A stolen gun and some brass knuckles turned up when Ottawa police stopped a car at Marquette and Chestnut streets early Friday. Nineteen year old Mariano M. Verucchi is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and resisting a peace officer. Police say Verucchi tried to flee from the scene. He…… Read more »
Author Archives: Rick Koshko
Jim Lamb, 76
James “Jim” Lamb 1944 – 2021 James Lamb, 76, passed away on Wednesday, February 24, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 on Tuesday, March 2, at Mueller Funeral Home, in Ottawa with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church. Burial will be…… Read more »
Rep. Welter says controversial criminal justice changes can be undone before they take effect
Different parts of Illinois’ new criminal justice law take effect on different dates over the next few years. St. Rep. David Welter says that gives people time to campaign for changes to the parts they don’t like. Welter hopes trailer bills, follow-ups to legislation meant to “clean up” or clarify things, can be passed. But…… Read more »
Coronavirus fatality count up to 278 in LaSalle County
A LaSalle County woman in her 90’s has succumbed to the coronavirus, according to the county health department’s daily report. Her case is the 278th from the county to be fatal. The department’s figures show 2,213 currently known active cases. That number is going down as recoveries outnumber cases every day.… Read more »
Cong. Kinzinger explains vote on Equality Act
Cong. Adam Kinzinger says without question we need to protect LGBTQ Americans. But he says the Equality Act didn’t include protections included in the decades old Hyde Amendment, so he voted against it. That prevents federal money from being spent on abortion in most cases. Kinzinger says the Equality Act was done entirely without House…… Read more »
Sen. Durbin says the country needs the coronavirus stimulus package
Congress could pass Pres. Biden’s coronavirus stimulus bill today. Sen. Dick Durbin says the country needs it. One of the well known provisions is for $1,400 payments to Americans whose incomes are below a certain threshold. It also contains $4 billion for drug addiction counseling. Durbin says we need to break the pandemic’s back so…… Read more »
Recoveries continue to outnumber new coronavirus cases
The LaSalle County Health Department reported another COVID-19 related death yesterday. A man in his 70’s is fatal case number 277. The department reported it was another day of recoveries outnumbering new cases. After 10,812 cases altogether so far and 8,542 recoveries, there are currently 2,270 known active cases in the county.… Read more »
Patsy Ward, 79
Patsy D. Ward, 79 of Belvidere passed away Sunday February 21, 2021 at the Javon Bea Hospital in Rockford, IL. Private family services will be held Friday at 2 PM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home with burial in Riverview Cemetery, Streator. Patsy was born on April 5, 1941 in Burnt Prairie to Carl and Clara…… Read more »
Ila Vossberg, 82
Ila A. Vossberg, 82 of Streator passed away Tuesday February 23, 2021 at the Lakeside Rehab & Healthcare in East Peoria. Following cremation, services will be held at a later date. The Winterrowd Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Ila was born on July 11, 1939 in Wilmar, MN to Christian and Beatrice (Bomstad)…… Read more »
Judge denies request to toss 2017 involuntary manslaughter case for alleged mishandling
Forty-six year old Mason Shannon of Iowa still faces an involuntary manslaughter charge in the 2017 death of 32-year old Michael Castelli. Shannon’s accused of putting the Ottawa man in a chokehold far beyond what was necessary to defend himself in a struggle northeast of Ottawa. Since Judge H. Chris Ryan found Shannon guilty in…… Read more »
