Ottawa leaders looking into downtown noise

Is there a point where live music and entertainment may actually keep some people out of a city? The Ottawa City Council looked into that very question at a workshop Thursday morning.

Part of the boom in downtown Ottawa has come from businesses building loft apartments on the second floor of their buildings, while keeping the business itself on the first floor. However, music from bars and other live music over the summer led to the council hearing an increasing number of complaints about noise in recent weeks.

The complaints have led the council to look into ways to minimize the effect of what they’re calling “downtown amplified sound” on people who live in the area. The idea is in the early stages and no specific plan is being considered currently.

Longtime retailer named Grand Marshal of Mendota parade

The Grand Marshal of this year’s Mendota Sweet Corn Festival Parade was a clothing store operator for many years.

Mitch Kaleel opened Kaleel’s Mens Wear on Illinois Avenue in Mendota in 1962. He got interested in retail from his father. Kaleel’s at one point had 95% of its stock made in America. Mitch closed his store and retired in 1995. The building is now Pro Care Home Health Services.

The 87-year-old Kaleel will preside over the Sweet Corn Festival Parade on Sunday, August 14th.

Semi driver okay after crashing on Interstate 80 near Utica

The latest trouble on Interstate 80 near Utica involved a semi getting caught up in the median.

A call went out to state police just after 7 Saturday morning about a semi tangled up in the median wiring. The crash immediately started affecting westbound traffic.

The semi driver wasn’t hurt.

Governor signs off on marijuana “decriminalization” law

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Despite no votes from State Senator Sue Rezin and State Representative Andy Skoog, Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation that makes marijuana possession in small amounts punishable only with fines and no jail time.

The new law means possessing 10 grams or less of marijuana will be punishable with a fine of up to $200. The governor’s signature makes Illinois the 17th state to treat possession of marijuana in small amounts as a civil offense rather than a criminal one.

Rauner signed the so-called marijuana “decriminalization” law on Friday.