The Reddick Mansion will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families this summer as part of the Blue Star Museums program.

The La Salle County Genealogy Guild will host a presentation on DNA testing and genealogy research Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at guild headquarters.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for May 3-9. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

A single-family home in Ottawa that sold for $559,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County during the past week.

More than 800 runners competed in the Starved Rock Country marathon on Saturday, May 9, racing through downtown Ottawa, Utica and Starved Rock State Park. Full-marathon runners started and ended in downtown Ottawa, while half-marathon runners began in Utica and finished in downtown Ottawa.

The Wallace Warrior Games were held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Wallace Grade School. The unified event promoted inclusiveness, friendships and fun. 25 schools and over 400 kids from La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties participated in the event.

The Dr. Joseph J. Hohner Scholarship Committee has awarded $59,200 in scholarships to 38 students for the 2026-2027 school year, with individual awards ranging from $600 to $5,000.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer three free dial gauge pressure canner testing days to help ensure home canning process safety.

The $1 million funding from the “2025 Community Project Funding Request” will help the City of Streator replace the bridges starting in the fall of 2027, with an expected completion time of summer 2028.

Jobst Monuments is a goldmine for anyone looking for lawn and garden items, and the interior of the shop is just as beautiful with its original floors.

From packed tour buses to rising conversion numbers, clergy across Illinois say the first American-born pope is energizing Catholics one year after his election

McKinley Elementary School in Ottawa announced its April Champions of the Charter students.

Ottawa Chiropractic recently welcomed associate chiropractor Gabrielle Peasley, D.C., to its staff effective Friday, May 1.

A La Salle County grand Jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments.

New research and Illinois doctors point to obesity, diabetes and smoking as key drivers behind a troubling rise in heart disease among younger adults

The 2026 competition marks the 40th time OTHS has placed in the top three in its class in the 54-year history of the IHSA Music Sweepstakes.

The city of Ottawa has revoked the liquor license for the Zeller Inn following a series of violations spanning more than a year, city officials announced on Monday.

In a protest advocating for workers' wages and the protection of the First Amendment, residents came to Washington Park in Ottawa. The protest was part of a nationwide movement, with Illinois Valley Indivisible organizing the event at Washington Park.

Letter carriers across Streator will collect non-perishable food donations on Saturday, May 9 as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an annual effort to combat food insecurity in communities nationwide.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for April 26-May 2. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Residents carried signs, drew artwork and voiced their opposition to a number of developments in the political arena, with workers’ wages and the infringement of the First Amendment chiefly among them.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Hennepin branch will offer a tour of the Reddick Mansion at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16.

The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 110th anniversary Thursday with a sold-out annual dinner at Starved Rock Lodge, honoring members who have shaped the community since 1916.

A union for legal aid workers decided to strike Friday in downtown Joliet as they seek a contract with fair pay.

How much rain fell in northern Illinois in April? In some places, it was more than twice the average, swelling rivers in the region beyond their banks.

The Illini and Princeton-Illinois chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their mutual 130th anniversaries Saturday, April 4.

Ottawa native and paleontologist has published a new book discussing links between birds and dinosaurs.

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Ottawa recognized two students as May Students of the Month.

This gathering will be more than a farmers market, it will be a homecoming to celebrate local makers, local artists, shared memories and the remarkable legacy of a place that served generations.

Ottawa Noon Rotary donated $1,500 to the Ottawa YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign, helping to expand access to vital programs and services that strengthen the local community.

The University of Illinois Extension will give local kids a chance to learn about gardening through it’s 4-H Little Roots Garden Program this spring.

Nursing tutor M’Kenzee Smith of Ottawa has been named Illinois Valley Community College’s 2026 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award recipient.

OTHS Automotive Technology teacher John Hladovcak said about 60 students each year will have an opportunity to use the equipment in several different vocational education classes that OTHS offers.

A Servant’s Heart in Ottawa is hosting a rummage sale Friday and Saturday, with proceeds supporting the organization’s homeless prevention and housing assistance programs.

Shaw Local Radio's Dani Holland interviewed Bill Zenns with the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce (IVAC) about the upcoming Lemonade Day this weekend. More than 50 student entrepreneurs from across the Illinois Valley will be setting up shop in Utica on May 3

Strong to severe storms are expected across northern Illinois on Monday, with the greatest risk for damaging winds and hail arriving late afternoon into the evening

The Board of Trustees of the Reddick Public Library District is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the board.

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

The La Salle County Friends of Extension and 4-H will hold a drive-thru fundraiser dinner to support La Salle County’s Illinois Extension and 4-H Youth program from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the La Salle County Extension Office parking lot, 1689 N. 31st Road, Ottawa.

A single-family home in La Salle that sold for $380,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County in the past week.

The 2026 May Merriment will be chaired by Matt and Sarah Bullock, Nicole and Joe Killelea and honorary chairs Sandy and Jake Killelea.

SNAP benefits for the hungry could be cut next Friday, May 1. For local food pantries, the timing could scarcely be worse.

The course covers navigating age-related changes, reviewing driving strategies, understanding new vehicle technology and learning how aging affects driving ability.

Six mayors from Spring Valley, Utica, Ottawa, Peru, La Salle and Oglesby spoke at the 2026 Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities Luncheon on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Grand Bear Lodge at Starved Rock in Utica.

Ottawa mayor Robb Hasty and Oglesby mayor Jason Curran talked about their city’s future during Illinois Valley Area Chamber luncheon on Thursday afternoon.

The projects across the 14th Congressional District, which would come under federal Community Project Funding initiative, range from protecting clean drinking water to strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities to public transit systems.

Mobile home tax bills in La Salle County were mailed on Monday, April 13.

If approved by the state, the River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) will offer tax credits, sales tax exemptions and other tools to support local businesses and attract developers.

An appellate court supported a Will County judge’s decision in 2025 that allowed Cesar Guerrero to go back on the ballot for the election of Joliet Township supervisor after he paid campaign fines. 

Immanuel Lutheran Church is hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross from 1-6 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at its location at 415 S East Street in Earlville.