Ottawa Mayor Robert Hasty joined leaders from 15 river communities at the first annual Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) Conference, Nov. 5–6 in Peoria.

‘Lincoln’s Ottawa: Stories from Valley View’ take guests on a tour of several historic sites in the Illinois Valley related to Abraham Lincoln.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 2-8. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

There are hundreds of World War I monuments across Illinois – remain silent reminders of a war legacy that still lingers more than a century later.

Brian Ksiazak was in middle school when his father, a Naperville firefighter, was honored for saving a patient’s life. Now living in Grand Ridge, Ksiazak said that moment helped shape his commitment to community.

Illinois lost an estimated 2,936 men in Vietnam – the sixth-highest toll among all states. Dozens were from local communities, and their sacrifices continue to resonate with family and friends

Tonya Willey of Ottawa comes from a long line of proud military service but her service was different: she was a musician in the U.S. Army.

Eighteen band and eight choir students from Ottawa High School have been selected to participate in the 2025 Illinois Music Education Association District 2 Band, Orchestra, Chorus and Jazz Festivals.

OSF HealthCarepatients’ in Peru recently welcomed advanced practice registered nurse Krystal Hanson to its staff as a behavioral health provider.

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is working to connect residents with food resources following the halt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by the federal government shutdown.

Roosty’s Chicken & Shakes hopes to be open by the end of the year.

Three Wolfpack Athletics youth football teams based in Ottawa captured Pop Warner Football state championships at their age level last weekend in Plainfield.

Here is a look at the second-round playoff matchups awaiting Seneca, Morris and Dwight this weekend.

The Ottawa City Council approved three infrastructure projects to upgrade the city’s water and sewer systems during their regular meeting on Tuesday night.

Ottawa City Hall had a few new faces in the council’s seats on Tuesday night as members of the Kiwanis Kids Club took over the roles of city officials during the Ottawa City Council’s regular meeting.

Mueller Funeral Home is inviting community members to pick up free Christmas stockings to decorate for veterans and soldiers as part of its annual Christmas Stockings for Soldiers and Veterans program.

OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center will partner with ImpactLife to host a community blood drive from 7:30 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18.

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, and returned the following indictments.

The Karuna Food Pantry in Ottawa is struggling to keep up with food demands due to falling temperatures and rising grocery prices.

Two more defendants in the “Jane Doe” lawsuit against the city of Ottawa have been dropped from the case.

Morris Hospital has added a new interventional cardiologist, Dr. Jibran Rana, who will see patients at the hospital’s Ottawa office on Polaris Circle, as well as at locations in Morris and Dwight.

The potential shutdown of the Hunters Feeding Illinois program could leave local food pantries without a seasonal source of venison, a loss that comes when many are already facing food shortages.

The Ottawa City Council will hold its regular meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 301 West Madison Street.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Oct. 26-Nov. 1. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Illinois Valley Community College will close both campuses Tuesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.

Check out photos from Trick-or Treaters on Halloween along Ottawa's south side by Tom Sistak.

Jefferson Elementary in Ottawa is recognizing students who demonstrate strong emotional intelligence through its RULER program.

The AARP is hosting a driver safety program at Illinois Valley Community College’s Ottawa campus.

The academy was awarded an overall A grade for 2026.

The little castle on Main Street in Ottawa has life once again, as Keely’s Castle recently opened at the site of the former Prince Castle ice cream shop.

Search our table to see what designation your La Salle County school received on the 2025 school report card.

Here is a look at the opening-round playoff matchups awaiting Seneca, Marquette, Dwight and Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland this weekend.

Ottawa Township High School senior Mary Stisser has been selected as the school’s 2025-26 Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award recipient.

Local food pantries need cash to meet their holiday demand, but this year they need non-perishable food donations, too. Federal cutbacks are straining the food banks and making it harder for the pantries to buy discounted food.

Wine & Art Walk is Saturday, Nov. 8 at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa.

More from the Week 9 sideline across The Times area, including notes on Ottawa, Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland and more.

Rutland Grade School in Ottawa announced its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

For more than five decades, if you ordered a pizza at Sam’s Pizza in Oglesby more than once, chances are owner Sammy Leone knew your order when you came in and never had to write it down.

Deer Park Grade School announced its honor roll for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Oct. 19-25. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Ottawa City Council approved two agreements involving vehicles for the Police Department during their meeting on Tuesday night.

The Ottawa Center for the Arts will hold a free sneak preview open house for its new downtown campus from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26, at the campus, located in The Abbey and The Great Hall buildings, 910 Columbus St.

The Ottawa City Council approved taking over control of a section of Champlain Street in north Ottawa from La Salle County during their meeting on Tuesday night.

A look at Week 9 across The Times coverage area, including games lined up for Marquette, Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland, Seneca, Sandwich, Streator, Ottawa, Dwight and Fieldcrest.

OSF HealthCare’s recent offer to keep a limited ICU in Ottawa hinged on the city endorsing its broader consolidation plan, a condition city officials rejected as unfair and unacceptable

Prairie Fox Books in Ottawa will be closed from Friday through Sunday, Nov. 2, while the building undergoes renovations to its infrastructure. 

Roxy Cinemas in Ottawa will reopen this week after undergoing renovations.

The Rotary Club of Ottawa Sunrise will serve a German dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the Trinity Lutheran Church fellowship hall, 717 Chambers Street, Ottawa.

Guests will follow a trail of clues hidden throughout downtown Ottawa, where each stop reveals another piece of the puzzle.

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is speaking out against what she called violent, corrupt and illegal actions by the federal government, saying officials have disregarded due process, incited political violence and attempted to silence free speech and the press.