Local Headlines

OTTAWA – The 7th COVID-19 case in LaSalle County was announced Saturday.  The man in his 40’s is in isolation at an area hospital.   Federal privacy laws prevent the release of any other details about his

LOCKPORT- The Will County Sheriff’s Office say a murder-suicide in Lockport may have happened in part over fears of COVID-19.    On Thursday deputies were called to the 400 block of Bruce Road in Lockport Township for

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Authorities are clamoring to secure additional body storage wherever possible as U.S. officials estimate the death toll from the coronavirus could reach as high as 240,000. The need has been compounded by private mortuary

UTICA – The Utica Fire Chief has issued a burning ban for the Utica Community Fire Protection District territory, effective until further notice. Burning includes but is not limited to burning of landscape waste, agricultural waste, household

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday re-christened Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center as a field hospital for COVID-19 cases and publicly hoped it wouldn’t be needed. The two leaders

  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced new federal guidelines Friday recommending that Americans wear face coverings when in public to help fight the spread of the new coronavirus. The president immediately said he had no

MENDOTA – OSF St. Paul Medical Center officials say the hospital is prepared in the event of a surge of COVID-19 in the community. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Leonardo Lopez says the hospital has adequate personal protective

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois has barred all activities at state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas and historic sites in another move to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Illinois Department of Natural Resources director

PRINCETON – A third resident of Bureau County has tested positive for coronavirus disease. The individual was screened and tested by an area hospital.   The individual is a 77-year-old male who is currently being hospitalized. Public health

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 1,209 new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois including 53 deaths on Friday. This brings the total number of cases in the state to 8,904 and 210 deaths in

  DIXON – Lee County now has 2 positive cases of COVID-19. 94 tests are still pending, but the Lee County Health Department says it is one person in their 50’s and one in their 30’s. Contact

PONTIAC – A sixth resident of Livingston County has tested positive for COVID- 19. According to the Livingston County Health department the case is a male in his 60s who is recovering at home in isolation. Health

CHICAGO (AP) — A new federal lawsuit seeks a court order directing state officials “to drastically reduce Illinois’s prison population” on grounds that hundreds of inmates are particularly vulnerable to catching and dying from the coronavirus. The

MORRIS – The Grundy County Health Department announced a sixth positive case of COVID-19 in Grundy County. The resident is a male in his 40s. Health officials are working to identify and working with all individuals who

OTTAWA –  Effective immediately all parks within the city of Ottawa are now closed. According to the Ottawa Police Department, at this time the only activity permitted will be the launching of watercraft into the Illinois and

OTTAWA –  Effective immediately, all parks within the city of Ottawa are now closed. According to the Ottawa Police Department, at this time the only activity permitted will be the launching of watercraft into the Illinois and

AMBOY – The Lee County Unified Executive Leadership Team announced a positive case of COVID-19 in Lee County on Thursday. The case is an adult resident in his or her 50s and is isolated at home. The

  SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 715 new cases of COVID-19 including 16 additional deaths. This brings the total number of cases to 7,695  and 157 deaths. Illinois Department of Public Health Director

MORRIS – The Grundy County Health Department announced a 5th case of coronavirus in Grundy County. The resident is a male in his 50s. Public Health officials say federal privacy laws prohibit the release of any additional

  SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 986 new cases of coronavirus disease in Illinois including 42 additional deaths on Wednesday. The most recent deaths include: – Carroll County: 1 male 80s – Cook County: 1

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police have started checking the identities of people attempting to enter four blocks on the city’s West Side to discourage gatherings of gang members. Under the order, only people who live on the

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Southern Illinois University has suspended the Delta Chi fraternity for violating the chancellor’s order banning in-person activities to slow the spread of COVID-19. Carbondale police over the past weekend responded to a house

SPRINGFIELD – Governor J.B. Pritzker says statewide, intensive care unit beds are still available, staffed and ready for immediate use. During Tuesday’s COVID-19 conference with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Pritzker says statewide preliminary reports shows

PONTIAC  – Three more residents of Livingston County have tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Livingston County Health Department the individuals include a male in his 70s who is currently hospitalized, a female in her 80s who

SPRINGFIELD – Governor J.B. Pritzker is extending his executive stay-at-home order through the end of April. On Tuesday the Illinois Department of Public Health announced 937 new cases of COVID-19 in the state including 26 additional deaths.

OTTAWA – LaSalle County Health Department has confirmed an additional COVID-19 case on Tuesday. The sixth case is a female in her 30’s. The individual is recovering at home in isolation. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit the release

OGLESBY – Illinois Valley Community College is extending its 16-week course withdrawal deadline from April 7 to April 22, Vice President for Student Services Mark Grzybowski announced today. “This will allow students more time and flexibility when

PRINCETON- A second resident of Bureau County has tested positive for COVID-19.  The 48-year-old woman was tested by an area hospital.  She is recovering at home in isolation.   Public health officials are in the beginning stages

SPRINGFIELD – An adjustment to WIC rules will allow for more options for those enrolled in the program when they shop for milk at retailers. The USDA Food & Nutrition Service has approved some substitutions for participants

URBANA, Ill. (The News-Gazette) — Authorities say an eastern Illinois man has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly fatally shooting his live-in girlfriend and her adult daughter over the weekend. Twenty-eight-year-old Jonathon Perry was charged Monday

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois officials have reported the death of a state prison inmate from COVID-19 and acknowledged the difficulty they face in stopping the spread of the virus in a crowded correctional system. Dr. Ngoze Ezike,

OTTAWA –  OSF HealthCare facilities in Mendota, Ottawa, and Streator will implement a strict no visitor policy effective March 31, 2020, with a few exceptions: One visitor will be allowed if deemed necessary for the provision of

OTTAWA -LaSalle County Health Department has confirmed an additional COVID-19 case in LaSalle County. The case is a male in his 60’s. The individual was hospitalized, but is now home in isolation. Federal privacy restrictions prohibit the

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health announced  461 new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois on Monday. Seven new deaths are also being reported, including the death of an incarcerated man from Stateville Correctional Center. Cook

OTTAWA – An Ottawa woman is facing drug-induced homicide charges after the death of another woman in February.  LaSalle County State’s Attorney Karen Donnelly announced Monday that 38-year-old Heather R. Reynolds was arrested and is being held

SPRING VALLEY – A fire reportedly in the living center area of St. Margaret’s Hospital on Monday had many area departments called to Spring Valley.   Around 9:45 AM the Spring Valley Fire Department evacuated all three floors

OREGON, Ill. (AP) — Weather officials have confirmed a tornado touched down in northern Illinois damaging homes and uprooting trees. The tornado touched down in Ogle County just outside Oregon around 9 p.m. on Saturday. National Weather