The 600 block of Bellevue Avenue in Ottawa was closed Tuesday for an emergency sewer repair, city officials announced on Tuesday.

The meal is free and the public is invited to attend. The meal will have dine-in or carryout options.

United Way of Eastern LaSalle County will celebrate 87 years of community support and partnership with United Way Day on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. in Washington Square Park in Ottawa.

Congratulations to the new school year's first Times Athlete of the Week, Streator boys golfer Brennen Stillwell!

The Marseilles Lions Club recently presented the city with a $3,500 donation, completing its $7,000 pledge to support construction of a new pavilion at the recently renovated Broadway Park.

La Salle County voters will have new election equipment ready for the spring 2026 primary.

Both the Streator City Council and Plan Commission will meet Tuesday night to consider multiple annexations, facade grants, and other items, starting at 6 p.m. at Streator City Hall.

The Ottawa boys soccer team used a Leo Carrizo-England tie-breaking goal off a Christian Solis assist with 15 minutes remaining in earning the Interstate 8 Conference win over the Hubs on Monday. The Marquette, Woodland, Newark and Flanagan-Cornell also earn volleyball wins.

La Salle-Peru's Mary Craven carded a solid 44, which included a string of seven bogies and a par, to not only earn medalist honors but also help the Cavaliers grab the triangular win over Coal City and Ottawa on Monday at Deer Park Golf Course.

Green Street from Chapel Street north to Old Chicago Road in Ottawa will reopen to traffic at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, the city announced on Monday.

More from the Ottawa, Seneca, Marquette and Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland sidelines in The Times Week 2 Football Notebook.

A new chapter of the old football rivalry that started in 1894 took place Friday night. Here’s a dive into history and a recounting of some of those interesting Streator-Ottawa matchups in years ending with “5,” viewed a decade at a time.

Engle Lane Theatre in Streator will present the comedy “Moon Over Buffalo”, with performances running through Sept 12.

The La Salle-Peru Co-Op girls swimming team and Newark girls volleyball squad both had successful showings in invitationals, plus more in The Times Saturday Roundup.

Family members, caregivers and supporters gathered Saturday in support of those with Alzheimer’s in Ottawa for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ahmed Eldib started seeing patients at Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine’s Ottawa office in early August, bringing advanced hip and knee surgical expertise to the community.

The Seneca football rolled to a Week 2 win on Friday, while Fieldcrest and Sandwich suffered losses. Plus, local cross country runners competed well at Twilight in the Woods.

Ottawa, behind 309 yards rushing and a 28-point second quarter, topped Streator 50-14 on Friday night at King Field in the 104th meeting between the two programs

The season opener will take place at 7 p.m. at Central School, 711 E. McKinley Road, Ottawa. The Sidekicks’ show combines popular songs from the era with nostalgic pop culture references.

The Ottawa boys golf team finished second at the Illinois Valley Central Invitational on Thursday, while the Serena, Newark, Somonauk and Earlville volleyball teams grabbed Little Ten Conference wins. Plus, more results from the Times area.

Visiting Coal City topped the Streator Bulldog Spikers on Thursday night, both sets highly contested with the Coalers winning the first 25-18 and the second 26-24.

St. Bede sophomore Kijah Lucas posted five of her team-best eight kills and added a pair of blocks in the final set as the Bruins topped host Marquette 22-25, 25-21, 25-14 in a Tri-County Conference match on Thursday at Bader Gym in Ottawa.

The move is in response to Illinois eliminating its 1% statewide grocery tax, a change passed in the state’s 2025 budget. When the state tax ends, municipalities are allowed – but not required – to enact their own replacement tax to avoid losing revenue.

Open Table United Church of Christ, in partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church, will host a free concert featuring folk/pop musician Bobby Jo Valentine at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the sanctuary of Trinity Lutheran Church, 717 Chambers St., Ottawa.

As summer 2025 winds down and harvest season will soon arrive, it is good to reflect on the generosity of God.

Morris Hospital - Your feet and ankles carry you through every step of your day, making their health essential to your overall well-being.

The Illinois Valley Sportscard and Collectibles Show will return next week on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Peru Mall.

SRCCF has continued to create opportunities for artists and arts organizations across La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties. SRCCF’s component fund, the Arts of Starved Rock Country, is the primary driver of this, according to a SRCCF news release.

Week 2 in The Times coverage area includes the on-field debuts of Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland and Dwight, Marquette's home opener and Streator visiting Ottawa to continue the state's third-oldest rivalry.

At the Warrior Dome, host Woodland captured its second straight triumph and the 100th win of head coach Michelle Pitte's career, plus golf, soccer and more volleyball in The Times Wednesday Roundup.

The Serena boys soccer team scored three times in just under a two-minute span very early in Wednesday's Little Ten Conference opener against Earlville and eventually wrapped up a 6-2 victory at Serena High School.

Illinois Valley residents are invited to take part in the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Jordan Block in downtown Ottawa.

Revenue from the storage facility may help fund a $1.5 million extension of Centennial Drive, improving access to the site. While no construction timeline has been announced, this approval marks a key step forward for development in north Ottawa.

The Ottawa City Council approved demolition and asbestos abatement at the former Illinois Valley PADS homeless shelter during their meeting on Tuesday night, clearing the way for construction of a new facility funded by a $2 million state grant.

The program meets on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Parents are asked to drop off children by 7 p.m. and return for pickup at 8 p.m.

The Streator volleyball team opened the Illinois Central Eight Conference slate with a win on Tuesday, while Woodland, Newark, Somonauk and Fieldcrest also earned victories. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

The second installment of La Salle County real estate taxes is due Tuesday, Sept. 9.

La Salle County Retired Teachers will meet Monday, Sept. 22 at Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Avenue, Ottawa.

Illinois National Guard members gathered at the Marseilles Training Center from Aug. 18-22 to compete in the annual Adjutant General’s Match, known as TAG Match.

Streator residents gather on Main Street for the Labor Day Parade festivities on Aug 31, 2025. Check out these photos from MaKade Rios.

The Serena boys soccer team finished 1-1-1 at its own tournament on Saturday, while the Streator volleyball team placed third at the Ottawa Invitational.

The Mendota boys soccer team went 3-0 at the 30th Streator Boys Soccer Invitational on Saturday while the host Bulldogs finished 0-3 but gained valuable experience.

Are the roads safer? La Salle County is poised to have fewer fatal accidents in 2025 thanks to tumbling DUIs and increased patrols, among other factors.

Area Catholic schools issued assurances students will be kept safe after two children were fatally shot, and many more injured, in Minnesota.

The Sandwich boys golf team topped both Somonauk and Serena in Friday's triangular at Edgebrook.

The Seneca football team rushed 34 times for 348 and five touchdowns, while the defense held Chicago Christian to just 47 total yards in a 47-6 season-opening win at Seneca High School on Friday.

Hardee’s sixth annual “Run Today for Tomorrow Run/Walk to Fight Suicide” on June 28 in Ottawa raised over $30,000 and attracted 216 finishers.

Seneca head football coach Terry Maxwell and his senior son, Zebadiah, have found a great balance and are looking forward to spending more special Friday nights together on and off the football field this coming season.

The Ottawa boys golf team shot an impressive 299 to capture the title of the 11-team La Sall-Peru Invite on Thursday, while Serena and Somonauk earned wins on the volleyball court.

The Streator volleyball team - behind 11 kills from senior Aubrey Jacobs - sweep rival Ottawa 25-18, 25-22 in Thursday's match at Pops Dale Gymnasium.