The La Salle Police Department has released some information on a man from La Salle who has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl from Ottawa. The incident came to light on November 12th when a 13-year-old girl contacted the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office to report a criminal sexual assault that had taken place in La Salle. In response, detectives from the La Salle Police Department swiftly initiated an investigation. Following their inquiries, a warrant was issued for 29-year-old Richard Lombardi of La Salle, charging him with aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Lombardi was apprehended on Thursday and is currently held at the La Salle County Jail.
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Bureau County Sheriff James Reed announced on Thursday that the body discovered at the decommissioned Cherry Mine belongs to 20-year-old Jaylyon Anthony Rucker, a resident of the Champaign, Illinois area. The sheriff’s deputies were called to the site on June 8, and after an extensive investigation over the past few months, Rucker’s identity has been confirmed. Sheriff Reed emphasized that this remains an active murder investigation and is urgently seeking public assistance; he encourages anyone with pertinent information to reach out to the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit. Furthermore, a Crimestoppers reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Rucker’s tragic death.
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On Sunday morning, deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a home invasion in the 1600 block of South Bloomington Street in Streator. Following investigations, they suspected the perpetrator was barricaded in a nearby residence. With the assistance of Streator police officers, authorities managed to apprehend the suspect without any complications. The individual has since been taken into custody at the Livingston County Jail, where the investigation is ongoing.
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State police are releasing video of a deadly officer-involved shooting last month in DeKalb. Officers chased a vehicle being driven by a Rockford shooting suspect on October 23rd until it was stopped in the 6000 block of Rich Road in DeKalb. Officers noticed Abram Perez inside the vehicle. He was armed with a gun and had taken one person hostage in the vehicle. After hours of negotiations, the hostage was released. The footage shows Perez firing several rounds at law enforcement before an officer shoots and kills him. The incident remains under investigation.
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On Thursday, the city of Oglesby issued a warning about a potential scam. Residents have received calls claiming their meter is due for an upgrade and has already been replaced. The caller then requests personal information for verification. The city emphasizes that these calls are not legitimate and that they do not charge for meter upgrades unless prior arrangements have been made. Additionally, Oglesby officials do not ask for any personal or payment details related to meter services. Only the city manages meter installations and readings.
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The Community Food Basket of Ottawa’s annual Thanksgiving Mobile Food Pantry distribution is Saturday morning on the west side of the OSF St. Elizabeth Center parking garage. The distribution begins at 9:30 a.m. and continues while supplies last. There will not be frozen turkeys handed out. $20 meat vouchers to Handy Foods will be included in each box. Recipients must be present or send a representative with a completed proxy form in order to receive food for a household. The proxy form can be downloaded at the Community Food Basket of Ottawa Facebook page.
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LaSalle County CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates – recently held its annual board meeting to reaffirm its commitment to serving vulnerable children in the community. The meeting welcomed new board members Martin Miller and Beth Findley Smith, along with Alexis Ferracuti and Abby Slusarski, and elected Brian Dose as the new Board President. The board thanked outgoing president Kevin Nelson and recognized former members Karen Willard Barton, Steve Navario, and Melissa Lorenzi Basil for their invaluable contributions. Immediately after, board members began strategic planning to enhance CASA’s ability to assist the courts and serve more children, ensuring every child’s voice is heard. The organization continues to recruit, train, and support advocates and invites community members to become volunteers, donors, or sponsors. For more information, visit lasallecountycasa.org.
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A bill that would require people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be paid the full minimum wage in Illinois is one step closer to reality. The Illinois state Senate passed the Dignity in Pay Act yesterday, sending it to Governor Pritzker’s desk. The measure would end Illinois’ certificate program, which allows some employers to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage.
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The Illinois Supreme Court is overturning Jussie Smollett’s disorderly conduct conviction. The state’s high court ruled that a special prosecutor’s decision to retry the former “Empire” actor over allegations he staged a hate crime against himself violated his rights because he had already entered into an agreement with the office of Cook County state’s attorney’s Kim Foxx to dismiss his case. Smollett was convicted of disorderly conduct in December 2021 for lying to police about being the victim of a 2019 phony racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. He served six days of a five-month jail sentence before being released to wait out his appeals. Illinois’ highest court ruled that the trial violated his Fifth Amendment protections against double jeopardy after a state attorney agreed to drop the original charges. The court said a second prosecution under these circumstances is a due process violation and they reversed Smollet’s conviction.
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Mendota Police Department conducted a traffic stop near Snyder’s Grove at East 4th Road and North 3973rd Road. As a result of that stop the driver, Aaron Sanchez Jimenez of Mendota was arrested for No Valid Driver’s License and Reckless Driving. The 42-year-old Sanchez Jimenez was released with a notice to appear in court.
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46-year-old Christopher A. Nelson of Peru was arrested by Peru Police Thursday morning at CVS Pharmacy on Shooting Park Road. Nelson was charged with violating an order of protection and was taken to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Thursday morning just after 7:30, LaSalle County Deputies investigated a single-vehicle accident with minor injuries in the area of RT 23 & N 2350th RD. (Farm Ridge TWP) Melissa Macias (24) of Streator was driving north on RT 23 when she lost control on the snow-covered roadway. Her vehicle entered the west ditch and struck a tree. She was cited for improper use of registration, expired registration, and uninsured motor vehicle. Melissa was released with an NTA.
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32-year-old Lacey A. Juergensen of Cherry was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Senior Watchdog Inc., located at 1222 Shooting Park Road, Suite 102. Juergensen received a non-traffic citation from Peru Police for battery related to the incident.
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A single-vehicle accident with minor injuries just before 6:30 Wednesday morning resulted in a citation being issued to a Wenona man. 43-year-old Joshua Krueger was northbound on Illinois 251 near North 19th Road in Eden Township when he attempted to pass another vehicle. While returning to the northbound lane, Krueger lost control of his vehicle, struck a guard rail, and overturned. He was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and the use of unsafe tires. He was released with a notice to appear in court.
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WEATHER:
Friday
Cloudy, with a high near 44. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night
Cloudy, with a low around 34. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
Mary Ann Phelps, 79, of Ottawa, passed away Tuesday, November 19th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Ottawa. According to her wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and no services will be held. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa.
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Anna Mae (Quiring) Hamalle 92, of Ottawa, passed away on Monday, November 18th, at the OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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Carol M. “Mimi” Mussatto, 86, of Marseilles, passed away on Tuesday, November 19th, at her home surrounded by her family. Memorial visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, November 23rd at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home in Marseilles. A celebration of life will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery in Marseilles.
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John J. Meyer 93, of Marseilles, passed away on Tuesday, November 19th, at his home surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 25th, at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery in Ottawa. Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 24th, at the Mueller Funeral Home, with the Knights of Columbus in attendance. Additional visitation will be held from 9 to 10:15 a.m. on Monday, at the funeral home.
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Robert (Bob) Cotner, of Seneca, passed away on November 16th. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 22nd at 2 pm at Refuge Coffee & Co. located in The Lumberyard @ 113 W. William St, Seneca. Ottawa Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Shepherd Boys Basketball
7th grade defeated JFK Spring Valley 34-2. Leading the way for Shepherd: Jack Markey with 8 points, Jackson Mayszak with 6 points, Joey Husted with 5 points and 7 steals, Colin Heimer and Jaxyn Provance each had 4 points. 7th grade is now 1-10.
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8th grade defeated JFK Spring Valley 38-27. Leading the way for Shepherd: Luca Fernandez with 11 points and 5 assists, Keandre Miller with 9 points and 12 rebounds, Andrew Brink with 6 points, and Mason Mucci with 4 points. 8th grade is now 6-5.
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Girls basketball
Ottawa 55, East Peoria 37: Ottawa (3-0) now advances to Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. championship game at Pontiac High School.
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Serena 23, Seneca 20 (OT): In the Seneca Pool of the Falcon-Irish Thanksgiving Tournament on Thursday
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Marquette 45, Flanagan-Cornell 37: In the Flanagan-Cornell Pool of the Falcon-Irish Thanksgiving Tournament
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St. Bede 48, Pontiac 45: the Bruins had their first win of the season in the Pontiac Turkey Tip-Off in Pontiac.
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Boys bowling
Sycamore 3,470, Ottawa 3,298: At Dettore’s Town Lanes, the Pirates dropped the Interstate 8 Conference dual to the Spartans.
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bears will try to snap their four-game losing streak when they host the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Sunday. The 4-and-6 Bears are in last place in the NFC North after losing 20-19 against the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. Chicago hasn’t scored 20 points in a game in more than a month with rookie quarterback Caleb Williams throwing for just nine touchdowns and five interceptions. The Bears haven’t won against Minnesota at Soldier Field since 2019. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon.
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The Chicago Blackhawks snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Florida Panthers 3-1 at United Center. Teuvo Teravainen and Craig Smith scored to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead through two periods, and Nick Foligno sealed the victory with an empty-netter in the final minute. Chicago remains in last place in the Central Division with 15 points and a 7-12-and-1 record. The Hawks are at Flyers tomorrow.
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The Chicago Bulls look to get back in the win column when they host the Atlanta Hawks at United Center tonight. The Bulls just lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 122-106 on Wednesday. Chicago is in 12th place in the Eastern Conference with a 6-and-10 record. Tonight’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
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The Bulls will be without starting forward Patrick Williams for at least three games. He reportedly has recently been feeling pain in his surgically repaired left foot. Williams missed last night’s game against the Bucks and will sit out tomorrow and Saturday’s matchup against Atlanta and Memphis respectively. In 15 games, the frontcourt player has been averaging nearly ten points a game and a career-best five rebounds and two-point-three assists.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The number-six Notre Dame Fighting Irish go for their ninth win in a row when they take on number-19 Army at Yankee Stadium tomorrow night. The Irish are coming off a 35-14 rout over Virginia last week. Notre Dame is 9-and-1 with two games to play. The Irish have won 15 straight games against Army with their last loss coming in 1958. Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 6:00 PM Central time.
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The number-25 Illinois Fighting Illini will try to get a winning streak going when they visit Rutgers at SHI Stadium tomorrow. The Illini just beat Michigan State 38-16 to snap a two-game losing streak last weekend. Illinois is in fifth place in the Big Ten with a 4-and-3 conference record and a 7-and-3 mark overall. The Illini have won three of their last four games against the Scarlet Knights. Tomorrow’s game kicks off at 11:00 AM.
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The Northwestern Wildcats look to bounce back from a big loss last weekend when they visit the Michigan Wolverines at The Big House tomorrow. The Wildcats were blown out by number-two Ohio State 31-7 last weekend. Northwestern is in 16th place in the Big Ten with a 2-and-5 conference record and a 4-and-6 mark overall. The Wildcat’s last win against Michigan was in 2008. Tomorrow’s game gets underway at 2:30 PM.
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In other college football action this weekend, Illinois State hosts North Dakota.
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The number-20 Illinois Fighting Illini looks to get back in the win column when they host Maryland-Eastern Shore at State Farm Center tomorrow afternoon. The Illini lost to number-seven Alabama 100-87 on Wednesday. Illinois is 3-and-1 to start the season. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 3:00 PM.
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In college basketball action Today, Notre Dame hosts Elon, Northwestern welcomes Pepperdine, Bradley takes on Wright State, UIC is at La Salle, Chicago State visits Indiana State, and Illinois State goes up against McNeese State. Tomorrow, DePaul has a home game against Northern Illinois, and Loyola hosts Tulsa. Valparaiso is at home against Eastern Illinois on Sunday.
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MEN’S BASKETBALL
IVCC 68, Harper 58: Qu’amar Hobbs knocked down three 3-pointers and scored 19 points to lead the Eagles to a victory in Oglesby.