WCMY News for 8/9/24 | The Voice of LaSalle County since 1952!

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has approved OSF HealthCare’s $5.59 million plan to expand St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Peru. The approval allows OSF to add seven surgical beds and four intensive care beds, with completion expected by the end of 2025. The decision marks a significant step in OSF’s regional healthcare model, focusing on sustaining medical care for future generations. Meanwhile, OSF’s proposed $139 million hospital in Ottawa faces delays, with ongoing community opposition over plans to reduce beds and eliminate the intensive care unit. The board will revisit the Ottawa project in September, with potential modifications extending discussions into 2025.

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La Salle County sheriff’s deputies will soon be equipped with 35 new dash cameras, thanks to a $506,277 contract approved by the La Salle County Board with Axon, Inc. The new Technology will not only enhance video recording during traffic stops but also feature automatic license plate recognition, alerting officers to tag numbers linked to wanted subjects, missing persons, or other emergencies.

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In La Salle County, overdose rates are on track to decline by nearly 11% this year, prompting a call to action from local activists to further address the issue. The La Salle County Board recently endorsed Drug Overdose Awareness Week, set for August 25th-31st, through a unanimous resolution. According to the coroner, the county has recorded 10 overdose deaths in 2024 so far, suggesting a potential decrease from last year’s total of 19 fatalities.

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A new online fundraiser aims to make an LGBTQ+ Community Center in Ottawa a reality, with a GoFundMe campaign targeting $500,000 for the project. Spearheaded by Dylan Conmy, founder of the Ottawa Family Pride Fund, the initiative addresses the pressing need for resources among older teens and adults in the LGBTQ+ community. A site has already been selected, offering over 17 acres for a comprehensive facility that will include event space, a gym, a library, meeting rooms, an auditorium, an emergency shelter, and outdoor programs. Supporters can also contribute through the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation.

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Two years ago, Utica officials applied for a grant to lay sidewalks from Johnson Street to the police department, but the request was denied. On Thursday, the Utica Village Board held a public hearing to reapply for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Grant, casting a series of unanimous votes to pursue the funds once more. The proposed project, with a total cost of approximately $2.6 million, aims to provide safe passage for the 3,200 vehicles and thousands of tourists that travel the area daily. If successful, the village would cover about $900,000 of the cost.

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Streator Fest wrapped up Sunday with record-breaking attendance, marking its most successful year yet. The four-day festival, held at Northpoint Plaza, drew over 20,000 visitors and featured a variety of musical performances and a popular carnival. Attendees praised the event, particularly the new layout, which relocated the stage to the south end of the lawn. Organized by an all-volunteer committee, Streator Fest uses funds raised throughout the year to support the following year’s event.

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The 2024 Illinois State Fair is underway. Governor Pritzker cut the ribbon yesterday to kick off the fair in Springfield. Keith Urban is set to perform tonight. Other performers include Motley Crue, the Jonas Brothers, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Miranda Lambert. The fair runs through August 18th.

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A former state revenue auditor is charged with Paycheck Protection Program fraud. The Illinois attorney general’s office says Shepale Hicks of Monee faces numerous charges in a sweeping investigation targeting PPP fraud. She already He pleaded not guilty to multiple charges handed down last month, including money laundering, financial institution fraud, wire fraud, and forgery. Authorities say Hicks was employed as a revenue auditor for the state Department of Revenue when she applied for two pandemic-era PPP business loans. She claimed she owned two businesses that did not exist and received payments totaling more than 41-thousand-dollars.

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The Knox County Health Department is confirming the first bird to test positive for West Nile Virus in Knox County by 2024. A dead bird turned into the health department tested positive for West Nile Virus Tuesday. The Knox County Health Department will continue testing for the virus throughout the county.

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An autopsy is scheduled today for the man killed in an accident at the Caterpillar Peoria Proving Ground in rural Washington. The incident happened Wednesday night. The victim was identified as a Michigan man. The case remains under investigation.

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One man is dead and another is wounded following a shooting in Morris. Authorities say both victims were found shot yesterday at Canal Port Plaza. One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was taken to the hospital. A weapon was recovered at the scene. Investigators believe the shooting was a domestic incident.

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34-year-old Streator resident, Jeremy Seroka, was sentenced last Friday to three years in prison for dealing cocaine and an additional two years for forgery, according to court records. Seroka had previously pleaded guilty to the criminal charges earlier this year. The crimes, which were both committed last year, resulted in a combined prison sentence of five years. Following the completion of his prison term, Seroka will be placed on mandatory supervised release for one year, a form of probation that will closely monitor his activities as he reintegrates into the community.

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WEATHER:

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 54. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 75. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with tastes as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 54. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light west in the evening. Winds could like as high as 15 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 77.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 55.

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OBITUARIES:

Evelyn Jakubek Zabawa, formerly of Ottawa, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, July 23rd. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 10that Ottawa Funeral Home. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 10th, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Burial will follow at Ottawa Cemetery.

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SPORTS:

The Cubs and White Sox renew the Crosstown Classic once again when the two teams meet for a two-game set that begins tonight at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Cubs are coming off a series win over the Minnesota Twins earlier this week and are in fourth place in the NL Central at 57-and-60. The White Sox dropped their series with the A’s, but they snapped a 21-game losing streak in the process. The Southsiders are in last place in the AL Central at 28-and-89. Jameson Taillon takes the mound for the Cubs, while Garrett Crochet goes for the Sox. The first pitch is at 7:10 PM.

The White Sox are making several coaching staff moves after firing manager Pedro Grifol. The team named Grady Sizemore yesterday as the interim manager. He was hired this year to the Sox coaching staff.

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The Chicago Bears continue preseason with a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium tomorrow. Number-one overall pick Caleb Williams is expected to make his preseason debut after missing out on Chicago’s 21-17 win over the Texans in the Hall of Fame game last week. Tomorrow’s game kicks off at noon.