Week 4 across The Times coverage area includes conference openers for Marquette and Ottawa, Coal City coming to Streator, road games against 2024 playoff teams for FCW and Seneca, plus more.

Seneca girls golf, Sandwich boys golf, Streator girls tennis and Seneca girls volleyball are among the winners featured in The Times Wednesday Roundup.

An alleyway in downtown Ottawa will be closed for several days next week as construction work takes place.

The Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum will host a trivia night on Wednesday Oct. 8 at the museum. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

The Streator City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at city hall to decide on a rezoning request for a house across from Streator High School and a facade grant for the Bowl-Mor bowling alley and restaurant.

The Streator volleyball team swept Dwight in straight sets on Tuesday, while Serena, Somonauk and Leland earned Little Ten Conference victories. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

The Ottawa girls tennis team swept all three doubles matches in Tuesday's 4-1 Interstate 8 Conference dual victory over La Salle-Peru at the Henderson-Guenther Tennis Facility at Ottawa High School.

The Streator girls tennis team won both singles matches and took one of three doubles Tuesday to edge visiting Princeton 3-2.

Thousands of dead fish were reported Tuesday near the Streator dam in Livingston County, prompting an ongoing review by state and local agencies.

A few cities have opted to keep the grocery tax in place. Oglesby might not be one of them.

The closure affects a section about a half-mile west of Illinois Route 251.

A cultural tribute to departed loved ones will take shape in Illinois Valley Community College’s Main Campus and Ottawa Center lobbies as the college and its communities celebrate The Day of the Dead.

The Serena boys golf team finished second and the Somonauk squad third at Monday's Little Ten Conference meet at Indian Oaks Country Club in Shabbona, while the Seneca girls placed third at the Pontiac Invite. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Burlington Central senior Tyler Samaan played his final six holes 4-under par to finish with a 66 and the title of the Pirate Invitational at Deer Park Country Club in Oglesby on Monday. The Rockets placed second as a team, while host Ottawa finished third.

Work is now officially underway on the long-awaited replacement of the Kelly Street Bridge on the north side of Streator.

The Streator Public Library is offering a week of free events and activities from Monday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Sept. 20, including crafts, book clubs, STEM activities and pirate-themed activities.

More from sidelines around The Times area after Week 3 of the IHSA football season.

A Saturday crash in Ottawa involving a sport-utility vehicle and two motorcycles sent three to the hospital, police said.

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Somonauk/Lland boys cross country runner Cade Hamer!

Those are just a few of the words spoken about Charlie Kirk during Sunday afternoon’s vigil at Knudson Park in Marseilles, where more than 130 people attended to show their support and grieve the loss of Kirk.

The Marquette football team fell on a last second field goal in Wisconsin on Friday, while FCW rolled to a I8FA victory at Galva. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Cross country, boys soccer and girls volleyball results from the weekend are all in The Times Saturday Roundup.

So, what is heaven, and where is it? Is it a place, a state of being, or a journey? Or is it all of the above?

The donation will enhance the safety and emergency response capabilities for agricultural workers and residents across the Illinois Valley.

A buyer is still being sought for Bizzy Bee Activity & Learning Center in Streator. 

Walldogs artists work on a vibrant mural at Streator's City Park on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. Check out these photos by MaKade Rios.

Marisa Kress, DO, will begin on Sept. 14, providing access for patients in need of primary care and women’s health services at OSF Medical Group, Primary Care, located at 415 E. 2nd St., Spring Valley.

Seneca rushed for 419 yards and allowed just 107 total yards in a solid 50-0 win against host Clinton on Friday night to move to 3-0 on the season.

Melissa Olivero of Peru announced her retirement Thursday from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) following almost 13 years as a judge and over 23 years as a federal employee.

Shaw Media hosted the Best of the Illinois Valley event to honor businesses voted the best in their categories by readers throughout the region.

Streator, Newark, Somonauk and Serena girls volleyball all picked up conference victories, Sandwich boys golf prevailed, plus more in The Times Thursday Roundup.

Led by eight kills from Kaitlyn Davis, seven from Kinley Rick and five from Kelsey Cuchra, Marquette evened its overall mark to 5-5 and improved to 2-1 in Tri-County Conference play.

Starting this year, the holiday market will be guided by a Board of Directors and supported by subcommittees. Profits will be reinvested locally through grants to nonprofits serving Ottawa residents.

The event raised $1,500, which was donated to Streator Cops for Kids. Organizers said the funds were made possible by the generosity of the community and local business sponsors.

A Marseilles man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for setting fire to his brother’s house in January– and while his brother was trapped inside.

The Marseilles Renaissance Faire returns Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 655 Commercial Street, offering a full day of entertainment and activities for all ages.

The Central Church of Christ and Live Well Streator have partnered with the City of Streator to host a citywide cleanup from Thursday, Sept. 18, through Saturday, Sept. 20.

Engle Lane Theatre in Streator will present the comedy “Moon Over Buffalo”, with performances running through Sept 12.

The Streator City Council backed multiple annexation agreements with property owners in the Circle Drive Subdivision, setting the stage for the city to extend sewer service to the area.

During their meeting on Tuesday night, Streator Plan Commission recommended a $15,000 facade grant for Bowl Mor, a bowling alley and restaurant at 2416 N. Bloomington Street.

Here are our Week 3 high school football previews for games across The Times area, including Ottawa, Streator, Sandwich, Marquette, Seneca, Dwight, Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland and Fieldcrest.

The Earlville volleyball team topped Putnam County in straight sets on Wednesday, while the Serena boys soccer team picked up a Little 10 victory in overtime. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

A proposal to rezone a Morrell Street property to allow multi-family housing met resistance Tuesday night, as the Streator Plan Commission unanimously recommended denial of the request.

Ottawa native Anne Ewers, a longtime leader in opera and the performing arts, returned to her hometown for a book signing of her debut work, The Mentor’s Gift. In a Q&A, she reflected on her career, the mentors who shaped her and why giving back now inspires her.

The tea will include a selection of teas, savory delights, and sweet treats.

Amazon has opened their new last-mile delivery facility in Ottawa, bringing more jobs while also speeding up deliveries across the Illinois Valley.

At a Tuesday forum hosted by state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, a Cook County Democrat, said lawmakers will tackle regulating data centers during the upcoming fall veto session.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s drew about 150 to Ottawa and left organizers hopeful of meeting a fundraising goal of $43,000.

The Streator boys golf team picked up a victory on senior night, while Ottawa, Somonauk and Sandwich also carded victories on the links on Tuesday. Plus more results from around the Times area.

The Ottawa girls volleyball team - helped by 13 kills from Belle Markey, 11 winning swings from Bella Knoll and a key service run in the final set by Jordyn Allen - rallied for a thrilling 17-25, 25-13, 27-25 victory over Pontiac at Kingman Gym on Tuesday night.