Ottawa

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, is kicking off the Emerging Professionals Council from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 25, at her district office, 628 Columbus St., Ottawa.

It’s been more than 22 years since Dalton Mesarchik, a 7-year-old Streator boy was abducted and murdered. The FBI and ISP continue to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the individual(s) responsible for the disappearance and death of Dalton Mesarchik.

Lin Garden, 305 W. Main St., Ottawa, has temporarily closed because of a family emergency. 

Eagle Scout Ayden Lawless completed a project that will benefit the community for years to come.

Serena High School’s National Honor Society wrapped up Mental Health Week with an assembly promoting Down syndrome awareness and a Polar Plunge fundraiser, raising $6,001 for the Special Olympics.

A Roaring 20s themed drawdown, an Illinois Valley baseball exhibit, a presentation of "Catch Me If You Can," a trivia night and spring craft show are among the activities in the Illinois Valley this weekend.

Seven Illinois Valley mayors spoke Wednesday about their cities during the State of the Cities luncheon coordinated by the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.

The La Salle County Republican Party will host its 47th annual Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday, March 29, at Pitstick Pavilion on Route 23, just North of Ottawa.

River Valley Players bring the unbelievable-but-true story of Frank Abagnale Jr. to the stage in Henry with, "Catch Me If You Can."

The Prairie Singers are hosting a series of concerts starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3 at St. Michael's in Streator, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6 at St. Bede in Peru, 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's in Ottawa, and then at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at St. Patrick's in Seneca.

A Streator man accused of strangling a woman was indicted Tuesday for murder.

Drug agents said they seized a pair of .9-mm pistols, 34 grams (.07 pounds) of purported cocaine and 151 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The man charged in connection with the seizure was granted release from La Salle County Jail – for now, anyway.

The Ottawa Plan Commission has decided to table its decision on a solar farm proposal until the next meeting after local residents raised concerns about how the proposed project could impact their properties.

OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa will seek to close its five-bed intensive care unit and 14-bed obstetrics services, as facilities at OSF St. Elizabeth in Peru prepare to take their place.

During his State of the City address last week, Ottawa Mayor Robb Hasty addressed questions about the future of development on Jackson Street.

The Marseilles Subway is closing its location at 237 Commercial St. permanently at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25.

GDL Mexican Restaurant opened this month in the former Monte’s, 903 E. Norris Drive, Ottawa.

Ottawa officials have announced the intersection of East Lafayette and Guion streets will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, and Wednesday, March 26, for a construction project.

Firefighters responded to a structure fire at the former Platform 31 tavern on Monday on Water Street in Peru. The fire broke out just after 8:30 a.m. Peru Fire upgraded the scene to a third alarm, summoning fire departments from La Salle, Utica, Mendota, Tonica, Ottawa, Ladd, Spring Valley, Lostant, Cedar Point and Troy Grove.

Arukah Institute of Healing’s Living Room is moving to a new location in Ottawa.

Children will have a chance to bring their stuffed friend and enjoy stories and snacks Wednesday, March 26, at Reddick Library in Ottawa.

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum will host an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, to debut a new exhibit featuring the Illinois Valley Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Ottawa/Marquette High School Class of 1984 recently donated more than $6,000 to the Community Food Basket of Ottawa this week.

Here is a look ahead at some of the events or meetings coming up in the next week in the Illinois Valley.

State Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, has introduced legislation to enhance background requirements for those seeking to adopt or foster a child.

Ottawa Mayor Robb Hasty unveiled official renderings of the new riverfront amphitheater Thursday in his second State of the City Address.

The next history lecture at the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum will be at 2 p.m. Sunday March 23, at the museum’s meeting room, 1100 Canal St. 

OSF Healthcare was granted a 12-month deferral for two projects impacting Ottawa’s healthcare system at a meeting with Illinois' Health Facilities and Services Review Board on Tuesday, March 18, in Bolingbrook.

Two judges and a former state’s attorney are among the 11 applicants for the circuit judgeship vacated by Cynthia M. Raccuglia, who retired recently due to medical issues.

The Ottawa Elementary School Board of Education announced Marissa Darlington as the district’s new superintendent.

The Ottawa City Council approved on Tuesday a new 1% sales tax and service tax for the city.

The Ottawa City Council held a public hearing Tuesday night to discuss the annexation of 12 properties in the Fields Hill subdivision.

Here are some concerts happening in DeKalb, DuPage, La Salle, Lee, Kane, McHenry and Will counties happening in March. From classical music to high-energy rock shows, there's something for everyone.

Ottawa was awarded a $650,000 Community Development Block Grant to rehabilitate 10 local homes.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation recently welcomed two new board members who have a history of business success and nonprofit leadership.

An Ottawa man faces a mandatory trip to prison if convicted of delivering more than 15 grams of cocaine to undercover agents. Three more suspects were charged in sting operations.

Ottawa Community Thrift is expanding its store to add new features and is closed this week while under renovation.

The next Starved Rock Civil War Round Table will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, in Room 420 at Ottawa High School, 211 E. Main St.  

Ottawa’s yard and garden waste drop off is scheduled to begin April 1 on the 400 block of West Jackson Street.

Join Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Cyndee Schaffer on Thursday, March 20, at the Reddick Library as she uses excerpts from her mother’s letters written home during WWII to provide a romantic yet frightful glimpse into the life of a woman in uniform during this time.

Spring sports are here, and to get you ready here's a schedule of high school sporting events in the Ottawa/Streator area for the coming week.

Putnam County was hit hard with straight-line winds Friday night into Saturday morning, leaving hundreds without power. There were, however, no injuries.

Two seniors were recognized by Ottawa Sunrise Rotary for their many accomplishments and career goals.

An open flame from a stove in an Ottawa home led to an accidental house fire Friday.

Ottawa’s Green Street from Chapel Street north to Canal Road will be reduced to one lane of traffic again on Monday, March 17.

Contractors are scheduled to continue construction on a downtown Ottawa parking lot on Monday, March 17, at the northeast corner of East Main and Columbus streets.

Six fire departments in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam and Marshall counties will receive state funding for equipment.

Catch A Cajun’s season is on hold indefinitely.

The city of Ottawa, in partnership with the Ottawa Downtown Association, invites community members to attend a meeting about the Volunteer Adopt a Garden Bed Program.

Ottawa police have promoted two officers, Chief Mike Cheatham announced Thursday.