is handling all arrangements for the family.
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Gerald “Jerry” Eich passed away on October 3rd, at the age of 84, surrounded by his loving family at the Pavilion of Ottawa. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 12th from 10-11:30 AM at the chapel at Oakwood Memorial Park. A funeral ceremony will follow at 11:30 AM. Interment with military honors will follow at the graveside.
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Michael M. Vasquez, age 75, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4th, with his loving family at his side. A visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Thursday, October 10th at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home followed by a memorial service at 4:00 PM. Services will conclude with Military Honors by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 Honor Guard.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
FOOTBALL
Ottawa Pirates 7 vs LP Cavaliers 14 – Final
Marquette takes on Aurora Central Catholic at home on Friday night.
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BOYS SOCCER
Mendota 9, Earlville 0: in Mendota.
La Salle-Peru 6, Serena 0: At the L-P Sports Complex,
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You can find high school sports scores in our area on the WCMY Scorestream at 1430 wcmy.com/highschoolsports/
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PRO SPORTS:
The Bears have won back-to-back games after beating the Carolina Panthers 36-10 at Soldier Field. Caleb Williams completed 20 of his 29 pass attempts for 304 yards and two touchdowns. D’Andre Swift led the team in rushing with 73 yards, including a one-yard touchdown scamper. Roschon Johnson scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground. DJ Moore caught five passes for 105 yards, including two touchdowns. Chicago is now tied for last in the NFC North at 3-and-2 and will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week Six in London.
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The Blackhawks are just about ready for the start of the regular season. On Sunday, Chicago reduced its roster to 23 players. Brandon Baddock Austin Strand and 10 other players were released from their PTO to be assigned to Rockford of the AHL. The Blackhawks visit the Utah Hockey Club tomorrow night.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
Northwestern has dropped back-to-back games, and three of its last four, after falling to Indiana 41-24 at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Northwestern is now 2-and-3 and will visit Maryland Friday night.
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Northern Illinois snapped its two-game slide with a 34-20 win over UMass. The Huskies are now 3-and-2 and will visit Bowling Green Saturday afternoon. Illinois State bounced back with a 45-10 victory at Southern Illinois. The Redbirds are 4-and-2 and will host Missouri State on Saturday afternoon.
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There has been a slight shift in the top five of the latest college football coaches poll. Texas is once again leading the nation as the top team with 44 first-place votes. Ohio State is up one spot, Oregon is up three, Georgia is up a spot, and Penn State is up two spots to round out the remainder of the top five. Miami, Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and LSU complete the top 10. Illinois is up two spots to number 23 in the nation.
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
IVCC 9, Richard J. Daley 2: the Eagles to a nonconference victory in La Salle.
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MEN’S SOCCER
IVCC 1, Richard J. Daley 0: the Eagles earned a nonconference victory in La Salle.