Winter Storm Warning Issued for LaSalle County

Snow is headed our way this weekend, and a decent amount may be falling.

The National Weather Service out of Chicago has issued a Winter Storm Warning beginning at 3:00 this afternoon and expiring at midnight Sunday night. The advisory, issued for LaSalle and Grundy Counties, calls for between 5 and 9 inches of snow north of Interstate 80, with 3-6 inches south of I-80.

A Winter Weather Advisory for Bureau and Putnam Counties runs from 6:00 tonight until 6:00 tomorrow. That advisory, issued by the National Weather Service out of the Quad Cities, calls for 2 to 4 inches over the weekend.

Any snow that falls over the weekend isn’t likely to go anywhere, either. High temperatures for next week will be in the low teens, with overnight lows in the single digits.

Mendota Police Issue Reminder about Snow Parking Ban ahead of Winter Weather

With snow in the forecast for the weekend, it’s important to know how that impacts your parking possibilities.

The Mendota Police Department put out a statement, reminding you of the city’s snow parking ban. They say that any vehicle parked along the street after more than 2 inches of snow has fallen is in violation of their ordinance and will be ticketed.

They say the reason for this is that plows need to be able to safely and efficiently clean the streets. They recommend you avoid parking on City streets during the projected snow.

According to the National Weather Service, between 4 and 6 inches of snow are possible in some parts of the Illinois Valley between tomorrow afternoon and Monday.

First “Chris Kringle Market” Kicks Off Saturday in Ottawa

It’s crazy how things can change from year to year.  Last year there was no Ice Odyssey in Ottawa because it was too warm.  That won’t be a problem today.

Live ice sculpting is part of a larger two-day celebration now called the “Chris Kringle Market.”  In and around Washington Park Saturday will be a farmer’s market, a Chris Kringle Market, horse drawn carriage rides, the live ice sculpting and Santa hanging out for a couple hours.

The market, Santa and carriage rides’ close things out on Sunday.  Hours for the “Chris Kringle Market” are 10 until 9 on today and 11 until 6 tomorrow.

Trial for Man Accused of Trying to Hire Hitman Moved to January

A homeless man with ties to Peru and LaMoille won’t be on trial Monday in his murder-for-hire case as planned.

Cody Smith was in court yesterday for what was supposed to be his final pre-trial hearing. However, Smith’s lawyer asked that the trial once again be postponed. He is accused of trying to have 3 witnesses to a sexual assault he allegedly committed killed.

Judge Cynthia Raccuglia agreed, allowing Monday’s trial date to be pushed back to January 23^rd. If convicted, Smith is looking at possibly more than 100 years in prison which would have to be served because the nature of the crimes does not allow time off for good behavior.

Smith is still in custody, where he would need to come up with $220,000 to be released. He’s due back in court next on January 13^th.

Winter Weather Advisories Issued for Illinois Valley

Snow is headed our way this weekend, and a decent amount may be falling.

The National Weather Service out of Chicago has issued a Winter Weather Advisory beginning at 3:00 this afternoon and expiring at 6:00 tomorrow evening. The advisory, issued for LaSalle and Grundy Counties, calls for between 3 and 6 inches of snow to fall today and tomorrow.

Another advisory for Bureau and Putnam Counties runs from 6:00 tonight until 6:00 tomorrow. That advisory, issued by the National Weather Service out of the Quad Cities, calls for 2 to 4 inches over the weekend.

Any snow that falls over the weekend isn’t likely to go anywhere, either. High temperatures for next week will be in the low teens, with overnight lows in the single digits.

Fire Department Boat on Agenda at Special City Council Meeting Monday

With this recent winter weather, you’re probably not thinking much about boating. But that will be one of a few topics covered at an upcoming special city council meeting.

The Ottawa City Council is planning to have a special meeting next week, their second in three weeks. At the meeting, they plan to discuss the South Side Fire Station, as well as the department’s boat.

Neither of those topics was on the agenda for the most recent council meeting, which took place Tuesday. The special meeting will be held Monday at 6:00 at City Hall.