“Streator in Pursuit of $650,000 Grant for Revitalization Project: City Council Meeting and Public Hearing Held”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Streator is in pursuit of a $650,000 grant aimed at revitalizing approximately 10 single-family, owner-occupied residences. Preceding the City Council meeting on December 20th, a public hearing was convened to deliberate on the city’s application for the Community Development Block Grant Housing Rehabilitation Grant, with Streator committing $20,000 to the initiative. This marks the city’s second attempt at securing the CDBG grant, having successfully obtained funding in 2021 for an ongoing project focusing on the rehabilitation of 10 single-family, owner-occupied homes within a specified geographical area. The current grant application extends its reach to residents within the city limits.

The North Central Illinois Council of Governments distributed 75 income surveys to residents in the project area, with 51 completed surveys received and 32 identified as income-eligible for rehabilitation assistance. In the event of grant approval, a subsequent public hearing will be organized, and residents will be required to apply for funding, irrespective of prior survey participation. Kevin Lindeman of NCICG emphasized the necessity of the surveys in compiling the city’s grant application.

In other news, Ottawa police apprehended 20-year-old Michael A. Boaz Jr. of Ottawa in connection with a November home invasion that involved gunfire. Boaz was taken into custody on a sealed warrant and appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court, facing two felony charges for home invasion with a firearm. Allegedly participating in a break-in on November 2nd at a Pine Street residence, Boaz is accused of threatening a female resident with a gun to disclose the combination to a locked safe. La Salle County Circuit Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia ordered Boaz’s detention, citing potential risks to the public, and scheduled his arraignment for January 25th, where he will be accompanied by a public defender. Boaz also faces an additional burglary charge for an October 9th break-in at a Grand Ridge tavern. Boaz is the second individual charged in the armed home invasion, with 20-year-old Fernando J. Martinez previously charged with discharging a firearm. The female resident reported gunfire during the break-in, involving her armed boyfriend exchanging shots with one intruder who later fled and was identified as Martinez. Boaz’s arrest adds another layer to the ongoing legal proceedings, with Martinez set for trial on January 29th and another individual, Kaylee Neitzel, facing charges of felony obstructing justice and awaiting a trial setting on January 11th for allegedly misleading the police investigation.

In another case, 53-year-old Harold L. Crank of Streator, whose jury trial was initially scheduled for Monday on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the accidental shooting death of his 26-year-old son, Logan, has had the trial rescheduled to April 1st. During a final pretrial conference in La Salle County Circuit Court, attorneys indicated ongoing negotiations, leading to Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. approving a continuance. Crank, currently out of custody, is expected to return for pre-trial proceedings on March 28th. The charges stem from an incident on August 5th, where Streator police responded to a reported shooting at Crank’s residence, revealing that an argument between Crank and his son escalated with a discharged 9-mm pistol shot, resulting in his son Logan’s Logan death.

In a joint effort between the Ottawa and Streator Police Departments, along with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, 56-year-old Stephen Trapp of Streator was arrested for his involvement in child pornography. Trapp now faces two charges of possession of child pornography. Trapp is in the La Salle County Jail with an appearance before a judge scheduled for today.

In other news, the Illinois State Police won’t pursue charges against Illinois residents who didn’t register their assault weapons by the January 1st deadline. The ISP says the FOID Portal will remain open and people can submit endorsement affidavits at any time. Residents who fail to register assault weapons could face felony charges. More than 29-thousand residents have registered their assault weapons. Additionally, the ISP is launching a campaign designed to reduce incidents involving road rage. The “Road Rage, Don’t Engage” campaign aims to raise awareness about an increase in road rage incidents leading to violence. It will also educate the public on the signs of road rage and tips on how to prevent and handle these situations.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning of phone scammers using Artificial Intelligence to mimic the voices of loved ones. Scammers are using AI technology to clone voices through videos posted to social media accounts. The scammer will then convince the victims to send a payment or share personal information. If a caller’s identity is uncertain, Raoul advises hanging up and calling the person back on a number confirmed to be theirs.

In political news, presidential candidates are filing to appear on the March 19th Illinois primary ballot. Representatives for Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican challengers filed petitions yesterday. The Republican challengers include former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and former United Nations ambassador Nikki Haley. The filing by the Biden campaign with the Illinois State Board of Elections is a formality since he isn’t expected to face a major Democratic challenger in the state. Meanwhile, a group of five Illinois voters are trying to remove former President Donald Trump’s name from Illinois’ primary election ballot. “Free Speech for People” filed a formal objection that could prevent Illinois residents from casting a vote for Trump in the March primary. The group believes Trump violated the constitution for his actions during the riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. The Illinois State Board of Elections is expected to meet later this month to decide if Trump remains on the ballot.

In local news, 51-year-old Dion Chalus of Ottawa was stopped by Ottawa Police Wednesday at Columbus and Deleon Streets and charged with driving on a suspended license. LaSalle County Deputies also had several traffic stops in the early hours of Wednesday. 27-year-old Morgan McKenzie of Streator was clocked at 76 miles an hour in a 55 zone near Illinois 18 and East 1st Road in Hope Township. A LaMoille man, 20-year-old Aiden Bertalot was cited for speeding 71 in a 55 zone near Illinois 251 and North 18th Road, and 31-year-old Justin Ott of Elgin was clocked doing 60 in a 35 zone near East Norris Drive and Champlain Street in Rutland Township.

In weather news, Friday will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Calm wind becoming south-southeast around 5 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 10 mph. Friday night, there is a 50 percent chance of snow after midnight. Cloudy, with a low of around 29. East wind around 5 mph, with gusts as high as 10 mph.

In obituary news, Andrew “Jay” Ruger, 55, of Ottawa, passed away Saturday, December 30th, at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center after a 5-year battle with cancer. Visitation will be today, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 5:00 pm. Cremation rites will be accorded following the service.

James Paul “Murph” Murphy, Sr., 79, of Ottawa, passed away on Wednesday, December 20th, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 6th, from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 3:00 pm at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.

Betty Warren, 84, formerly of Seneca, passed away Tuesday, January 2nd, at OSF St. Claire Medical Center in Princeton. Visitation will be on Monday, January 8th, from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will follow at 6:00 pm with Pastor Kris Zierke officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded.

Carol (Tunnacliffe) Underhill, 88, of Ottawa, passed away on Tuesday, January 2nd, at home, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9th, at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ottawa. Burial will follow at Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9th, at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.

Margaret Gaffney, 97, of Ottawa, passed away Sunday, December 24th, at The Pavilion of Ottawa. Visitation will be on Saturday, January 13th, from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony will take place at noon at the funeral home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Ottawa Funeral Home.

In local sports, the next live sports broadcast will be the Ottawa Pirates boys’ Basketball team taking on the LP Cavs at Sellett Gym tonight at 7 pm. Bryer Lehr and David Bergeson are on the call, with Tony on the camera..