The LaSalle County Recorder is warning about a misleading scam involving “Post Card” notices labeled “Important Notice: Immediate Response Needed.” The notices reference mortgage and related documents, but the Recorder’s office stresses the notices are not from the Recorder’s office but from a private company asking for personal mortgage information. To protect yourself, sign up for the Recorder’s free Property Fraud Alert Service, which provides real-time monitoring of documents recorded in your name. For details, call 815-434-8226 or visit lasallecountyil.gov and click on Property Fraud Alert System.
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Former Ottawa Mayor Robert Eschbach will join Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for a virtual discussion on municipal leadership and community involvement at 10 a.m. Friday, March 14. Eschbach, who served as mayor from 1999 to 2019, will share insights from his two decades in public service and community development in a conversation with Institute Director John Shaw. Attendees can submit questions during registration or by emailing paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu. For details and to register, visit paulsimoninstitute.org/events.
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The 2025 Illinois spring trout fishing season opens Saturday, April 5, at nearly 60 ponds, lakes, and streams statewide. Select locations, including Lock 14 on the I&M Canal in La Salle, Lake Mendota, and Hennepin Canal Parkway in Starved Rock Country, will offer a catch-and-release period starting March 22nd. During this time, no trout may be kept, but anglers can keep up to five trout per day once the regular season begins. Each spring, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources stocks over 80,000 rainbow trout, with another 80,000 released for the fall season in October. Fishing licenses and trout stamps are available for purchase online.
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The LaSalle County Health Department is issuing a reminder that World TB Day is Monday, March 24th. This marks the 143rd anniversary of Robert Koch’s discovery of the tuberculosis bacillus, a breakthrough that helped fight a disease once responsible for one in seven deaths in Europe and the U.S. Despite medical advances, TB remains a serious health threat, with more than 3,400 people dying and nearly 30,000 falling ill each day. The 2025 theme, Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver, highlights the ongoing fight to eliminate TB. For information or testing visit www.lasallecountyil.gov.
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Illinois Valley Community College donated youth T-shirts to OSF HealthCare Foundation for Faith’s Closet, which provides essential clothing to patients in need. After learning about the initiative through the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, IVCC offered surplus T-shirts from its summer camps. These shirts will be given to children in OSF emergency departments, supporting Faith’s Closet’s mission to help patients feel cared for.
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Illinois’ unemployment rate is stable. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s jobless rate was unchanged at four-point-nine percent in January. Non-farm payroll jobs were down slightly by 11 hundred. Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 36 thousand.
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Illinois lawmakers are considering a mileage tax on drivers to help maintain state infrastructure. The Sun-Times reports new proposed legislation would create a pilot program to explore the viability of establishing a “road usage charge.” The proposal is designed to offset a decrease in motor fuel tax funding as more and more electric vehicles hit the roads in Illinois. Oregon and Utah have already implemented similar programs.
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Snoop Dogg is bringing his act to the Illinois State Fair this summer. The rap superstar will perform at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Wednesday, August 13th. Along with being a rapper, Snoop is an actor, record producer, DJ, media personality, businessman, and icon. The 2025 Illinois State Fair is being held August 7th through the 17th in Springfield.
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Mendota Police arrested 35-year-old Meghan A. Richards of Mendota Tuesday at 8th Street and 4th Avenue on a charge of driving on a suspended license. She was released with a notice to appear in court.
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A Mendota man is in the LaSalle County Jail after an arrest Wednesday. 39-year-old Victor R. Escamilla was picked up in the 100 block of 2nd Avenue on a LaSalle County failure to appear warrant on a charge of driving on a revoked license.
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WEATHER:
Today
Sunny, with a high near 68. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 49. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
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OBITUARIES:
None at this time
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LOCAL SPORTS:
An Illinois House committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would let high school athletes play on both school teams and nonschool teams in the same sport at the same time. House Bill 3037, called the “Right to Play Act,” would override current Illinois High School Association rules that prohibit athletes from joining nonschool teams during their school sports season. Supporters say it expands opportunities for students, while critics warn it could lead to conflicts between coaches and raise safety concerns.
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PRO SPORTS:
Travis Jankowski is taking his talents to the other side of Chicago. The former Cubs outfielder opted out of his deal with the Northsiders yesterday. He signed a minor league deal with the White Sox later in the day. Jankowski played for the Rangers last year. He hit .200 with one home run and 12 RBI in 104 games in 2024. In other Sox news, the Southsiders tied the Angels 1-1 in Spring Training yesterday.
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The Chicago Bulls go for their fourth win in a row when they host the Brooklyn Nets at United Center tonight. The Bulls just beat the Indiana Pacers 121-103 at home on Monday. Chicago is in tenth place in the Eastern Conference at 27-and-38. Tonight’s game gets underway at 7:00 PM.
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The Chicago Blackhawks aim to avoid a third straight loss when they visit the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center this evening. The Hawks are coming off a 3-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on the road on Monday. Chicago is in last place in the Central Division with 49 points and a 20-36-and-9 record. The Sharks are the only NHL team with fewer points than the Blackhawks. Tonight’s game starts at 9:30 PM.
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COLLEGE SPORTS:
The Northwestern Wildcats are moving on in the Big Ten Tournament following a 72-64 win over the Minnesota Gophers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse yesterday. The Wildcats led by just two early in the second half before going on a 10-0 run to take control of the contest. Nick Martinelli poured in 28 points in the win, while Ty Berry finished with 14. Northwestern goes up against number-14 Wisconsin in the next round of the tournament this afternoon.
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The number-25 Illinois Fighting Illini begin their Big Ten Tournament run with a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse this evening. The Illini went 20-and-11 overall and 12-and-8 in conference play during the regular season. One of Illinois’ wins was an 81-61 rout over the Hawkeyes at home on February 25th. Tonight’s game tips off at 5:30 PM.
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In the Big East Tournament yesterday, DePaul beat Georgetown 71-67. The Blue Demons take on Creighton at 6:00 PM tonight. In the A-10 Tournament, Loyola plays either Saint Louis or Davidson tomorrow.