Rich Ploch, the La Salle County coroner, recently reported a remarkable 37% decrease in fatal overdoses for 2024, with only 12 cases confirmed so far. This decline aligns with statewide trends, largely attributed to a significant drop in heroin use, as methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl take precedence in toxicology results. Tri-DENT Commander Marc Hoster noted an 80% reduction in heroin-related arrests and black-market sales, while grassroots initiatives like the Perfectly Flawed Foundation have enhanced outreach, education, and naloxone access, leading to over 1,000 overdose reversals, including 400 this year alone. Despite ongoing drug challenges, this reduction in fatalities is a hopeful sign for the community.
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In 2024, the Ottawa Fire Department experienced an extraordinary year of service, marked by an unprecedented surge in activity. The department proudly responded to 4,268 total calls, culminating in an impressive 6,582 vehicle responses. The year also set a new benchmark for medic calls, with a staggering 3,577 incidents requiring medical assistance in Ottawa and the surrounding area.
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The Oglesby City Council unanimously approved the promotion of Sgt. Evan Duttlinger to the position of deputy chief, which has now opened the door for Randy Oscepinski to step into the role of sergeant. Duttlinger has long been a cherished figure in the community, particularly remembered for the overwhelming support he received from residents who illuminated blue porch lights throughout the city during his battle with a serious illness eight years ago. His bravery was further recognized when he received a commendation for responding courageously to a dangerous situation involving a deranged individual outside Illinois Valley Community College, from which he emerged unscathed.
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On Saturday evening, a semi-truck collided with a power pole along Route 6, also known as West Bluff Street, causing widespread power outages in Marseilles. Ameren reported that power restoration would not occur until around 3 AM the following morning, prompting community leaders to take swift action to ensure residents remained safe and warm. In response to the outage, Marseilles City Hall, the fire station, and Marseilles United Methodist Church opened their doors as warming centers, offering refuge to those affected. City officials actively communicated via social media, providing updates and information to keep the community informed during this challenging time. A few hours into the blackout, emergency services were dispatched to assist an elderly woman who relied on oxygen and was left without power.
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State Police are coming off a busy 24 hours in central Illinois. State police responded to over two hundred accidents between Sunday and Monday mornings. That includes dozens of accidents in Christian and Sangamon counties. Accidents piled up as a winter storm swept through the region, dumping over eight inches of snow in some parts.
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The Hall Township Food Pantry has experienced a security breach involving its email account. On Monday morning, a fraudulent message was sent out, impersonating the pantry and soliciting assistance with an Amazon purchase. In response, Executive Director Jan Martin quickly alerted the media about this incident. She also reported the issue to their email service provider, which identified and removed a counterfeit account linked to the pantry. In light of this situation, the Hall Township Food Pantry urges the community to disregard any suspicious messages they may receive. To enhance security and protect against future breaches, the pantry has implemented additional safety measures.
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Kristin Mangrich, principal of Streator Woodland Elementary School, has been named the Corn Belt Region’s Elementary Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. A Malden native, she earned this honor for her exceptional leadership, dedication to education and positive impact on the school community. Mangrich is now one of 21 regional winners being considered for the state-level award. The Illinois Principals Association recognizes leaders like her for their commitment to excellence in education.
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Scott Air Force Base is among military bases across the country that have changed some policies regarding who can enter the bases. The changes state all people entering a military base must show a Department of Defense ID card. Scott Air Base gave no reason for the changes in a statement it issued this weekend. The changes follow attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas by a former IT specialist for the Army and an Army Green Beret.
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Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson are clashing over proposed state legislation that would regulate products like Delta 8 in Illinois. Pritzker has supported a bill that would effectively ban most sales of weedlike substances that are popular among teens. Johnson has pushed back against the measure because it would take away revenue from Chicago. Democrats downstate debated the measure for hours yesterday.
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Michael Madigan’s defense is on the attack in his racketeering trial. As proceedings resumed yesterday following a long holiday break, the former Illinois House Speaker’s lawyers called a former Madigan staffer to the stand to contradict testimony from Will Cousineau about the passage of a ComEd bill. The trial is inching closer to a conclusion. Closing arguments could take place as soon as next week.
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Several Senate Republican members held a news conference Monday to highlight misplaced priorities taken up during a “lame duck” session at the Capitol just days before a new group of lawmakers are sworn in to begin the regular spring legislative schedule. The GOP members say at the top of the priorities list for the supermajority Democrat Senate is a law allowing noncitizens to legally change their names, helping those unlawfully in Illinois avoid potential federal deportation efforts.
Senators Chapin Rose, Neil Anderson, and Sue Rezin addressed the Capitol press corps.
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The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has been selected to participate in the Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model, a program by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. With $17 million in federal funding over 10 years, Illinois will pilot strategies to address physical, mental, and social health needs during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, particularly in underserved areas like Aurora and Rockford. The initiative will enhance provider infrastructure, expand access to midwives and perinatal health workers, and implement value-based payment models to improve care quality and reduce disparities, aligning with the state’s Healthy Illinois 2028 plan.
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John Deere is making more cuts. The Moline-based farming company laid off more than 100 workers at the Waterloo Works facility yesterday due to low demand for products and challenging market conditions. John Deere Ottumwa Works also issued a mass layoff notice for 75 employees. Those layoffs go into effect on February 7th. The announcement comes just days after 80 John Deere employees were laid off in Davenport last Friday.
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Family members are calling for justice after they claim a Rockford man was shot to death while vacationing in Mexico over the holidays. Relatives of Jesus Macias say he and his family were traveling along a highway in Zacatecas, Mexico on December 30th when he failed to stop at a checkpoint set up by a drug cartel. He was then shot and killed in front of his mother, wife, and young son. Macias is set to be laid to rest tomorrow in Rockford.
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A man is charged with robbing the South Peoria Dollar General with a machete in 2023. Rufus Sanders will remain in custody until his trial. Prosecutors say a man wearing a white mask was armed with a machete when he entered the store on July 18th, 2023, and demanded the cashier give him money from the register. The robber then walked behind the counter and took about 340 dollars. Detectives recovered the robber’s mask and used DNA to identify Sanders as the suspect.
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Kevin Billups, 37, was arrested Saturday night at a bar in La Salle. He was wanted on a warrant from La Salle County for three counts of cocaine distribution. Billups was taken to the La Salle County Jail but has since been released. According to court records, he is accused of selling cocaine to drug informants on three separate occasions this past September. Billups has a criminal history that includes a 2019 conviction for cocaine dealing, which resulted in a 10-year prison sentence.
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Alfredo Cordova Che, a 28-year-old male from Peru, was arrested near the intersection of IL Route 251 and 38th Street in Peru. During a traffic stop, authorities charged him with multiple offenses, including driving with a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, illegal transportation of alcohol, improper use of registration, and driving without valid registration.
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Benjamin E. Durdan, a 40-year-old male from LaSalle, was arrested at the Illinois Valley PADS homeless shelter, located at 1320 Menards Drive in Peru, Illinois. Durdan was taken into custody on three LaSalle County warrants for failing to appear in court. Following his arrest, he was transported to the LaSalle County Jail and transferred to the custody of the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office.
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Jadon D. Langston, a 47-year-old male from Peru, was arrested on Friday, January 3, 2025, at 10:07 a.m. near the intersection of Bluff and Plum Streets in Peru. Langston faces charges for driving with a suspended or revoked license. Authorities have confirmed that the defendant has been formally charged with this offense.
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Barbara M. Atorthy, a 54-year-old resident of Seneca, was arrested near the intersection of 36th Street and North Peoria Street in Peru, Illinois. She was charged with speeding 26 to 34 miles per hour over the posted limit. Atorthy, who resides at 490 Logue Circle, was cited for the violation and taken into custody for the offense.
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Alexander T. Roach, a 28-year-old male from Peru, was arrested near the intersection of North 2551st Road and Illinois Route 251 in Peru. Roach was charged with driving with a suspended or revoked license and speeding, as confirmed by radar during a traffic stop. Following the arrest, Roach was released.
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Brandon R. Quick, a 29 from Peru, was arrested on charges of domestic battery and criminal property damage. Following his arrest, Quick was transported to the LaSalle County Jail.
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Anton L. Williams, a 37-year-old male from Sterling, was arrested at the Speedway Truck Stop located at 3151 May Rd, Per, Illinois. Williams faces charges of public indecency and retail theft. Following his arrest, he was released with a mandatory court appearance scheduled for January 23rd, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the LaSalle County Courthouse.
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WEATHER:
OBITUARIES:
Daniel Owen Jones, 83, of Tonica, passed away on January 3rd. A private memorial service will be held at Ottawa Funeral Home.
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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.
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Francis “Barney” Sesto, 90, of Ottawa, passed away on Sunday, January 5th, at Pleasant View. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. and the Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 9th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa. Interment will follow at the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum at Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Kathleen Elizabeth Schulz, age 73, of Ottawa, born in Springfield, Oregon, passed away on Thursday, January 2nd, A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9th, from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at noon at the funeral home. Private burial will follow in Oakwood Memorial Park.
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Donald L. Billings, 92, of Wedron, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 5th, at OSF St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota. A memorial visitation will take place on Friday, January 10th, from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Military Honors will be rendered by the Ottawa American Legion Post 33 at 3:00 pm at the funeral home.
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Lorraine (Sellers) Angell, 82, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, January 4th, at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. A Celebration of Life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, January 10th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
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LOCAL SPORTS:
Join us Tonight as we bring you High School Varsity Boys Basketball. As your Ottawa Pirates take on the Mendota Trojans, with a 7 pm tip-off from Kingman Gym with Hunter O’Dell on the call.
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Girls basketball
Roanoke-Benson 49, Marquette 45: At Roanoke
OTHS Freshman girl’s basketball team improved to 8-0 on the season and 3-0 in the conference, with a victory over Putnam County. The freshman take on Oak Forest on Wednesday.
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Boys basketball
Serena 57, Dwight 53: At the United Center in Chicago
Newark 77, Leland 49: At Leland
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Boys bowling
Mendota 3,204, Ottawa 3,098: At Mendota Elks Club
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PRO SPORTS:
The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up for their game against the Colorado Avalanche at the United Center tomorrow night. The Blackhawks are coming off a 6-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 28 points and a 13-25-and-2 record. They have the worst record in the NHL. Tomorrow’s game starts at 6:30 PM.
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The Bulls outscored the Spurs by 17 points in the fourth quarter en route to a come-from-behind win in the Windy City. Chicago defeated San Antonio 114-110 in an interconference matchup at the United Center. Zach LaVine led the charge with 35 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Nikola Vucevic chipped in a double-double of his own with 24 points and 11 boards, while Coby White had 23 points and four steals. The Bulls have won four of their last five to move to 17-and-19. Chicago visits Indiana tomorrow night.
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After a challenging season, the Chicago Bears hold eight selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with the 10th overall pick and two second-round picks at 39th and 41st. The Bears are continuing their search for a new head coach. ESPN reports that Chicago has requested to interview Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for its vacant head coaching position. McCarthy’s contract expires Wednesday, but Dallas holds exclusive negotiating rights with McCarthy through January 14th. Meanwhile, Johnson and Glenn are both enjoying a bye week and preparing their game plan for the NFC Divisional Round next weekend.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Illinois Fighting Illini are moving onward and upward. The Illini jumped up five spots in yesterday’s coaches poll, going from number 20 to number 15. Illinois crushed number 17 Oregon 109-77 last week, and they earned an 81-77 win against Washington as well. The Illini will host Penn State tomorrow night.
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In other college hoops action later this week, Notre Dame visits NC State tomorrow, while Northwestern goes up against number-14 Michigan State on Sunday. Tonight, UIC visits Missouri State, while Northern Illinois hosts Kent State.