Ottawa

A holiday pop up store opens on Black Friday in downtown Ottawa.

Three individuals and two teams have been selected as 2025 inductees to the Ottawa Township High School Hall of Fame, following a nomination and selection process.

Most stores will be closed Thanksgiving Day.

Mr. J’s Hot Dogs and Gyros hosted a grand opening at a second location Saturday at 488 E. Route 71, Oglesby.

Ottawa Elementary School District will host a Truth in Taxation hearing during its next school board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, to discuss a proposed increase in the district’s levy.

The Dean Riley Shootin’ the Rock Thanksgiving Tournament got off to an exciting start Monday in Kingman Gym with two down-to-the-wire games to end the night.

Catch up with family and friends over a holiday brunch in December.

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday, Nov. 19, and returned the following indictments.

Reddick Public Library in Ottawa will feature a new book club for high schoolers.

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were in La Salle County this week completing a federally evaluated exercise for the La Salle Generating Station nuclear plant near Marseilles.

Yard and garden waste drop-off ends Friday, Nov. 29, in Ottawa.

Illinois Valley Community College campuses in Oglesby and Ottawa will be closed for Thanksgiving break from Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 1.

Here is the list of couples who applied for marriage licenses in La Salle County from Nov. 1 through Nov. 13, 2024.

The La Salle County Motor Sports Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony on Wednesday at the Ottawa American Legion Post 33, welcoming in three new members: Streator’s John Provenzano, Marseilles’ Dave Price and Ottawa’s Pat Dresen.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra continues its Diamond Anniversary celebration with a holiday performance, “The Sparkle of the Season,” at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Ottawa High School Auditorium, 211 E. Main St.

Two of the defendants in the “Jane Doe” lawsuit against the city of Ottawa have been dropped from the case.

The next history lecture for the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum is scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at the museum, 1100 Canal St.

Handel’s Christmas “Messiah” concert will be performed 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, at First Baptist Church, 103 W. McKinley Road, Ottawa.

Spring Valley Community Consolidated School District 99 announced the hiring of Julie L. DeFore as superintendent beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

Mackenzie Sherman, a dedicated 4-H member from Bureau County, earned seventh place in the Public Speaking Contest held Nov. 8-9, at the Eastern National 4-H Roundup, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Police seized more than 200 grams of cocaine, multiple firearms and stolen goods worth more than $50,000. A trio of men are accused of overseeing the year-long criminal enterprise.

At the Marseilles City Council meeting on Wednesday night, Police Chief Todd Gordon announced the promotion of officer Dan Ellis to the rank of sergeant and introduced the newest member of the department, officer Caitlyn Barnes.

The Ottawa Police Department conducted electronic cigarette/tobacco compliance checks Monday at several retail establishments.

Downtown Ottawa will be joining Streator among the many cities nationally celebrating Pink Friday on Friday.

The Ottawa High School drama, choir and band will be putting on a production of the play "Annie" this Friday and Saturday.

Barring an appeal, Amy “Murri” Briel will succeed state Rep. Lance Yednock as the 76th District state representative.

Four Streator men were charged Tuesday with the seldom-filed felony of criminal drug conspiracy. Streator police said other suspects in a drug and theft ring would be charged, as well.

The Ottawa City Council has authorized the NCICG to seek federal grant funds of up to $650,000 to help as many as 10 homeowners rehab their properties.

Ottawa area residents have shown their support for a girl who was injured during a swimming program Thursday at the YMCA.

For more than 82 years, VanDuzer Jewelers has been one of the most trusted names in jewelry in the Streator and Ottawa region, the Streator Chamber of Commerce said in a news release.

Dozens of local high school and middle school students turned out for the inaugural IVCC Eagles Run races Saturday at Illinois Valley Community College.

The April 2025 ballot is starting to take shape in the Illinois Valley. Here is who filed in La Salle, Mendota, Oglesby, Peru, Princeton, Spring Valley, Streator and Utica.

A mentor program that a group of young Ottawa executives plans to launch next week for Illinois Valley Community College students may be one of the first of its kind in the region.

The Lee County Honor Flight is growing as more and more La Salle and Bureau counties veterans join the trips to Washington D.C.

OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center received an “A”' grade in the biannual Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades for the Fall of 2024

North Central Area Transit is requesting input.

The Reddick Public Library, 1010 Canal St., in Ottawa will host the following events the week of Nov. 18.

The last charged suspect in the armed Ottawa home invasion, during which shots were fired, has pleaded guilty to a felony.

An Ottawa man serving 18 years for sexually assaulting a child struck out with an appeals court Thursday.

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Ottawa welcomed two seniors as its November Students of the Month.

The Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor recently presented two quilts at the Ottawa Sunrise Rotary meeting.

4-H members across Bureau, La Salle and Marshall-Putnam counties learned ways to improve as officers at the 2024 gameshow-themed 4-H Officer Training event Nov. 9 at Illinois Valley Community College in Oglesby.

A sexual predator has been charged with going to Joliet West High School to pick up a 16-year-old girl and he’s accused of engaging in sexual acts with her, according to prosecutors.

Ottawa Police announced Friday the completion of camera installation at city parks, ensuring prompt response times when trouble ensues.

Ottawa High School will present “Annie” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the high school auditorium, 211 E. Main St.

The Cora J. Pope Trust and the Ottawa YMCA announced a new collaboration aimed at helping seniors.

Leave the cooking and clean up to someone else, and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at one of these restaurants in northern Illinois.

Jeremy “JJ” and Gayle Johnson, the owners of the longtime downtown pub at 104 W. Main St., said they will share with the public when they have news to share.

Students at Marquette Academy will present "Once Upon A Time." Adapted for the stage by Paul Sills, the performance features the stories in the collection of the Grimm Brothers and Aesop's Fables. Once Upon A Time will be performed 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at Marquette Grade School. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors. Tickets will be sold at the door. The production is directed by Jane Mills.

Coats for Kids drive collected 158 coats, 33 hats, 16 pairs of gloves, four scarves and two snow pants.