A man convicted in an Ottawa home invasion, during which shots were fired, has struck out with an appeals court. Fernando Martinez got no relief and will continue serving his 28-year sentence.

The Penguin Plunge was a successful fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Illinois, with participants taking frigid dives into the water at Skydive Chicago to raise money for the organization.

180 people from 15 different groups participated in the Penguin Plunge and show support for Make-A-Wish Illinois, which is celebrating its 40th year of creating life-changing wishes for Illinois children with critical illnesses.

The Streator Public Library recently announced its upcoming events and programs for February.

Seneca boys wrestler Raiden Terry, Somonauk's competitive cheer squad, Marquette's girls basketball team and Ottawa's boys basketball team were among the winners covered in The Times Saturday Roundup.

The Ottawa girls basketball team used a 3-pointer from senior Mary Stisser in the final minutes to take the lead and held on for a 30-25 Interstate 8 Conference win over rival La Salle-Peru at Kingman Gym on Saturday afternoon.

The Marseilles Public Library will host several events and programs in February.

Registration is now open for multiple youth sports leagues in Streator for this spring and summer.

Seneca's Zeb Maxwell's huge game helped lead to a win in the third-place game of the 99th annual Tri-County Conference Tournament on Friday, while Leland's Declan Brennan scored a school-record 44 points in a win over Earlville. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

The Marquette boys basketball team built on a solid first quarter to eventually earn a 53-29 triumph over Woodland in the championship game of the 99th annual Tri-County Conference Tournament on Friday in Granville.

Rochelle pulled off a dramatic 57-55 home win over Ottawa on Friday night, capped by a half-court buzzer-beater from Hubs' junior forward Brody Bruns to win it late.

Heyworth's girls and boys basketball teams both turned once-close games into double-digit victories over FCW and Flanagan-Cornell on Friday.

A La Salle man was been arrested on La Salle County warrants for arson and home repair fraud.

Streator Home Savings Bank has been named the January 2026 Member of the Month for the Streator Chamber of Commerce.

Safe Journeys - The start of a new year often brings messages about change and self-improvement.

Motorists will be unable to travel westbound on Madison Street between La Salle Street and Clinton Street in Ottawa from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday due to a road closure.

Seneca's Graysen Provance poured in a school-record 44 points in a road win, Somonauk/Leland stayed atop the Little Ten Conference girls basketball standings, and more in The Times Thursday Roundup.

The crowd was also there to support the Illinois Valley Nurse Honor Guard as it paid respects to Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who was shot last Saturday by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis.

Have you seen a film adaptation of "Little Women"? Stage 212 in La Salle has a different version that will appeal to fans of the original as well as to fans of musicals.

Kindergarten registration for Deer Park School in Ottawa begins Feb 1. Registration is open to families both inside and outside of the Deer Park district.

More than 100 brave individuals will channel their courage this weekend at the Penguin Plunge Winter Festival. They will plunge into ice water in support of area children with critical illnesses by joining the Penguin Plunge at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan 31 at Skydive Chicago.

Immanuel Lutheran Church is hosting a lasagna lunch as part of their Senior Saturday schedule. The lunch will be from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb 14 in their fellowship hall at 415 S East St in Earlville.

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Ottawa boys wrestling’s Wes Weatherford!

Grand Ridge Grade School announced its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2025-26 school year.

A jury convicted him of the 2023 drive-by shooting in Ottawa. Anthony Brito thinks the jury got it wrong. Now, he’s arguing for a new trial – and without a lawyer’s help.

The University of Illinois Extension will host a Sustainability on the Farm winter program series for community members to learn about sustainable agriculture beginning Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Top-seeded Woodland and No. 2 Marquette captured semifinal wins on Wednesday at the 99th Tri-County Conference Tournament in Granville and will meet for the title on Friday. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

The Ottawa girls basketball team topped Kaneland 33-30 in Wednesday's Interstate 8 Conference game at Kingman Gymnasium as the Pirates closed out the contest on an 8-0 run.

A third-quarter East Peoria blitz turned things around in a hurry for an eventual 64-36 Streator loss Wednesday. But before that, the Bulldogs not only held their own but led the state-ranked Raiders at halftime.

La Salle County investigators have apprehended a resident of western Illinois who allegedly traveled to La Salle County to meet a minor.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church of Somonauk is rescheduling their all-you-can-eat chili and vegetable soup supper. The supper was postponed on Jan 24 due to the extreme cold.

The adult meal includes fish, coleslaw, potatoes, applesauce, a roll and a dessert. The kid’s meal includes macaroni and cheese, applesauce and a dessert.

ImpactLife will be having a blood drive from 12-5 p.m. this Friday, Jan 30 at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota.

Residents of Streator and Livingston County can now send text messages to 911 in an emergency.

Both Ottawa and Fieldcrest's competitive dance teams qualified out of sectionals and are heading to Bloomington this weekend for the IHSA State Meet.

Construction is beginning on Beck’s planned gas station in Streator, with demolition of buildings near the former Immaculate Conception Church site expected to start soon.

The Ottawa boys basketball team topped host Kewanee on Tuesday for win No. 10 of the season, while the Streator girls bowling squad earned a home victory over St. Bede. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Baskets were at a premium Tuesday at Pops Dale Gymnasium in Streator. That’s just the way the Bulldogs like it. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 12-point advantage against Manteno after one quarter and led by double digits most of the night on their way to a 38-26 win.

Construction on the long-closed Kelly Street Bridge in Streator remains stalled due to winter weather, and significant progress likely won’t be visible until spring, according to La Salle County Highway Engineer Don Ernat.

Courthouse renovations expected to be completed by end of 2026

Star Union Spirits’ tasting room is temporarily closed as owners assess their space following a fire Jan. 20 in the Westclox building.

Iconic Boutique owner Michelle Battistelli announced Sunday that the downtown Ottawa shop will close after 11 years in business.

The Ottawa girls basketball team picked up a road win at Sandwich on Monday, while Fieldcrest earned a conference victory over Lexington. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Despite slow starts, top-seed Woodland and No. 2 seed Marquette eventually earned quarterfinal triumphs on Monday at the 99th Tri-County Conference Boys Basketball Tournament in R.M. Germano Gymnasium at Putnam County High School in Granville.

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Somonauk/Leland girls basketball’s Kiley Mason!

An Ottawa woman was injured after her vehicle struck the BP service station Saturday afternoon.

Peru officials announced Monday that, due to continuing emergency electrical work in the area, Shooting Park Road will be closed Monday between Pulaski and Walnut streets.

The suspect in the Streator strangulation will stand trial for murder on June 1.

Earlville Jr./Sr. High School is having a fundraiser to raise money for the class of 2032.

The Reddick Public Library District in Ottawa will host several programs and events in February.