It’s Election Day. Polls are open until 7:00 p.m. Along with the Presidential vote, the Illinois ballot has statewide races for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Illinois House along with a third of the State Senate. Local races include some LaSalle County Board seats along with a choice for LaSalle County Board Chairman, LaSalle County Auditor, Coroner, Recorder, State’s Attorney and Circuit Clerk. Several LaSalle County races are uncontested. Along with judicial retention questions, the ballot also includes three statewide advisory referendums.
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Illinois Valley Community College campuses in Oglesby and Ottawa are closed today for Election Day. And both IVCC campuses will be closed on Monday, November 11th, Veterans Day, but will honor veterans a few days early with a flag-raising ceremony this Friday, November 8th, at 8:30 a.m. Members of Oglesby American Legion Post 237 will lead the ceremony, and the public is welcome to attend. The flag-raising will be followed by an opportunity to gather and talk in CTC 124-125, where juice, coffee and donuts will be served, and President Dr. Tracy Morris will give a brief welcome.
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The La Salle County Board has placed its proposed 2024-2025 fiscal year budget on file, set to begin December 1, featuring a $180,000 levy increase distributed among county property owners. This budget plan allocates additional funding to the La Salle County Nursing Home, Veterans’ Assistance Commission, Health Department, and the county detention and highway funds, while also allowing for the hiring of six new deputies, boosting patrols with two more deputies per shift. The final vote on the budget will take place at the county board’s last meeting of the year on November 29.
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LaSalle County Treasurer Jim Spelich says next Wednesday, November 13th, is the last day for property taxes to be paid before being sold at the tax sale. All payments must be into the Treasurer’s office by 4:30 p.m. on the 13th. The lock box will be closed at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 13th. After that time, all payments must be made in-person in the office. Payments can be made in cash, certified funds, cashier’s check, money order and credit card. You can pay by credit card online until Wednesday, November 13, 2024. You will be able to pay by credit card in the Treasurer’s office until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday the 13th. No payments, even postmarked payments, will be accepted after 4:30 next Wednesday. All unpaid taxes will be sold on Thursday, November 14th.
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Early Sunday morning around 7:57 a.m., a shooting was reported on the 300 block of North Everett Street in Streator. Although responding officers conducted an initial sweep of the area, they found no immediate evidence aside from video footage from the property owner that confirmed gunfire sounds. Later, a man arrived at the police station to report damage to his vehicle from the shooting, although he did not bring the vehicle for inspection, limiting the officers’ ability to evaluate the damage. Following this, police returned to a nearby area off Main Street and discovered five .45 caliber casings, which were collected as evidence. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and the investigation is ongoing, with plans for further interviews and reviews of surveillance footage from local businesses to piece together the incident.
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45-year-old Phillip A. Weeks of La Salle was detained after being charged with cutting off his ankle monitor and attempting to flee while on release for a predatory criminal sexual assault case involving a 10-year-old girl. New charges include escape, a Class 3 felony with a potential two- to five-year sentence, and criminal damage to government property, a Class 4 felony with up to three years. Prosecutor Greg Sticka detailed Weeks’ movements on Halloween, showing tampering and evasion before he was found at a closed tattoo parlor and apprehended in Mendota. Public Defender Ryan Hamer argued for lesser sanctions, but Judge Michael C. Jansz cited Weeks’ disregard for release terms and ordered detention. Weeks’ trial on the original assault charge is set for Jan. 6, with a Dec. 27 motions hearing.
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According to Section 9-15 of the Property Tax Code of the Illinois Revised Statutes, a meeting for township assessors is scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The purpose of this meeting is to provide instruction to assessors and their deputies in order to establish uniformity in their actions. The public meeting will be held at the LaSalle County EMA Building, located at 711 E. Etna Road, Ottawa, IL.
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LaSalle County EMA has designated November as Winter Weather Preparedness Month to raise awareness and encourage residents to prepare for winter conditions like snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. Director Fred Moore emphasized the importance of readiness to prevent severe impacts such as power outages and hazardous roads. Residents are urged to update emergency kits with essentials like blankets and flashlights, winterize their homes by checking insulation and sealing drafts, and stay informed with real-time alerts through the LaSalle County EMA app. For more tips and resources, visit www.lasallecountyema.org or follow their Facebook page.
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Illinois Valley Community College will be closed on Veterans Day but will honor veterans a few days early with a flag-raising ceremony on Friday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 a.m. Members of Oglesby American Legion Post 237 will lead the ceremony, and the public is welcome to attend. The flag-raising will be followed by an opportunity to gather and talk in CTC 124-125, where juice, coffee, and donuts will be served, and President Dr. Tracy Morris will give a brief welcome. Both IVCC campuses will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Classes and services resume Tuesday, Nov. 12.
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USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack issued a disaster declaration for three Illinois counties due to losses caused by tornadoes that occurred earlier this year. Tornadoes struck Marshall and Putnam counties on July 14 and 15, 2024, and Henry County on July 15. Counties contiguous to Marshall, Putnam, and Henry counties are eligible for the same assistance. The contiguous counties include Bureau, Knox, LaSalle, Mercer, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, Whiteside, and Woodford. A Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide emergency loans to producers recovering from natural disasters. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. Those eligible should contact their local USDA Service Center to ask questions or file a Notice of Loss.
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Governor JB Pritzker has declared November as Adoption Awareness Month, and Illinois DCFS is honoring the commitment of thousands of families who have welcomed 19,347 children into loving homes over the past decade. DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller highlighted the invaluable role adoptive parents play in providing children with “roots” and “wings” through connections to their community and cultural identities and offering unwavering support. Special Adoption Day events will be held in Chicago, Marion, Rockford, and Edwardsville to finalize adoptions. Last year, 2,184 children found permanent homes, but 18,850 remain in need. For more information, visit dcfs.illinois.gov or explore the Heart Gallery of Illinois.
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42-year-old Reyes Godina accepted a plea deal in La Salle County Court on Friday, pleading guilty to the felony charge of failing to report an address change while on the sex offender registry. Judge Cynthia Raccuglia sentenced the Mendota man to two years in prison. Godina, who was initially arrested and charged in January 2023, is required to remain on the sex offender registry for life.
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A 58-year-old Princeton woman is charged by Peru Police with retail theft following an incident Sunday at the Peru Wal-Mart. Kalyarat Glover is accused of attempting to take items valued between $20.00 and $49.99.
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A homeless Ottawa man has several charges from Ottawa Police. 39-year-old Jeremy Hiltabrand was stopped in the 1400 block of Boyce Memorial Drive Monday and cited with driving on a suspended license, driving an uninsured vehicle, and no valid registration.
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Peru Police handled a traffic accident with injuries early Saturday morning at the intersection of Unytite Drive and Illinois 251. A 16-year-old male juvenile from Peru was cited for improper lane usage and driving the wrong way on a one-way street, as well as disobeying a traffic control device. The other driver, 29-year-old Macio E. Jefferson of LaSalle was cited for driving on a suspended/revoked license.
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36-year-old Raymond E. Joyce of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police Monday in the 400 block of East Norris Drive and charged with expired registration, driving an uninsured vehicle, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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19-year-old Toni N. Stropes of Streator has a notice to appear in court following a Peru Police traffic stop Friday night at the intersection of 4th and Putnam Streets. Stropes was charged with driving without a valid license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and driving with suspended registration due to insurance requirements.
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24-year-old Andrew A. Gillan of Arlington was arrested by Peru Police just after Midnight Saturday at 7th and Peoria Streets on a charge of domestic battery. He was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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WEATHER:
Tuesday
Showers. High near 66. Breezy, with a south wind of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers before 9 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 43. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Emitt Richard “Shoe” Jordan, 82, of Grand Ridge, passed away on Monday, November 4th, at his home, with his special granddaughters by his side. Funeral services will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Vaughn Michael Hauser, 35, of Ottawa, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 1st, A funeral mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church will be held on Wednesday, November 6th, at 10:30 a.m. in Ottawa, Burial service will follow at St. Columba Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Class 1A Football
#13 Ottawa (Marquette) (6-4) at #12 Galena (H.S.) (6-4), Sat., Nov. 9th, 1:00 pm.
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Shepherd Boys Basketball
7th grade lost to Channahon 40-7. Jack Markey had 3 points, and Jackson Mayzsak and Judah Morris each had 2 points. 7th grade is 0-1.
8th grade lost to Channahon 34-23. Luca Fernandez had 8 points, Mason Mucci had 5 points, and Keandre Miller and Andrew Brink both had 4 points. 8th grade is 0-1.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bulls are on a two-game losing streak following a 135-126 loss to the Utah Jazz at United Center. The Bulls trailed throughout the final three quarters and went down by as many as 15 points during the losing effort. Coby White led the team with 28 points, while Ayo Dosunmu chipped in with 25. Chicago dropped to 3-and-4 with the loss. The Bulls are at Dallas tomorrow night.
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The Chicago Bears are spending the week getting ready for their Week 10 match-up. The Bears host Drake Maye and the New England Patriots at Soldier Field this Sunday. Chicago is on a two-game losing streak following a 29-9 loss to Arizona this past Sunday. The Bears are in last place in the NFC North at 4-and-4. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon.
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The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for their game against the Detroit Red Wings tomorrow night. The Blackhawks are on a two-game winning streak after beating the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Sunday. Chicago is in sixth place in the Central Division with 11 points and a 5-7-and-1 record. Tomorrow’s game begins at 7:00 PM.
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Seiya Suzuki is being recognized for a strong 2024 campaign. The Cubs outfielder was named a National League Silver Slugger Award finalist yesterday. The Silver Slugger Award honors the best-hitting player at each position in each league. The 30-year-old hit .283 with 21 home runs and 73 RBI in 132 games with the Northsiders last year.
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The Chicago White Sox have made some roster moves. The team claimed right-handed pitcher Penn Murfee off waivers from the Houston Astros yesterday. Murfee has not pitched in the Big Leagues since 2023 when he went 1-and-2 with a 1.29 ERA in 16 games with the Mariners. The Southsiders offloaded pitchers Matt Foster and Jimmy Lambert to make room for Murfee on the roster.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The number-24 Illinois Fighting Illini nearly doubled up the EIU Panthers with a 112-67 season-opening win at State Farm Center. The Illini led by 15 points at halftime before outscoring EIU 62-32 in the second half. Will Riley poured in 31 points off the bench, while Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn finished with 21. The 1-and-0 Illini welcome SIU-Edwardsville on Friday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats opened up their 2024-25 season with a 90-46 rout of Lehigh at Welsh Ryan Arena. The Wildcats raced out to a 51-15 halftime lead before coasting to the win in the second half. Nick Martinelli had 26 points and 10 rebounds in the victory, and Luke Hunger added 15 points off the bench. The 1-and-0 Wildcats visit Dayton on Saturday.
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>>College Basketball Wrap-Up
In other college basketball action yesterday, Northern Illinois lost to Georgia Southern 80-65, Illinois State was edged by UT-Martin 67-65, Valparaiso was crushed by Liberty 83-63, Bradley destroyed Southeast Missouri State 88-60, DePaul snuck past Southern Indiana 80-78, Loyola beat Chicago State 79-72, and UIC crushed St. Francis 91-73.