April 21, 2026 | WALLS 102 - Part 13

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Historical covers for April 21: Utica hit hard by tornado

As Shaw Media commemorates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from April 21. These archives serve as a time capsule, capturing everything from the closing days of World War II to the local impact of national tragedies and the resilience of communities following natural disasters.In the final weeks of World War II, the April 21, 1945, edition of the Morris Daily Herald was dominated by the rapid collapse of the Axis powers. The massive lead headline, “Reds’ Entry Into Berlin Is At Hand,” captured the global anticipation of the war’s end. Domestically, the paper noted the transition of power following FDR’s death, reporting on “Truman Learning About Problems From The Cabinet.” Locally, the community remained focused on the war effort, highlighting “1,800 Fliers Subjected To Torture March” and a call for residents to “Keep Buying War Bonds.”By 1996, the focus in McHenry County shifted to domestic economic pressures. The front page featured a prominent look at how “Seniors face housing squeeze,” with residents expressing fear that rising property taxes would force them from their long-term homes. In contrast to community spirit, the paper also highlighted a “Make A Difference Day” initiative where “Cary neighbors team up with Cub Scouts” to collect food for the hungry, showcasing the enduring local tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.The April 21, 1999, edition of DeKalb’s Daily Chronicle reflects one of the darkest days in American school history. The headline “16 dead in school killing spree” reported on the initial, tragic details of the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. While the nation grieved, the paper also maintained its local watch, reporting on the “New council” in DeKalb and a positive economic milestone: the “March unemployment rate drops to 10-year low of 3.3 percent.”In 2004, the news was dominated by local devastation closer to home. The April 21 edition of The Times-Press led with the sobering headline “Utica hit hard” after a deadly tornado tore through the village. The front page detailed “Widespread damage in village; at least 4 dead,” while noting that the “Killer storm skirts Streator.” The coverage focused on the immediate aftermath, showing volunteers and emergency personnel searching through the rubble of what was once the Milestone tap.

Historical covers for April 21: Utica hit hard by tornado

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Arellano: Legislation aimed at lowering state fees, keeping notary services in Illinois advances

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State Sen. Li Arellano Jr., R-Dixon, advanced Senate Bill 1573 out of the Senate, legislation that would lower the fee to become certified as an electronic notary in Illinois and thus encourage more notaries to operate within

Historical covers for April 21: Utica hit hard by tornado

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Historical covers for April 21: Utica hit hard by tornado

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As Shaw Media commemorates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from April 21. These archives serve as a time capsule, capturing everything from the closing days of World War II to the local

Explosion at Ottawa chemical plant injures two, contained quickly

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Explosion at Ottawa chemical plant injures two, contained quickly

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Explosion at Ottawa chemical plant injures two, contained quickly

Two people were hospitalized with burn injuries after a magnesium fire erupted at Coogee Chemical Plant in Ottawa on Friday morning, Ottawa Fire Chief Brian Bressner said. Firefighters were dispatched a little before 8 a.m. to the plant in the 1500 block of Titanium Drive. Upon arrival, firefighters witnessed white smoke coming from the building and confirmed it was a magnesium fire, Bressner said.One person is in critical condition, he said. The condition of the second person is unknown at this time.Five employees were working in the building at the time of the fire. The other three did not sustain injuries and helped their coworkers until firefighters arrived, Bressner said.“The fire was contained pretty quickly,” Bressner said. U.S. 6 was shut down temporarily, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby manufacturing facilities. The order was lifted about 45 minutes after firefighters arrived, once the fire was contained.Bressner said there was no danger to the public.“The smoke coming off was contained on-site. The smoke didn’t have hazardous chemicals,” Bressner said.The fire started when facility workers were moving magnesium powder from one container to another, Bressner said. The facility uses argon gas to help control the powder. A problem with either the argon or too much oxygen in the container allowed the magnesium to oxidize and ignite the fire, he said.“Once magnesium starts on fire, it does explode,” he said. “The fire was contained to probably about a ten-by-ten square foot area. There was no damage or structural damage to the area at all.”Operations are on hold while the facility completes its investigation and Occupational Safety and Health Act arrives on scene, Bressner said.

Explosion at Ottawa chemical plant injures two, contained quickly

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Explosion at Ottawa chemical plant injures two, contained quickly

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