The unusually dry weather conditions are prompting several cities to implement burn bans until further notice. These cities include Peru, Oglesby, Marseilles, Mendota, Troy Grove, Utica, and Ladd. Overall, fire department officials at both municipal and rural volunteer departments, discourage outdoor burning until significant rains arrive.
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More than 100 residents packed into Streator City Hall Tuesday night to address the growing concerns over a recent spike in gun violence, with police reporting at least five incidents of shots fired since early October, leading to property damage and one injury. Police Chief John Franklin and Deputy Chief Robert Wood informed attendees that most of the shootings are believed to be tied to local drug trafficking. Residents were encouraged to register their home security cameras on the city’s website to assist police in their investigation.
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A former Ottawa High School teacher has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material. 66-year-old Edward Frankenberger of Ottawa, who had retired from Ottawa Township High School before charges were filed, pleaded guilty in January to one count of possessing illegal images in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. On September 30th, Judge Thomas Durkin handed down the 36-month sentence. Court records indicate that Frankenberger, a former vocational education teacher, had retired from District 140 before the earliest charges, which date back to 2019.
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County Highway 8, the Deer Park Blacktop, will be closed for a culvert replacement starting Monday, October 28th. The culvert is located ¼ mile west of County Highway 57, East 13th Road, along the South Ottawa Township and Farm Ridge Township line. The project is expected to take approximately two months to complete, weather permitting, and motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes during this time.
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Ottawa will host the dedication of two Illinois State Historical Society markers this weekend. On Saturday afternoon at 2:00, a marker located on the grassy south bank of the Illinois & Michigan Canal at Columbus Street will commemorate Ernest Hemingway’s 1917 canoe trip to Starved Rock. Speakers will include Andy Rae, the grandson of Hemingway’s travel companion, and Chet Wold of the Illinois State Historical Society. The marker was paid for by Rich Mennecke, a member of the Ottawa Historic Preservation Commission. Other costs were paid by the Ottawa Canal Association and the City of Ottawa. The adjacent I&M Canal Collector’s Office across Columbus Street will be open for viewing before and after the dedication. Then Sunday afternoon at 1:00, a second marker on Ottawa Avenue in the furthest boulevard island west of Boyce Memorial Drive will honor Camp Cushman, a Civil War training camp. The new marker will explain the significance and unexpected fate of the Civil War training ground. It was paid for by donations from members of the Starved Rock Civil War Roundtable. The new flagpole was paid for by Ottawa First, the organization that collects funds for Ottawa’s annual Fourth of July fireworks. A flag ceremony will be provided by the Ottawa American Legion Honor Guard. Both events are expected to last about half an hour.
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The Sunrise Rotary Club of Ottawa is hosting its second annual Oktoberfest-themed German dinner this Friday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church on Ottawa’s south side on Chambers Street. The menu will feature traditional German fare, including pork schnitzel, bratwurst, spaetzle, homemade sauerkraut, and German apple kuchen. Tickets must be purchased in advance to assist with planning. For tickets, call 815-488-8099 or 630-885-3441.
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The jury selection process continues in the racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. No jurors were selected yesterday. Seven-panel members are still needed before the opening statements begin, which was tentatively scheduled for today. Madigan and longtime confidant, Michael McClain, face charges accusing them of conspiring to participate in an array of bribery and extortion schemes.
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A Bloomington doctor is behind bars after being accused of traveling to meet a teenager for sex last week. Kynan Brown is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Authorities say Brown used an online service to solicit a 14-year-old for sex. He is a physician at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.
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An investigation is underway following the killing of a teen in Lee County, Illinois. The Rochelle Police Department informed the Lee County Sheriff’s Office yesterday morning that a 17-year-old boy walked into their lobby and said he
was involved in a homicide at an apartment on Richardson Avenue in Ashton. Deputies responded to the address and found a 16-year-old girl dead inside the apartment. No cause of death has been revealed and the incident appears to be related to domestic violence.
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Minor injuries resulted in a two-vehicle accident Tuesday morning at about 6:00 o’clock in Meriden Township near U.S. 34 and East 9th Road. LaSalle County Deputies say 34-year-old Juan Lopez-Hernandez of Aurora was driving a tractor-trailer southbound when a northbound vehicle, driven by 31-year-old Jorge Rangel of Mendota veered into the southbound lane and struck the back left tire and rim of Lopez-Hernandez’s tractor, causing damage. Rangel was cited for improper lane usage and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. He was released with a notice to appear.
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Tuesday evening after 8:00, LaSalle County Deputies conducted a traffic stop at 210 Waters Street in Streator, resulting in the arrest of two individuals. The driver, 37-year-old Mark Kebsbach of Streator, was cited for disobeying a stop sign and arrested for possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the LaSalle County Jail and later released with a Notice to Appear. The passenger, 33-year-old Shyla Knight of Streator, was arrested on an active LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear related to criminal damage to property, violation of pretrial release conditions, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was also taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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A St. Louis, Missouri, man has several charges from Ottawa Police. 25-year-old Nore K. Edmond was arrested early today at East Norris Drive and Champlain Street on charges of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, speeding 35 miles an hour of the posted limit, disobeying a traffic control signal, and unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver.
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Mendota Police investigated an incident around 9:00 o’clock Tuesday night in the 700 block of Meadowview Drive. 70-year-old Louis A. Pouk was arrested for assault. He was released with a notice to appear in court.
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32-year-old Erica Hernandez of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police Tuesday at West Norris Drive and Poplar Street and cited for driving on a suspended license.
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WEATHER:
Today
Widespread frost before 9 am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Widespread frost, mainly after 3 am. Otherwise, clear, with a low around 31. Calm wind becoming south-southwest around 5 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
None
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LOCAL SPORTS:
FOOTBALL -Ottawa Pirates Vs. Rochelle Hubs
When: 7 p.m. Friday – Guest announcer Cory from Friendship House
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Girls volleyball
Seneca 2, Marquette 0: At Bader Gymnasium
Ottawa 2, Morris 1: At Morris
Streator 2, Manteno 0: At Manteno
Newark 2, Somonauk 0: At Somonauk
Serena 2, Plano 0: At Plano
Sandwich 2, Parkview Christian 0: At Sandwich
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Girls tennis
Ottawa 4, Mendota 1: At Mendota
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PRO SPORTS:
The Bears’ Week eight game against the Commanders in Washington is getting a national audience. The game was originally scheduled for noon on Sunday, October 27th. However, the NFL announced the game was flexed to a late afternoon kickoff of 3:25. It will feature the first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft in Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Chicago Bears are adding to their special teams unit. The team signed Pro Bowl long snapper Jake McQuaide to their practice squad yesterday. The 36-year-old was named to the 2016 and 2017 Pro Bowl rosters while with the Rams, and he spent nine games with the Detroit Lions last year. The move comes after Scott Daly was injured against the Jaguars in London, forcing tight end Cole Kmet to serve as the emergency long snapper for the rest of that game. Daly is considered to be week-to-week, and the Bears have a bye in Week Seven.
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The Chicago Blackhawks gave up a go-ahead goal late in the second period during a 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Nick Foligno tied the game at one with a goal late in the first period, but Andrei Kuzmenko scored the eventual game-winning goal with six-and-a-half minutes left in the second. The Blackhawks are in sixth place in the Central Division with three points and a 1-2-and-1 record. Chicago hosts San Jose tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Bulls continue preseason play with a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the United Center tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 111-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. Chicago is 1-and-2 in exhibition play. Lonzo Ball is expected to play in his first NBA game since January of 2022 tonight. The contest tips off at 7:00 PM.
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A trio of Chicago baseball players are being recognized for their outstanding defense during the 2024 MLB season. Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson and left fielder Ian Happ were both named finalists for the National League Gold Glove Awards, while White Sox second baseman Nicky Lopez is a finalist in the American League. The Gold Glove Award is given to the best defensive players at each position in each league. The award winners will be announced on November 3rd.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Parkland 2, IVCC 1: the Eagles lost a nonconference match in Champaign.
MEN’S SOCCER
Parkland 6, IVCC 1: the Eagles lost a nonconference game in Champaign.