21-Year-Old Arpankumar Patel of Ottawa Killed in Accident Involving Deer

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Tragedy struck on Illinois Route 71 just north of Norway when 21-year-old Arpankumar Patel of Ottawa was killed in an accident. Patel’s northbound vehicle struck a deer, causing the roof of the vehicle to be completely removed. Two additional passengers, identified as Nitinkumar Patel and Harsh Patel, were also in the vehicle and were taken to Morris Hospital for treatment.

The accident occurred shortly after the deer was hit by a southbound vehicle. The collision resulted in the death of Arpankumar Patel, while the two other passengers sustained injuries. The exact details of their injuries and their current condition have not been released.

In other news, a brand-new building is being constructed at 200 West Main Street in Ottawa. The building, located between Perfect Moments Event Shoppe Bakery and Ottawa Office Supply, is part of the city’s efforts to revitalize the downtown area. Mayor Robert Hasty stated that the first order of business was to sort out the downtown TIF fund, which helps finance construction. The city recently agreed to restructure the three-year-old downtown TIF agreement and extend it for another 10 years. The building’s first floor will be used for retail, while the second floor will serve as the owner’s residence.

In crime news, on November 2nd, Ottawa police received multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots fired in the 1100 block of Pine Street. Police secured the area and discovered that individuals had forced their way into a house, resulting in gunfire being exchanged with one of the suspects. One suspect was later found being treated for gunshot wounds at Morris Hospital and was identified as 22-year-old Fernando J Martinez. Ottawa police collected evidence and reported their findings to the La Salle County State’s Attorney’s office. Martinez was arrested on November 13th and has been charged with home invasion and unlawful possession of a weapon.

The La Salle Police Department has also been dealing with a string of vehicle thefts and burglaries in recent weeks. The department is urging residents to secure their vehicles and take precautions to prevent these crimes. Some simple steps residents can take include locking their doors, removing keys from the vehicle, parking in well-lit areas, and leaving a tracking device in the vehicle.

Emergency medical services (EMS) teams from Utica, Naplate, and Grand Ridge responded to an urgent call at the Ottawa Barge Terminal. An individual had fallen off a barge and was found in the water near Dee Bennett Road. Reports suggest that the man hit his head before falling into the water and was unable to swim. An unidentified man jumped into the river to rescue the victim before emergency services arrived. An official press release regarding the incident is still pending.

In preparation for the Christmas season, 16 large paintings depicting the life of Jesus Christ will be displayed in Ottawa’s Washington Square Park. These paintings, created in 1956 by the Ottawa Retail Merchants’ Association, aim to keep Christ in Christmas. Each painting is accompanied by a Scripture verse. The Ottawa Freedom Association has been responsible for erecting the paintings each year since 1992.

The City of Ottawa is calling on its residents to participate in a survey that will help the city apply for the Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Program. This program aims to improve housing conditions in low-to-moderate-income communities by offering eligible households grants for property improvements, rehabilitation, and retrofitting.

In other news, the City of Ottawa is announcing that Veterans Banners displayed this year may be picked up by the applicants or their appointees. The banners can be collected at City Hall Council Chambers on Thursday, November 30th.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend to minimize travel disruption.

In local sports news, boys basketball teams from Serena, Newark, Somonauk, Seneca, and Yorkville have all been competing in various tournaments. The Newark Norsemen picked up their first victory of the season, while the Seneca Fighting Irish improved to 2-0. The La Salle-Peru boys wrestling team also had a successful start to the season, going 1-1 in a triangular meet.

Lastly, two obituaries were announced for Thomas G. Williams and Carol Ann Cook, both of whom passed away recently. Funeral services and visitation details were provided for each individual..