Local Headlines

DIXON (AP) – A Chicago man is free for the first time in nearly 30 years after a judge threw out his conviction. Demond Weston says, “It was a long road here and we made it.”  He claims he was tortured into confessing to a 1990 murder and other shootings. Special prosecutor Bob Milan ...Read more

PERU – An early Thursday morning home fire heavily damaged a home in Peru.  According to Peru Fire Chief Jeff King, they were called to the 1600 Block of 5th Street after a resident reported a fire in his kitchen.  When responders arrived, they found fire coming out of the back of the ...Read more

STREATOR – Streator Township High School’s district will be getting more funding due to a higher property tax base. At Tuesday night’s board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Matt Seaton reported that projections of a 4% increase in property tax value has remained. According to Dr. ...Read more

OTTAWA – Workers involved in the coal tar cleanup at the former Central School site in Ottawa are preparing for heavy duty work in the new year.  The site that was once home to a former gas plant in the 50s is now under the responsibility of Nicor Gas and Com Ed. Spokeswoman Jennifer Golz ...Read more

  STREATOR – Winners have been announced in the 2019 Streator Holiday Lighting Contest. The contest hosted by the Streator Chamber of Commerce, had five categories: most creative, most eccentric, most religious, business display and best overall. The most creative holiday lighting ...Read more

PEORIA  (AP) – Thirteen members of a central Illinois street gang called the Bomb Squad are facing the possibility of decades in prison after jurors in central Illinois convicted them of a racketeering conspiracy that included murders and drug trafficking. The federal jury returned ...Read more

OTTAWA – Ottawa City Council’s levy for 2020 will increase 9.5% over the amount extended last year. City Treasurer Don Harris explained that they city is asking for around $6.8 million this year, up around $595,000 from last year. Harris stated that for homeowners, that would be an ...Read more

STREATOR – Streator Township High School  will be welcoming their first foreign exchange student after winter break. As part of a program with Foreign Services China Group, the high school will be hosting senior Yang Ruoheng for the semester. Superintendent Dr. Matt Seaton says she will ...Read more

JONESBORO, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois man accused of rigging a shotgun to his shed to prevent breaks-ins has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in the death of a man who opened the shed door and was shot. William Wasmund of Union County was sentenced Monday, three months after being convicted ...Read more