LaSalle Police Lt. Michael Smudzinski will take over as Chief of Police in just a few days. He’s been with the LaSalle Police Department for nearly 23-years and has been in investigations for about 16-years. Smudzinski got into police work after his brother did an internship with Peru police. He says investigative work intrigued him.…… Read more »
Author Archives: Ethan Kruger
Labor of Love home repair to look different his year
The United Way of Eastern LaSalle County’s Labor of Love Home Repair will look different this year because of pandemic restrictions. Even so, United Way Executive Director Shelli Ocepek says taking care of neighbors is even more important now because of the pandemic. There will be changes in how the big work day on October…… Read more »
Mary E. “Betty” Burke, 93
Mary E. “Betty” Burke, 93, of Ottawa, IL, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Ottawa Pavilion. Private family services will be held. She will be buried at St. Columba Cemetery. Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation rites. Betty was born November 12, 1926, in Ottawa, to Daniel T. and Mary…… Read more »
Time again for Labor of Love applications
The United Way of Eastern LaSalle County is taking applications for the annual Labor of Love Home Repair program. Executive Director Shelli Ocepek says the pandemic has changed how things will be done, but the core mission is the still the same. Anyone interested in applying should call the United Way office at 815-434-4003. The…… Read more »
Illinois adds 1,018 COVID-19 cases – the biggest increase in several weeks
The LaSalle County Health Department says the COVID-19 case count has risen by five. The total is now at 242. There were four new recoveries reported for a total of 179. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 1,018 new cases – the highest increase in recent weeks, and 20 new deaths. State totals are…… Read more »
Ottawa Police Chief thinks armed police will always be needed
Ottawa Police Chief Brent Roalson isn’t against seeing more training for police officers in social work. He doesn’t think there will ever be a time when police aren’t needed on the streets. Roalson isn’t for requiring officers to have a four-year degree. He says police training is constantly changing to help officers better respond to…… Read more »
Many questions still remain about returning to school in the fall
The Ottawa Grade School Board has more questions than answers after guidelines for returning to in-person instruction were released a few weeks ago. Supt. Cleve Threadgill told the board of education during a special meeting Wednesday that a team consisting of board members, administrators, social workers, and others will start working out the details. Masks…… Read more »
Daughter of man found dead in LaSalle in 2018 says he was lynched; LaSalle Police Department confident death was suicide
An investigation into the death of a 40-year-old black man from Riverdale in 2018 near the 101 Supper Club in LaSalle ruled it a suicide by hanging. William Young’s daughter thinks her father was lynched and has started an online petition to have the case looked at again. The daughter requested that her name be…… Read more »
Thomas Massey, 72
Thomas Massey, 72, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at the home of his daughter in Ottawa, surrounded by his family. Graveside Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 13, at Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa with the Rev. Gary Castor, of the Ottawa Catholic Parishes, officiating. Full Military Rites will…… Read more »
980 new COVID-19 cases announced in Illinois; three in LaSalle County
The LaSalle County Health Department added three new COVID-19 cases to its count on Wednesday. The county has had 237 cases and 175 recoveries. Five new recoveries were announced Wednesday. Illinois is up to 149,432 cases and 7,099 deaths. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 980 new cases and 36 more deaths.… Read more »
