NEWS:
Ottawa Police Chief Brent Roalson announced on Friday the completed installation of a camera system within Ottawa’s city parks. Ottawa Central Dispatch is now able to monitor the parks 24/7 and provide real-time updates to first responders during an emergency or when criminal activity is reported to 9-1-1. Since the implementation of the FLOCK system, three arrests for criminal activity in the parks have been made, and the cameras will assist in the prosecution of the offenders. Chief Roalson gives special thanks to Commissioner Marla Pearson and the Ottawa Parks and Recreation Board for their support in the security camera project.
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21-year-old Kaylee L. Neitzel of Ottawa pleaded guilty Friday to obstructing justice in connection with a November 2023 armed home invasion where shots were fired. In La Salle County Circuit Court, she received a plea deal due to her lack of prior criminal history, resulting in a 30-month conditional discharge and the forfeiture of her firearm owner’s ID card. Neitzel’s involvement included attempts to mislead police about how another suspect, Fernando Martinez, was shot during the incident. While she faced lesser charges, Martinez is awaiting sentencing for home invasion, potentially facing up to 50 years in prison, after being convicted largely based on video evidence. Another accomplice, Michael Boaz, has also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 16 years for his role in the crime.
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A rising number of Illinois hospitals are scoring “A” grades for safety, even though a dozen hospitals in the state earned “D” grades. The Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit, reports in a recent study that 32 Illinois hospitals earned high marks, with OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center receiving an “A” grade, reflecting its commitment to patient safety and quality care. Three other OSF HealthCare facilities—OSF Saint James, OSF St. Mary, and OSF Saint Anthony’s—also earned “A” grades. The “A” also list includes the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Rush University Medical Center along with six Endeavor Health hospitals and seven Northwestern Medicine hospitals. Several suburban and inner-city medical centers earned a “D”. The full list of healthcare facilities and grades can be found at hospital-safety-grade-dot-org.
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Nurses at UI Health are back to work after ending a four-day strike late Saturday night. The Illinois Nurses Association says a tentative four-year contract agreement includes improved safety measures, better wages, and more input on staffing decisions. Nurses will vote to ratify the deal on Tuesday. This marks the second strike by UI Health nurses this year, following another walkout in August over similar concerns.
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Super-majority Democrats in the Illinois legislature are looking to “Trump-proof” the state next year. The Democrats who have total control over the legislature and the constitutional offices say they will be looking to make sure President-elect Trump can’t roll back rights in the state. That includes making sure abortion remains legal in Illinois and extending protections for illegal immigrants. Democratic Governor JB Pritzker has already said he intends to keep Illinois “as-is”. In recent remarks he has even challenged the new president, saying if Trump wants to make changes for immigrants, abortions, or trans people Trump would have to ‘come through me.’
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A bill making its way through the Illinois House would better protect the rights of cancer patients. All residents with a cancer diagnosis would have access to new treatments at top-rated facilities under the Illinois Cancer Patients Bill of Rights. Chicago Democrat Marcus Evans is spearheading the resolution. Evans was diagnosed with cancer in his early 20s and says he understands the importance of access to quality care firsthand.
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Illinois residents are bracing for more expensive heating bills this winter. Higher costs for utility providers are one of the main reasons for the expected increase, but also colder weather. Last year was the warmest winter on record for much of the state. This year, forecasters are calling for “colder than normal” temperatures throughout late December and into the New Year.
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The Sunrise Rotary Club of Ottawa recognized two outstanding seniors as its November Students of the Month: Ashton Grady from Marquette Academy and Kyle Hobbs from Ottawa High School. Grady, aspiring to major in sports medicine with a minor in education, aims to become a teacher and coach, inspired by his coaches and his grandfather, Hall. Meanwhile, Hobbs, who developed a passion for planning and building with Legos as a child, is on a path toward a career in architectural engineering, fueled by his interests in physics and math. Both students received gift certificates to Jimmy John’s and are now in the running for a $1,000 scholarship to be awarded in May.
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The Department of Justice is opening a civil rights investigation into an Illinois sheriff’s office in response to the death of a 36-year-old Black woman shot in her own home. Sonya Massey called authorities to her home near Springfield back in July saying there may be a prowler outside. After arriving on the scene, the mother of two was noted to have had a pot of boiling water on the stove. As she moved to tend to the pot, a deputy told her to step away. Instead, Massey – who was believed to have been suffering from mental health issues – told the deputy “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Bodycam footage shows he threatened to shoot her in the face and seconds later opened fire. Sean Grayson was fired from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office two weeks later and is currently facing a charge of first-degree murder.
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The family of an Illinois inmate who died during a summer heatwave at a prison in Crest Hill is taking legal action. An attorney representing the wife of Michael Broadway says Stateville Prison officials handled the man’s medical emergency poorly last June. The suit alleges the defendants violated Broadway’s Eighth Amendment rights, which include cruel and unusual punishment, and they are seeking damages for wrongful death and the estate’s pain and suffering. The day the plaintiff died it was 100 degrees outside and the temperature on the prison floor ranged as high as 120 degrees. In addition to the Illinois Department of Corrections, the defendants in the case include health contractor Wexford Health Sources, the warden, and a dozen other staff members.
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Just after 4:00 a.m. Friday, LaSalle County Deputies arrested 55-year-old Darcie Verly of Streator for driving on a suspended license and an active warrant out of Bureau County for failure to appear in court on a driving offense charge. A passenger, 36-year-old Antonio Johnson was Streator was arrested on an outstanding LaSalle County warrant for failure to appear in court for possession of a controlled substance, obstructing identification, and possession of drug equipment. Verly and Johnson were both taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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41-year-old Steven Linder of Morris was stopped by Ottawa Police early Monday in the 700 block of LaSalle Street and was arrested on two charges of driving under the influence, illegal transportation of alcohol by a driver, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.
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WEATHER:
Monday
Showers, mainly between 10 am and 3 pm. High near 60. Breezy, with an east-southeast wind of 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. The chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Showers and thunderstorms before 3 am, then a chance of showers. Steady temperature around 60. Breezy, with a southeast wind of 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
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OBITUARIES:
Judith Ann Armstrong, 84, of Ottawa passed away on November 16th, at her home surrounded by those she loved. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 19th, at Ottawa Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 7:00 pm at the funeral home with Pastor John Nordstrom Sr officiating.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Girls Basketball:
Manual Rams @ Ottawa – 5:30 pm
Streator @ Serena – 5:30 pm
Herscher @ Seneca – 7 pm
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bears are on a four-game losing streak after a 20-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Caleb Williams drove Chicago’s offense into field goal range near the end of regulation, but Cairo Santos’ game-winning attempt was blocked as time expired. Williams passed for 231 yards and rushed for 70 in the losing effort, while D’Andre Swift rushed for 71 yards and a score. The Bears remain in last place in the NFC North at 4-and-6. Chicago hosts Minnesota this Sunday.
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The Chicago Bulls were torn apart in the final three-quarters of their 143-107 loss to the Houston Rockets at United Center. The Bulls trailed by just one after the first quarter, but they trailed by as many as 39 points in the losing effort. Zach LaVine led Chicago with 15 points. The Bulls dropped to 5-and-9. They visit the Pistons tonight.
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The Chicago Blackhawks surrendered three goals in the third period during a 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Saturday. Erik Brannstrom broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth minute of the third before the Canucks added a pair of empty-netters at the end of regulation. Ilya Mikheyev scored Chicago’s only goal. The Blackhawks are tied for last place in the Central Division with 13 points and a 6-11-and-1 record. Chicago hosts Anaheim tomorrow.
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The Chicago Sky will have a chance at one of the best women’s basketball prospects next year. The Chicago Sky won the third pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft during the lottery yesterday. The Sky will also have the tenth pick in the draft, which takes place on April 14th.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The number-eight Notre Dame Fighting Irish are on an eight-game winning streak following a 35-14 win over Virginia at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday. The Irish scored 21 points in the second quarter before coasting to a victory in the second half. Notre Dame forced five turnovers in the victory, while Riley Leonard had 214 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Jeremiyah Love rushed for 137 yards and two scores. The 9-and-1 Irish take on the number-24 Army this Saturday.
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The Illinois Fighting Illini shook off a two-game losing streak by beating Michigan State 38-16 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Michigan State got within one possession early in the third quarter before the Illini ended the game with a 17-0 run. Luke Altmyer passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns, while Josh McCray scored three times on the ground. The Illini are in fifth place in the Big Ten with a 4-and-3 conference record and a 7-and-3 mark overall. Illinois is at Rutgers this Saturday.
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The Northwestern Wildcats fell to number-two Ohio State 31-7 at Wrigley Field on Saturday. Northwestern got out to a 7-0 lead when Jack Lausch scored on an eight-yard touchdown run, but the Wildcats surrendered 31 straight points to end the game. Lausch passed for 201 yards in the losing effort. Northwestern is in 16th place in the Big Ten with a 2-and-5 conference record and a 4-and-6 mark overall. The Wildcats visit Michigan this Saturday.
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In other college football action over the weekend, Illinois State beat Indiana State 31-19, and Valparaiso lost to Dayton 26-14.
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In college basketball action Saturday, Notre Dame earned an 84-63 win over Georgetown, Bradley won against Northern Illinois 76-60, UIC destroyed Saint Mary’s of Minnesota 117-59, and Chicago State lost to San Francisco 82-37. Illinois State crushed Trinity Christian College 107-52 yesterday.