The course covers navigating age-related changes, reviewing driving strategies, understanding new vehicle technology and learning how aging affects driving ability.

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.

Ottawa mayor Robb Hasty and Oglesby mayor Jason Curran talked about their city’s future during Illinois Valley Area Chamber luncheon on Thursday afternoon.

The projects across the 14th Congressional District, which would come under federal Community Project Funding initiative, range from protecting clean drinking water to strengthening access to quality health care in rural communities to public transit systems.

Mobile home tax bills in La Salle County were mailed on Monday, April 13.

If approved by the state, the River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) will offer tax credits, sales tax exemptions and other tools to support local businesses and attract developers.

An appellate court supported a Will County judge’s decision in 2025 that allowed Cesar Guerrero to go back on the ballot for the election of Joliet Township supervisor after he paid campaign fines. 

Immanuel Lutheran Church is hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross from 1-6 p.m. on Monday, May 4, at its location at 415 S East Street in Earlville.

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.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for April 12-18. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Ottawa police have charged a man in connection with the early Saturday shooting at the Zeller Inn.

A single-family residence located at 1415 Dairy Lane in Ottawa has a new owner since April 2.

Local physicians say loneliness, anxiety, and lifestyle shifts are contributing to long-term health risks for millennials

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

Tourist grants have been awarded to La Salle, Ottawa and Streator.

Doctors in northern Illinois say young adults often appear healthy but are increasingly impacted by overdoses, chronic disease, and stress-driven health issues

Marquette Academy opens its production of “Knock Knock” this weekend at the Great Hall, marking Jake Jakielski’s directorial debut.

A $6,200 donation from the Utica Fireside White Sox CLub is helping improve emergency care training in La Salle and Bureau counties.

Peoria’s bishop said Tuesday he was “very disappointed” by President Donald Trump’s “personal attack” on Pope Leo XIV

Ottawa police said there was no basis to a report of a suspicious person early Wednesday near Lincoln School.

The La Salle County Genealogy Guild will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at its headquarters, moderated by Mollie Perrot.

Nurses from across OSF HealthCare gathered for the organization’s inaugural Nurses Day in Springfield, meeting with lawmakers to advocate for policies affecting patient care.

Serena Middle School has announced its 3rd quarter honor roll, recognizing 153 students for academic achievement across grades 5 through 8.

The Ottawa Public Works Department is hiring junior laborers for summer employment to maintain parks and public spaces.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for April 5-11. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Ottawa Noon Rotary Club has awarded a $4,114 grant to the Ottawa Center for the Arts to support new signage for its recently established venues, the Grand Hall and The Abbey.

The Ottawa Concert Association will present “Divas of Soul,” a tribute concert featuring award-winning vocalist CeCe Teneal, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Central School in Ottawa. The performance closes the 2025-2026 concert season.

A single-family home in Sheridan that sold for $400,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County in the past week

The Ottawa Noon Rotary Club recently presented a $4,114 grant to the Ottawa Center for the Arts to support exterior signage installation for its Grand Hall and The Abbey venues.

Ashley Zborowski, a registered nurse with OSF Home Health, was named the March 2026 DAISY Award recipient.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation announced the establishment of the Support Our Soldiers Field of Interest Fund.

The Dayton man convicted in the Ottawa murder-cremation still thinks he was wrongly convicted, but William Horman no longer is trying to make his case without legal help

The Ottawa Police Department added a member to its force Tuesday night, after Kyle Henson was sworn in as its newest officer.

The Uptown Grill, located at 601 First St., La Salle will host the 27th annual spaghetti supper fundraiser 3:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 20 to benefit Lighted Way Association, Inc.

Jefferson Elementary School’s second-grade classes invited community member Debbie Damron to celebrate the International Day of Happiness on Friday, March 20.

Commissioner of Public Health Tom Ganiere pointed to the fact that kratom is not controlled by the FDA, and is often mixed with other ingredients that are not listed on the item’s packaging, making kratom even more dangerous.

The first COVID-19 fraudster sentenced in La Salle County thought her five-year prison term was excessive, but Ebony Green is dropping her post-trial motions.

The Ottawa City Council voted to raise the annual price increase from 3.25% to 4.5%.

The Boatyard Bar & Bistro in Ottawa will reopen for the season Thursday, April 9, bringing back riverfront dining with a mix of familiar favorites and new menu offerings.

The La Salle County Retired Teachers Association will hold its spring general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 27, at The Oaks, 2101 Caton Road, Ottawa.

Newark FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA member and resident Toby Steffen was recently selected as the District FFA Star in Farmer.

NCI ARTworks will host 25 top local artists of the Ottawa Art League at a mega-opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 10 at the NCI ARTworks gallery in the Westclox building.

OSF HealthCare has announced new surgeon Brendan Marr, MD, will join its general surgery team at OSF Medical Group – General Surgery, 920 West Street in Peru, as well as the OSF Center for Health, 111 Spring Street in Streator.

The Streator Lions Club held its bi-monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 1, at Chipper’s Grill, where members elected officers for 2026-2027 and discussed upcoming service projects.

Veteran actors might be chagrined watching "The Play That Goes Wrong" at Stage 212 in La Salle, but most audiences will find it uproarious.

The Illinois Valley Food Pantry’s fund drive to raise $750,000 to pay for its new building is more than halfway toward meeting its goal.

McKinley Elementary School in Ottawa announced its March Champions of the Charter students.

Deer Park Grade School announced its honor roll for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Participants can pick up their race day packets prior to race day from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23 in the Earlville School East Gym parking lot, or on race day at 8 a.m. in the parking lot.

A $7,500 grant is expected to help spark new business growth in Ottawa through a collaborative effort focused on supporting local entrepreneurs.