The former K’s Secret Garden building at 215 E. Main St. in downtown Streator is set to become a space for small events, following Streator City Council’s approval of a facade grant on Wednesday night.

Streator shoppers will continue paying a 1% sales tax on most grocery items starting next year, after Streator City Council voted on Wednesday night to keep the city’s existing share of the tax after the state repeals its portion.

Streator took major steps to pave the way for a proposed Beck’s gas station near City Park, as Streator City Council approved six ordinances related to tax increment financing (TIF) districts that will support the project.

During their regular meeting on Tuesday night, the Ottawa City Council approved funding for street improvements and authorized HVAC maintenance at several facilities owned by the city.

A proposed Beck’s Oil gas station, car wash and convenience store planned for the corner of Park and Broadway will be the focus of Wednesday night's Streator City Council’s regular meeting

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State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, held a town hall Friday at Northern Illinois University’s Holmes Student Center in DeKalb. Briel will be hosting town halls later this year in Oglesby and Utica.

At Thursday’s village board meeting, Utica Police Chief James Mandujano said the village force, which usually logs between 550 and 580 reports per year, is on pace for 640 this year. That would be an increase of at least 10%.

The Utica Village Board again has a full house. Eric Bara was sworn and seated Thursday to the vacant trusteeship.

A longtime prosecutor will be adviser to the La Salle County Board.