Authorities are looking into a potential link between the discovery of a deceased woman in a rural Mendota home and a fire that severely damaged the property shortly afterward. The La Salle County Coroner, Rich Ploch, reported that the woman was found during a welfare check at the residence located at 73 N. 43rd Road on Wednesday evening. Although her identity has not been released, preliminary assessments suggest her death may have resulted from natural causes, pending the results of an autopsy scheduled for Friday. However, the subsequent fire that consumed the two-story house early Thursday morning raises questions about the circumstances surrounding her death. Firefighters from several agencies fought the blaze for nearly seven hours, and the Mendota Fire Chief indicated that the cause of the fire remains unknown. Investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal are working to determine whether it was an accidental incident. Complicating the matter further, the home was reported to be in poor condition and involved in a hoarding situation, which could affect both investigations. As authorities continue to delve into these events, they are carefully examining all possible connections.
—————————————————————–
Just over a day after their initial announcement, OSF updated their policy, shifting from requiring masks to recommending them for patients and visitors in their hospitals, hospice homes, and clinics. The change emphasizes the importance of personal choice while continuing to encourage measures that protect vulnerable individuals. Visitor limitations for patients remain unchanged.
—————————————————————–
The LaSalle County Veterans Home has reported seven new COVID-19 cases among its staff, the first since late November. This facility previously experienced a severe outbreak in late 2020, which resulted in the unfortunate loss of over 30 veterans. In light of the recent developments, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs has assured the public that visitors are still permitted but recommends exercising caution due to the ongoing risks posed by the outbreak.
—————————————————————–
The Streator Police Department has issued a warning to residents about a prevalent phone scam in which callers, often impersonating law enforcement, deceive individuals into sending money. Typically, the scam begins with a call alleging that the recipient has outstanding warrants or that a family member is incarcerated in La Salle County. The caller demands payment, suggesting that funds be sent via a mobile payment app to resolve the situation or to cover bail fees. Police emphasize that these calls are fraudulent and that they will never ask for money over the phone related to warrants or bail matters. They strongly advise residents to hang up immediately if they receive such calls and to report any suspicious communications along with the associated phone number.
—————————————————————–
Family and friends are saying goodbye to fallen State Trooper Clay Carns. A visitation was held yesterday for Carns in Orland Park. The trooper was hit and killed on December 23rd by a passing vehicle outside of his squad car on I-55 near Channahon. The driver who hit him was charged in the crash. His funeral services will take place today at Parkview Christian Church in Orland Park.
—————————————————————–
A search is underway for a man wanted in a stabbing in Kewanee. Police say officers were called out Tuesday to a home in the 100 block of Payson, where they found one person with a puncture wound to the back of her neck and another person with a small cut on his hand. Scott Petty was also found at the scene with a puncture wound to his right side. Investigators determined that Petty was the aggressor in the incident and had attacked his girlfriend. He was taken to OSF St. Francis in Peoria while detectives secured an arrest warrant for him. While at OSF, Petty fled the facility and remains on the loose.
—————————————————————–
A Chicago City Council member is demanding that all city street fairs and festivals use stronger safety measures after the deadly New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. Fifteenth Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez is calling on the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to require all outdoor events to install mobile vehicle barriers to close off streets. Currently, the city uses wood or plastic barriers. Lopez added that in yesterday’s terrorist attack, the suspect was able to drive around similar barricades used on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter.
—————————————————————–
The LaSalle County Health Department is offering free radon test kits to help residents ensure their homes are safe from this invisible health hazard. Radon, a colorless and odorless radioactive gas, seeps into buildings and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, with over 1,160 cases reported annually in Illinois. Testing is crucial, especially in winter when homes are sealed, as nearly half of the tested homes in LaSalle County exceed the EPA’s action level of 4.0 pCi/L. In 2024, 53 of 110 tests showed elevated levels, averaging 6.56 pCi/L. Residents can obtain free test kits at the LaSalle County Health Department at 717 E. Etna Road, Ottawa, during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.).
In another press release, The LaSalle County Health Department also offers an Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (IBCCP) available which can pay for Pap smear tests for LaSalle and Grundy County women, ages 21-64 who have no insurance or who have high deductibles regardless of income. We invite and encourage anyone who needs more information on cervical cancer and the importance of Pap Smear tests, the IBCCP program, or the cervical cancer vaccines to contact the Health Department at 815-433-3366 or visit our website at www.lasallecountyil.gov
—————————————————————–
Michael Madigan’s racketeering trial is set to resume next week following a break for the holidays. Lawyers in the case met with the judge yesterday for a jury instruction conference. The implications of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on the federal bribery statute were discussed, including how jurors should define the word “corruptly.” The judge believes the high court’s decision has limited bearing on the case.
—————————————————————–
Authorities are investigating after an inmate was found dead in his cell in Lak County Jail in Waukegan. The 53-year-old Zion man was discovered unresponsive on Tuesday night. He was booked into the jail on Monday on a drug charge. And he had several health-related issues. The man has not been identified at this time.
—————————————————————–
Fifty-two-year-old Vance Totten from Ottawa was arrested Wednesday night on two felony charges: dealing cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to jail records, Totten was released on Thursday morning. He had been wanted on a warrant since being indicted in May on three felony counts. Court records reveal that the alleged crimes were committed by Totten in July 2021.
—————————————————————–
WEATHER:
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 23. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 11. Wind chill values are as low as zero. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
—————————————————————–
OBITUARIES:
James F. Wilcox Jr., 86, of Utica, passed away Tuesday, December 31st, at the LaSalle County Nursing Home. A service with military honors will take place at the graveside in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.
—————————————————————–
Emma Lou Cawley (nee- Beyer), 76, of Ottawa, passed away December 27th, at her home; to be with her parents in heaven. There will be no services for Emma Cawley, arrangements are being handled by Ottawa Funeral Home.
—————————————————————–
Valerie Long, 60, of Rutland passed away on December 26th, at her home. A private graveside service will be at Rutland Cemetery in Rutland. The Hurst Funeral Home in Wenona has been entrusted with her arrangements.
—————————————————————–
Walter E. Breipohl, 71, of Ottawa, passed away on Thursday, December 26th, at his home. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. today, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. today at the funeral home. Private burial will take place at St. Columba Cemetery.
—————————————————————–
Kenneth Brockman Age 94 of Morris, died Monday, December 30th, at Arcadia Care of Morris. The family will receive friends at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block east of IL Route 47) in Morris today, between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, January 4th, at Reeves Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m.
—————————————————————–
Anna Mae Brown, 89, of Ottawa, passed away Monday, December 30th, at Pleasant View Lutheran Home surrounded by her family. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 4th, from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 am at St. Patrick’s Church. Burial will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.
—————————————————————–
Vera Ann Martinez, 94, of Ottawa, passed away on December 31st, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. A visitation will be held on Monday, January 6th, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, January 7, at 10:30 am, at St. Patrick’s Church. Burial will follow at St. Columba Cemetery.
—————————————————————–
James Larry “Jabo” Farmer, 75, of Marseilles, passed away on December 26th. A celebration of life will be held at Laborers Local 393 Hall in Marseilles on Saturday, January 11th from 1p – 5p. The Hurst Funeral Home in LaSalle has been entrusted with his arrangements.
—————————————————————–
LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us tonight, as we bring you live high school basketball coverage of the Ottawa Lady Pirates as they take on the Washington Panthers at Kingman Gym for a 6:30 pm tip-off.
—————————————————————–
Girls Varsity Basketball
LPHS 66, Mendota 20
—————————————————————–
Boys Varsity Basketball
Marquette welcomes Earlville – 7 pm
—————————————————————–
PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Bears put a bow on an ugly 2024 season when they visit the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday. The Bears started the season with a 4-and-2 record, but they’ve lost ten in a row to fall to 4-and-12. Chicago also lost to Green Bay at home 20-19 on November 17th. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon.
—————————————————————–
The Bears will be represented by one player in the upcoming 2025 Pro Bowl. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson was selected today for the second straight season. He has only two interceptions this season but he is widely regarded as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. Johnson doesn’t get many passes thrown his way. The Pro Bowl is set for February 2 in Orlando.
—————————————————————–
The Chicago Bulls look to get back in the win column when they host the New York Knicks at United Center tomorrow night. The Bulls are coming off a 125-107 loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference with a 15-and-19 record. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 7:00 PM.
—————————————————————–
The Chicago Blackhawks aim to avoid a sixth consecutive loss when they host the Montreal Canadiens at United Center tonight. The Hawks just lost to the Blues 6-2 in the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Eve. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 26 points and a 12-24-and-2 record. Tonight’s game begins at 7:00 PM.
—————————————————————–
COLLEGE SPORTS:
FOOTBALL
Notre Dame is one step away from the National Championship game. The number-seven Fighting Irish upset second-ranked Georgia 23-10 in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal from New Orleans. Jayden Harrison scored on a 98-yard kickoff for the second-ever kick return touchdown in playoff history. Riley Leonard threw for 88 yards and a score as the defense recovered two fumbles and combined for three sacks. The Fighting Irish will battle number-six Penn State in the Orange Bowl on January 9th.
—————————————————————–
BASKETBALL
20th-ranked Illinois kicked off the New Year with a blowout road win over number-nine Oregon last night. Six players scored in double-figures for the Fighting Illini, including Tre White, who posted his first double-double of the season with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Illinois improved to 10-and-3 with their first road victory over a top-10 team since 2021.
—————————————————————–
The Northwestern Wildcats lost a tight battle against Penn State 84-80 at Bryce Jordan Center. The game was tied at 75 with under four minutes left in regulation before the Nittany Lions went on a 5-0 run to take the lead for good. Brooks Barnhizer had 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Nick Martinelli finished with 18 points. Northwestern fell to 10-and-4 overall and 1-and-2 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats visit number 22 Purdue on Sunday.
—————————————————————–
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish look to get back in the win column when they host North Carolina at Purcell Pavilion tomorrow. The Irish are coming off an 86-75 loss to Georgia Tech on New Year’s Eve. Notre Dame is 7-and-6 overall and 1-and-1 in ACC play. Tomorrow’s game tips off at 11:00 AM Central time.
—————————————————————–
In other college hoops action yesterday, Illinois State beat Murray State 74-68. Chicago State is at Wagner tonight. Tomorrow, DePaul visits Villanova, Loyola hosts VCU, Bradley welcomes Missouri State, UIC is at Belmont, Northern Illinois is on the road against Eastern Michigan, and Valparaiso is at home against Northern Iowa. On Sunday, Illinois State has a home game against Illinois State, and Chicago State travels to Long Island University.