Local Headlines

  OTTAWA – The city of Ottawa plans to do some work on nearby rivers. The city plans to pass an ordinance authorizing agreements with a bond service management to fund projects on the Fox and Illinois rivers. According to Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut, the city wants to finance a ...Read more

o   SPRING VALLEY – Spring Valley’s Police Department is ready to hire on a full time officer. In May, Spring Valley’s city council agreed to allow the police department to begin searching for at least one new officer after Chief Sangston addressed the need. At Wednesday ...Read more

OTTAWA – A pedestrian bridge over Goose Creek in Ottawa will undergo repairs. Currently, the bridge next to Champlain Street is closed due to deterioration. City Engineer Tom Duttlinger says the underlying issue is a water main attached to the bottom of the pedestrian structure. He says ...Read more

  STREATOR – State Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is touring local businesses throughout the Illinois Valley to discuss the state’s balanced budget along with tax credits that will help businesses grow. He recently toured the new Vactor Manufacturing plant in Streator to attend its ...Read more

HENNEPIN – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) visited Marquis Energy, meeting with its leaders and touring the ethanol facility, highlighting the importance of ethanol production to our nation’s economy and the damage being caused by the Trump Administration’s inappropriate use of small ...Read more

  STREATOR – A man in Streator Tuesday morning escaped serious injury after colliding with a train. The Streator Police Department reported that 36-year Matt Weibel was traveling west on Bridge Street around 9 AM when he crossed the Norfolk Southern tracks near Illinois Street. Weibel ...Read more

STREATOR – Garages and homes were targeted by apparent burglars Tuesday in Streator. The Streator Police department took a number of reports of items being missing, including a home burglary in the 400 block of Bluff Street. A bicycle was reportedly taken from an unlocked garage in the 300 ...Read more

OTTAWA – The city of Ottawa is planning ahead for recreation marijuana sales. In a city council meeting, an ordinance was approved amending the city’s code to implement a 3% sales tax to be collected in October of 2020. Attorney Christina Cantlin  says it’s possible that the tax could ...Read more

MENDOTA- In a forum before the regular city council meeting Tuesday in Mendota a dozen residents gathered to voice their opinion on expanding gaming in the community.   An unspecified retailer sought to add gambling devices into their store, and a majority spoke in opposition of the plan.   ...Read more

PERU – Two people were transported to local area hospitals after a collision on Illinois 251 and Wenzel Road that ended with one vehicle crashing into Midland Bank on Tuesday night in Peru. According to Peru Fire Chief Jeff King, just after 8 p.m., a two vehicle accident occurred between an ...Read more