La Salle County

The OSF HealthCare Foundation is accepting applications for loan assistance from residents of La Salle County who are pursuing a career in a patient health-related field.

Schools in La Salle, Putnam and Marshall counties recently held their annual spelling bees.

Here’s a look at how candidates across the Illinois Valley reacted to Tuesday’s unofficial election results.

I was cleaning celery the other day and thought about my mom.

According to unofficial results, Ken Kolowski held a 1,679 votes to 561 votes lead over Doug Bernabei with all precincts counted for Peru mayor. This is prior to early voting totals.

Voters this week in La Salle and Bureau counties determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

Here is a list of stories from our Tuesday, April 1, 2025, election coverage.

Mendota voters swept Mayor David Boelk back into office Tuesday – and if Tuesday’s results hold, with no changes to the City Council.

Polls have closed across the Illinois Valley. Here are five spotlight races we’ll be following.

Voter turnout was solid, if not spectacular, in La Salle-Peru thanks to contested mayoral races. Outside L-P, however, foot traffic at the polls was spotty, at best.

This spring, La Salle and Bureau county voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

Chester Weger still is set for what attorneys termed a "mini-trial" – a chance to prove he didn’t commit the Starved Rock murders – but Weger’s judge set limits on what evidence can be disclosed before trial.

A La Salle man who was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer after police said he pointed a handgun at authorities during a standoff was identified Monday.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday a crackdown on distracted driving.

With the price of eggs rising, a Bureau County woman has taken upon herself to give people an option to obtain their eggs from home — by starting Chickens for Rent.

A large police presence responded in the 600 block of Chartres Street in La Salle near La Salle-Peru High School.

The federal government cut funding to health agencies that could lead to service reductions, such as free vaccines. But an official at the La Salle County Health Department said Thursday it’s too soon to know the impact.

La Salle County CASA, an organization dedicated to ensuring every child, who has experienced abuse and neglect in the La Salle County Court system, has their voice heard, announced the appointment of Alexandria Wamhoff as its new executive director.

This system seemed frustratingly flawed to me. It’s a system that appears to prioritize medication over prevention, a system that could be improved.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from Feb. 17 through March 14, 2025.

Students from Bureau, La Salle, and Putnam counties recently attended a weather presentation sponsored by 4-H Federation clubs held at Illinois Valley Community College.

Honoring 25 of the area's best high school boys basketball players as selected by The Times Sports staff, here is the 2024-25 Times All-Area Boys Basketball Team.

Seneca senior Paxton Giertz is the 2024-25 Times Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Directors from Illinois Head Start centers, the federally supported child care and early education program, said they fear cuts, as it targeted in The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025.

A Streator man charged with felony weapons offenses after a shooting – two rounds were fired into a Streator home – is headed to prison for three years.

A Streator man accused of strangling a woman still is trying to find a lawyer. Joshua Casey’s detention hearing was moved to April 17 while he looks for one.

Honoring 25 of the area's best high school girls basketball players as selected by The Times Sports staff, here is the 2024-25 Times All-Area Girls Basketball Team.

Ottawa senior Marlie Orlandi is the 2024-25 Times Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

A La Salle man faces up to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday to felony charges stemming from a gun and drug seizure.

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.

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.

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.

I think there may be one trait that we all have, that will prove that the aspect of who we are is in the genes. What I’m referring to for lack of a better word, is the Theory of the Ew.

The Illinois Valley Democrats, in La Salle, Bureau, Putnam counties, will meet 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the La Salle VFW, 2325 Donahue St.

The La Salle County Sheriff’s Office made a DUI arrest and issued numerous citations during its St. Patrick’s Day enforcement patrols.

A Streator woman was released from La Salle County Jail, with conditions, after being charged Thursday with repeatedly firing a pistol in the 100 block of East Sumner Street. There were no injuries.

A Streator man charged with strangling a woman still doesn’t have a lawyer and isn’t ready to argue detention.

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.

A Spring Valley man was put on probation Thursday after pleading guilty to trying to bilk a La Salle bank out of more than $17,000.

A registered child sex offender pleaded guilty Thursday to loitering near Ransom grade school. Tomure Adams could face three years in prison.

A La Salle man faces felony charges after authorities seized unlawful digital images.

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

A tornado watch has been issued for La Salle, Bureau, Putnam, Livingston and Marshall counties until 9 p.m. Wednesday.

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

This is a not a memoir – it’s not about the past – it’s praise for the now!

Waltham Elementary in Utica will be hosting a community open house Thursday, March 27, to provide a tour and a presentation to keep district residents informed about the need for a possible addition.

Mendota had a strong retail sales year in 2024 – but it fell a bit short of a record.

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.