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.

Marquette defeated Henry-Senachwine 13-2 on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at June Cross Field in Ottawa.

Ottawa fell to Kaneland 5-2 on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 on King Field at Ottawa High School.

Construction has begun on Logan’s Oasis playground at Marilla Park in Streator. The playground has been in the works for almost two years. The project is spearheaded by Melissa Crank and family members in memory of her late son, Logan Crank.

Uptown Grill hosted their 27th Annual Spaghetti Supper to support the Lighted Way Children’s Development Center in La Salle.

Emergency crews responded to Coogee Chemical Facility for a magnesium industrial fire on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Ottawa. Two victims with burns were transported to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa. One of those victims is in critical condition.

Morris defeated Ottawa 6-3 on Monday. April 20, 2026 at Ottawa High School.

The iconic spring-flowering bluebell is back at Starved Rock State Park. These beautiful blooms can be spotted along the trailhead to Illinois Canyon on the far east end of the park. Native to Illinois, bluebells are an important pollinator, attracting bees and other insects each spring. Peak bloom is expected over the next 2–3 weeks, making now the perfect time to get out and see them.

The Ottawa softball team traveled to Sycamore Friday to take on the Spartans in Interstate 8 Conference action.