Residents carried signs, drew artwork and voiced their opposition to a number of developments in the political arena, with workers’ wages and the infringement of the First Amendment chiefly among them.

Seneca baseball and softball both were victorious Saturday, while Earlville and Sandwich softball suffered defeats, all in The Times Saturday Roundup.

Illinois Valley Community College named Project Success counselor Aseret Loveland as the recipient of the Connie Dzierzynski Skerston Memorial Award for Support Staff Distinguished Service.

La Salle County Sheriff’s Office announced the results of the April enforcement campaign, held during Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

The Streator Public Library recently announced its upcoming programs and events for the second week in May.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Hennepin branch will offer a tour of the Reddick Mansion at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16.

Illinois Valley Community College will hold its 60th annual commencement ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 16, in the college’s gymnasium, 815 N. Orlando Smith St., Oglesby.

The Ottawa baseball team fell to Plainfield South in extra innings at Schweickert Stadium in Peru on Friday, while the Newark softball team won big. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Ottawa freshman Teagan Darif smacked a pair of solo homers, and pitcher Addie Russell went the distance in the Pirates' 2-1 victory at Seneca on Friday. The win was Ottawa's sixth straight, while Seneca's loss was its first.

The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 110th anniversary Thursday with a sold-out annual dinner at Starved Rock Lodge, honoring members who have shaped the community since 1916.

The Streator Public Library will hold an event for community members to receive May Day baskets from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2.

The Streator Public Library recently announced its upcoming events and programs for the first full week in May.

The Seneca softball team, behind the hitting of Graysen Provance and pitching of both Tessa Krull and Hayden Pfeifer, improved to 23-0 on the season with a win over Dwight on Thursday, while the Marquette baseball team fell to St. Bede for the Crusaders first loss of the season.

Good situational hitting and a dominant outing on the mound carried Ottawa to a 10-0 win over La Salle-Peru on a rainy Thursday night at Huby Sarver Field, taking home the Illinois River Rivalry trophy and completing the series sweep.

Serena senior Cassie Walsh and Somonauk/Leland freshman Brielle Deacon hooked up in a classic pitchers’ duel on Thursday with the Huskers wrapping up an undefeated Little Ten Conference softball championship with a 1-0 victory over the Bobcats in Serena.

The Illini and Princeton-Illinois chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their mutual 130th anniversaries Saturday, April 4.

Ottawa native and paleontologist has published a new book discussing links between birds and dinosaurs.

Liberty Village of Streator has been named the Streator Chamber of Commerce’s Member of the Month for April 2026.

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Ottawa recognized two students as May Students of the Month.

Eastin McBroom pitched another gem for Newark baseball, Ottawa baseball made it 2 for 2 against its archrival this season, and Earlville softball outslugged Newark, plus more in The Times Wednesday Roundup.

This gathering will be more than a farmers market, it will be a homecoming to celebrate local makers, local artists, shared memories and the remarkable legacy of a place that served generations.

Ottawa Noon Rotary donated $1,500 to the Ottawa YMCA’s Annual Giving Campaign, helping to expand access to vital programs and services that strengthen the local community.

The Marquette softball team suffered its first Tri-County Conference loss in extra innings to St. Bede on Tuesday, while Serena blanked Somonauk/Leland in a battle of teams previously unbeaten in Little Ten Conference play. Plus more results from around the Times area.

Interested in helping a local boy reach his birthday goal this weekend? If so, a community tuna drive benefiting the Marseilles Food Pantry will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, outside the pantry at 200 Broadway St.

I know it sounds like a cliché, but it just doesn’t seem possible. And at the risk of embarrassing these tiny-babies-turned-strapping-men, I can’t let it pass by without reflecting on it.

After early struggles, Ottawa's Lucas Farabaugh smacked a run-scoring double in the eighth inning to help the Pirates top rival La Salle-Peru in Tuesday's Interstate 8 Conference game at Huby Sarver Field.

The last time the Marquette Crusaders lost a baseball game was a year ago, and the opposing starting pitcher was St. Bede lefty Gino Ferrari. This time Marquette came out on top of another competitive meeting, 6-1, to move to 20-0 on the season.

The University of Illinois Extension will give local kids a chance to learn about gardening through it’s 4-H Little Roots Garden Program this spring.

Nursing tutor M’Kenzee Smith of Ottawa has been named Illinois Valley Community College’s 2026 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award recipient.

OTHS Automotive Technology teacher John Hladovcak said about 60 students each year will have an opportunity to use the equipment in several different vocational education classes that OTHS offers.

A Servant’s Heart in Ottawa is hosting a rummage sale Friday and Saturday, with proceeds supporting the organization’s homeless prevention and housing assistance programs.

Marquette's Todd Hopkins, Woodland's Connor Kaminke and Mendota's Steve Wasmer will be among the 2026 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coaches of the Year.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Streator announced its honor and high honor rolls for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Congratulations to The Times Athlete of the Week, Ottawa baseball player Rizon Contreras!

The Streator Leading Ladies held its monthly meeting Thursday, April 16, at Chipper’s Grill.

The Board of Trustees of the Reddick Public Library District is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the board.

The La Salle County Friends of Extension and 4-H will hold a drive-thru fundraiser dinner to support La Salle County’s Illinois Extension and 4-H Youth program from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the La Salle County Extension Office parking lot, 1689 N. 31st Road, Ottawa.

The 2026 May Merriment will be chaired by Matt and Sarah Bullock, Nicole and Joe Killelea and honorary chairs Sandy and Jake Killelea.

Serena's Cassie Walsh tossed a no-hitter against Gardner-South Wilmington with nine strikeouts on Saturday, while the Marquette baseball and softball teams both topped Yorkville Christian. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

SNAP benefits for the hungry could be cut next Friday, May 1. For local food pantries, the timing could scarcely be worse.

Seneca and Somonauk/Leland softball, Fieldcrest baseball and girls track and field standouts Lila Coleman, Abbi Armstrong and Isabella Markey are among the winners in The Times Friday Roundup.

Seneca's baseball club weathered a late surge and held off Streator for a 10-9 victory Friday in a tense back-and-forth game that ultimately ended up favoring the Fighting Irish.

Mendota police have made an arrest in the Friday morning shooting of an unidentified man. Police say the victim has been treated and released.

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

A man in Mendota was shot in the leg early Friday. The injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Morris Hospital - Preventive screenings are key to long-term health. Stephanie Mickley, advanced practice registered nurse with Morris Hospital, says colonoscopies are vital for detecting and preventing colorectal cancer early.

The Marquette baseball team defeated Henry-Senachwine to improve to 18-0 this season on Thursday while the Seneca softball team rolled past Woodland/Flanagan-Cornell to move to 20-0 on the campaign. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Ottawa's Kennedy Kane gave up a home run to the first batter she faced Thursday, but she and reliever Addie Russell didn't give up anything else as the Pirates defeated the host Bulldogs 5-1.

Marquette junior Kelsey Cuchra is in the midst of an amazing season and a mind-boggling streak at the plate. She added to those numbers in the Crusaders’ 13-2 Tri-County Conference victory over Henry-Senachwine in six innings on Thursday at June Gross Field in Ottawa.

The Streator Lions Club recently held its bi-monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, at Chix.