Serena graduate and Times All-Area Softball first-teamer Maddie Glade has committed to continue her education at Illinois Valley Community College and her softball career with the Eagles.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood told a crowd at a Joliet town hall that she’s received no response from top federal officials regarding a report of a “reckless” immigration enforcement incident in the city. 

The Seneca Police Department held its National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. National Night Out is an annual campaign held the first Tuesday in August to create police-community partnerships and build safer neighborhoods.

By several measures, residents of northern Illinois are sticking closer to home and instead hitting the road to explore nearby destinations such as Starved Rock, Matthiessen, and other state parks

The Ottawa Police Department held its National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, at Peck Park in Ottawa. The event featured food, games, two bounce house slides and numerous other family-friendly activities during the three-hour event.

Illinois Valley Public Action to Deliver Shelter has resumed 24-hour, seven days a week services at both its Ottawa and Peru locations, the organization recently announced.

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

Admission is free, and the public is welcome. All proceeds will go toward supporting therapy and developmental services for children served by the Starved Rock Regional Center.

The La Salle County Genealogy Guild will hold its monthly meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Guild headquarters, featuring a program by historian Dr. Wayne Duerkes.

Joey Puetz has signed on to continue her education at Benedictine University and her soccer career at the NCAA Division III level with the Eagles.

A knife fight Saturday in Ottawa turned into felony charges for an Ottawa man.

The Seneca football program announced it will play Sangamon Valley in Week 2 this season, filling the void left when Lisle went to a junior varsity schedule only.

The Ottawa City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at City Hall, 301 W. Madison St., to consider agreements on public transit, emergency communication services and local development projects.

Natalie Misener has committed to continue her education at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais and both her track and cross country careers at the NAIA level with the Tigers.

Streator Fest drew crowds Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, with live performance from Aaron Lewis, along with the carnival. The festival continued throughout the weekend. Check out these photos from Kyle Russell.

National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, allowing Illinois Valley residents and officers to meet in a casual and fun setting.

Protesters gathered on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Washington Square Park in Ottawa to stand against President Donald Trump's policies as part of the "Rage Against the Regime" demonstrations.

The Pistol Shrimp closed out their 2025 season with a 4-7 loss against the Clinton LumberKings on Thursday, July 31, at Schweickert Stadium in Peru.

The Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra has announced its 76th season, titled “Flight,” a five-concert series highlighting a different conductor at each performance.

The City of Ottawa has officially joined over 475 local governments who are enrolled in the Local Debt Recovery Program offered through the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office.

Ottawa head football coach Chad Gross said he’s encouraged with the progress his group has made in the offseason and is looking forward to seeing what the Pirates can accomplish in 2025.

The Marseilles Public Library announced a variety of events for the month of August, offering activities for all ages. The library is located at 155 E. Bluff St.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has deferred consideration of OSF HealthCare’s consolidation proposal until Nov. 18, according to board staff.

Seneca's Travis Barr has signed on to continue his education and track career at Joliet Junior College.

The football field at Hancock Stadium in Normal has been renamed after longtime Illinois State University supporters Jay and Lori Bergman.

The city of Ottawa announced they will begin using the Illinois State Comptroller’s Local Debt Recovery Program to collect unpaid fines and fees starting in September.

After spending almost 20 years in various roles with Friendship House in Ottawa, Allison Perez was recently named executive director of the nonprofit organization.

Illinois Valley Indivisible is inviting area residents to take part in a national “Rage Against the Regime” protest from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, in downtown Ottawa.

For over five decades now, Linda and Arthur Simpson have been fixtures in the Woodland School community - not just as longtime bus drivers, but as part of the school’s extended family.

Seneca senior and pitching ace Tessa Krull recently announced her verbal commitment to continue her education and softball career at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

'Beetlejuice, Jr." is Stage 212 children’s production for summer 2025. The show runs Aug. 7-10.

Beau Raikes has signed on to continue his education at Danville Area Community College and his baseball career at the NJCAA Division II level with the Jaguars.

The Seneca football squad is motivated in a number of different ways to record another in a string of solid seasons and is working hard to make that happen.

After surviving a battle with thyroid cancer, 71-year-old Robert Youens gained a new perspective on life - one that’s now fueling his journey across the country aboard a small jon boat fittingly named “The Ageless Wanderer.”

There’s an outside chance it’ll get done this winter, but workers will make trail improvements at Starved Rock State Park in 2026.

Citizens for Healthcare (CHO) in Ottawa, a local watchdog group monitoring OSF’s hospital consolidation plans, recently requested an official investigation by the Illinois Attorney General, citing concerns over monopolization and reduced access to healthcare in the region.

Families enjoy the Touch a Truck event on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Riverfront Park in Ottawa. Check out these photos by MaKade Rios.

Alyssa Zellers has chosen to continue her education at Rock Valley College in Rockford and her softball career at the NJCAA Division II level with the Golden Eagles.

The Streator Public Library is offering a week of free events for all ages, including scavenger hunts, crafts and video games.

Categorizing people into neat and tidy boxes can make it difficult to remember we are each utterly unique, unrepeatable souls. And souls remain, and should remain, in the realm of mystery.

Multiple-sport Times All-Area first-teamer Jenna Setchell has committed to continue her education at Illinois Valley Community College and both her basketball and softball careers with the Eagles.

The weather service said the clouds typically do not pose any kind of hazard and do not support strong, damaging tornadoes.

Northern Illinois Seamless Roofing - While most people associate ultraviolet (UV) rays with sunburns and fading patio furniture, few realize how much damage they can do to one of a home’s most important structures—its roof.

Ottawa has recently started the early phases of construction at the site of its future riverfront amphitheater, marking the first visible step in a project nearly 15 years in the making.

The 117th National Convention of Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Inc. was held July 9–13 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz., bringing together members from across the country under the theme “Gems of the Universe.”

Teamsters Local 179 President Chris Richter said some ground was gained during the most recent bargaining session with Republic Services on Wednesday, but major sticking points remain - especially health care, pensions and wages.

Earlier this month, Ottawa City Recreation held its 2025 tennis tournament, with competition stretching across 16 divisions with about 100 participants this year.

Executive Director of HumanKIND Dylan Conmy has joined the staff of the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation as administrative assistant to Director of Operations Janice Corrigan.

A batch of mosquitoes collected in Marseilles has tested positive for West Nile virus — the first documented virus activity in the county this year, according to a news release from the La Salle County Health Department.

The 12U Wolfpack-Holloway baseball team, comprised primarily of Ottawa-area players, ended its season by capturing the Silver Bracket Championship title at Cal Ripken Experience in South Carolina.