Local Headlines

MINOOKA – A pedestrian died after an accident with a semi tractor trailer truck in Grundy County Thursday. According to the Illinois State Police, the truck was traveling on I-80 westbound west of Brisbin Road when it allegedly struck a pedestrian that was in the lane of traffic. The ...Read more

OTTAWA – While the statewide unemployment rate remained steady over the past month, local unemployment rates continue to rise, leaving them among the highest in the state. State wide unemployment remained at 4.3%, however counties like LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam have seen increases of over ...Read more

SEATONVILLE – The Seatonville Fire Department, along with Ladd and Spring Valley Fire battled an early Thursday truck fire that destroyed a semi-tractor.   Around 2:30 a.m. crews were called to the Seatonville Elevator for a fully engulfed fire in the parking lot.  The fire was ...Read more

TISKILWA – Emergency repair work has begun for the Hennepin Canal in Bureau County. According to county engineer John Gross, the canal levee broke due to recent heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures, causing a box culvert failure near lock 7. Ice and debris in the box culvert caused ...Read more

PRINCETON – The Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor group and the Princeton Flags of Freedom Organization honored a Bureau County veteran at Tuesday nights board meeting. Ralph Anderson was recognized for his service in the Korean War with a handmaid quilt that was wrapped around him, ...Read more

MENDOTA – Visitation is scheduled for Thursday evening for a Mendota teen who passed away Sunday.  Benjamin Bokus was heavily involved in sports at Mendota High School, where he graduated from in 2018.  Former Mendota High Football Coach Brock Sondgeroth said Monday that “Ben will ...Read more

SPRING VALLEY – The city of Spring Valley approved of a property donation to make a park. The Casford family donated property north of Illinois River on Spaulding Street with the stipulation that it would be transformed into a park. Park Board members say they’re proud to have received a ...Read more

LASALLE – The LaSalle City Council agreed to go forward with a pedicab business proposal at Monday night’s city council meeting. Ken Mollan of Starved Rock Pedicab, LLC spoke to council members about obtaining a business license for pedicabs to operate in downtown LaSalle. He explained ...Read more

OTTAWA – The city of Ottawa will be upgrading its lift station, moving it out of a flood plain. In a city council meeting earlier this week a motion was passed, authorizing Basalay Cary & Alstadt Architects to design a new station north of the existing facility that could be ...Read more