Ottawa High wins Student Section Showdown

Ottawa Township High School “SuperFans” won the 2016 IHSA Student Section Showdown in Class 3A/4A. That word was tweeted by Athletic Director, Michael Cooper. A video of the student section in action was submitted on YouTube February 2nd, according to math instructor Dan Le. 6 student representatives were on hand to hear the announcement and accept their award.

Illinois Valley Doctor Killed in Crash by Allegedly Impaired Driver

A man killed in a crash on Route 17 had spent years as a doctor in the Illinois Valley.

Doctor Riyaz Nomani was killed Wednesday evening in a crash involving an allegedly impaired driver. The woman driving the other car, 53-year old Denise Woodring, has been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated DUI, and DUI of drugs. Woodring was taken to the Livingston County Jail.

Nomani had joined OSF Healthcare’s “HeartCare Midwest” team in Streator as a cardiologist in January, according to a release from OSF. Nomani is survived by his wife and 3 children.

Ottawa pair accused of dealing cocaine near a park

A city park is supposed to be a place to relax or play around, not deal drugs.

Twenty-seven-year-old Jeremie Work and 45-year-old Candy Krueger of Ottawa were arrested yesterday for allegedly dealing cocaine in the area of Ottawa’s Rigden Park. Both were taken to the La Salle County Jail.

Because they’re accused of selling drugs near a park, eventual sentences for Work or Krueger could be doubled.

Skoog responds to Long accusations

You didn’t expect State Representative Andy Skoog to just sit back and take it from challenger Jerry Long did you?

The Democrat Skoog has responded to the Republican Long’s statements of Skoog being on “Mike Madigan’s leash” and of being compared to a “chaff of wheat blowing in the wind, not having a true compass”. Skoog says “it’s unfortunate that Mr. Long couldn’t go 48 hours without beginning his negative campaign”. The Democrat goes on to say “my time is better spent listening to the concerns of my constituents”.

Skoog will try to win his first full term as 76th District State Representative in the November election against Long.

Veterans Affairs Director to tour La Salle Vet’s home next week

The head of veterans affairs in Illinois is making a stop in La Salle.

Veterans Affairs Director Erica Jeffries along with State Senator Sue Rezin will tour the home starting at 1. After the tour they will have a private meeting with veterans groups.

Rezin and the rest of the state senate are on Easter Break until April 5th.

Peru teenager hurt in early morning crash

A rollover on the north side of Peru landed a 17-year-old girl in a Peoria hospital.

Police and paramedics rushed out to Unytite Drive near James Hardie just before 1:30 Thursday morning.  Hope Schwartz of Peru rolled her car.  She was taken to Illinois Valley Community Hospital in Peru before being flown to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.  She’s listed in good condition.

Schwartz was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane usage.

Fishermen descend on the Illinois River

Spring Valley and the entire Illinois Valley could be in for an economic boost this weekend.

The annual Cabela’s Masters Walleye Circuit stop in Spring Valley started Friday and continues into Saturday. Teams of two are competing for thousands of dollars. Last year’s winning team took home nearly $18,000.

This is the first tournament of the Walleye Circuit in 2016. The Spring Valley Boat Club is the launch and weigh-in site.

Gas prices vary in the Illinois Valley

Filling up in Peru or La Salle will cost less than it did a week ago.

Many stations dropped their price of gas by a dime overnight to under a $1.80 a gallon. Elsewhere prices have remained steady or even went up a little from last week. Some Ottawa stations are now charging over two dollars a gallon.

The statewide average for unleaded is $2.05, up seven cents from last week.