Michael Urbanec

Morris Herald-News editor. Retweets are not endorsements. @michaelurbanec for stupid jokes, puns and bad sports takes. Northern Star & Top Shelf Sports alum.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

I propose Busch change his last name to Old Style.

[Jeff Passan @JeffPassan]

Full trade: The Chicago Cubs are acquiring third baseman Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a pair of toolsy teenaged prospects, left-handed starter Jackson Ferris and outfielder Zyhir Hope, sources tell ESPN.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

750,000 pounds is now officially a Carp Ton.

[The Times - Shaw Local @MyWebTimes]

Roughly 750,000 pounds of silver carp were removed between Nov. 27 and Dec. 6 in the Starved Rock pool of the Illinois River, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. https://t.co/uIXpCA5OHa

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

Morris Community High School passed on deciding its new mascot last night, deciding the names that students and staff voted on didn't have enough public support. I, for one, think they should rebrand to the Isotopes. The school's in between like, four nuclear power plants.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

Bad Year performs at fForest Fest in Goold Park, Morris. It might be hot out but it’s cool under the trees.

[NWS Chicago @NWSChicago]

Flash Flood Warning continues for Joliet IL, Kankakee IL and New Lenox IL until 12:15 AM CDT

[NWS Chicago @NWSChicago]

A special weather statement has been issued for Morris IL, Channahon IL and Minooka IL until 8:30 PM CDT

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

Ottawa High School has 3 seats open and two incumbents. Right now, incumbents Sarah Makeever-Shumway (3,231 votes) and John Levy (2,964 votes) lead with Marseilles Elementary Principal Shawn Collins (2,027 votes) in third. Joshua Mammen has 1,748 votes. Again, 73% votes counted.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

I know Eric Ganiere ran as a write-in candidate, but his name won't appear on the unofficial election results. I can't know who the fifth seat goes to until I'm able to see write-in candidates.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

As for Ottawa Elementary, it's a contested race in name only: Stephen Omolecki is moving out of the district soon, and didn't realize he would be when he applied to run. This means the board, as voted right now, will be Mary Ganiere, Brenden Donahue, Lori Kimes and Sean Conley.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

73% of votes counted, its Hasty over Aussem, 1,773 votes to 1,213, and Eichelkraut/Ganiere/Pearson/Barron in that order. Less is a little over 200 votes lower than Barron.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

The Bulls broadcast just played the video of Cooper Thorson's gamewinning shot from yesterday, and Stacey King offered to send him hot sauce.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

https://t.co/ZeJSY1pVtS
I don't know if it'll ever make it into print just how important Obee's was to the newsroom in Ottawa long before I was ever part of it.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

Oh, here's something I should've mentioned up higher: Part of the program requires it to take place in a targeted area. For Ottawa, the homes eligible are east of Columbus Street and south of Marquette Street. The CSX tracks are the official boundary after Guion St.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

The City of Ottawa (Illinois, sorry Canadians) is hosting it's informational public hearing at 6:45 p.m. today on a Community Development Block Grant it received. This grant provides the city $550,000 to rehabilitate qualifying homes.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

I covered it in Streator a few years ago and this is Ottawa's first time receiving the grant. I believe Marseilles applied for it last year but I can't recall if they received it.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

@chupaRobra It doesn't happen a lot nor has it happened recently, but it has happened multiple times. In a non-work-related capacity, I know at least a few teachers that hear it a lot more often than I do.

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

I wish it mattered to the people spreading this nonsense that it's been debunked at every turn, but it doesn't matter so I'll continue to field "news tips" about it.
https://t.co/PULNYUjvsO

[La Salle NewsTribune - Shaw Local @NewsTrib]

The conspiracy theorist Alex Jones should pay $965 million to people who suffered from his false claim that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax, a jury in Connecticut decided Wednesday. https://t.co/OwUk1MgVUJ

[Michael Urbanec @tt_michaelu]

I had a story last weekend about just how badly the Illinois Valley needs rain. It looks like we should be getting some here soon. Good for me and those like me. My allergies and asthma don't like all the dust in the air.