January 09, 2025
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Photos: Midwest Morel Fest returns to Ottawa

By Derek Barichello
Image 1 of 9
Chad Nichols, of DeKalb, won the award for nabbing the largest mushroom Saturday, May 4, 2024, following the morel hunt at the Midwest Morel Fest in Ottawa.

Chad Nichols, of DeKalb, won the award for nabbing the largest mushroom Saturday, May 4, 2024, following the morel hunt at the Midwest Morel Fest in Ottawa. (Derek Barichello)

Derek Barichello

Derek Barichello

Derek Barichello is the news editor for The Times in Ottawa and NewsTribune in La Salle, part of Shaw Local News Network, covering La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties. He covers local and breaking news in the areas of government, education, business and crime and courts, among others.