Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for March 29-April 4. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Boatyard Bar & Bistro in Ottawa will reopen for the season Thursday, April 9, bringing back riverfront dining with a mix of familiar favorites and new menu offerings.

Families and children take part in an Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 4, at Peck Park in Ottawa.

The JOY senior group will meet on Wednesday, April 15, at 1 p.m. at Park Place in Streator for a program on birding basics.

About 1 to 3 inches of rain fell over the area Friday night, with a localized amounts near 4 inches across parts of central Livingston county, the National Weather Service said.

Ottawa’s annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday, April 4, at Peck Park instead of Allen Park due to rising river levels and potential flooding, the city announced.

Annie from Shaw Local Radio spoke with Det. Ozzie Landerlos with the Ottawa Police Department for its Autism Acceptance evening on April 1

The Ottawa Fire Department responded Thursday to burning overhead power lines in the alley between Turk’s Furniture and Ace Hardware, according to a news release.

As Shaw Media celebrates its 175th anniversary, we looked back at four front pages from April 2

The First United Methodist Church in Ottawa will hold its 21st annual spaghetti lunch and supper on Thursday, April 23.

The Ottawa Fire Department will be out in the community for two free home safety programs for any residents within city limits on Tuesday, April 14.

When Walmart opened its first store in Peru on Tuesday, April 1, 1986, it marked a major retail milestone for the Illinois Valley. Check out photos from when the store originally opened and the grand-opening ads.

The screening is free, but appointments are required.

The Ottawa Fire Department has welcomed its newest probationary firefighter Jackson Novak.

First United Methodist Church in Ottawa will host its 21st annual spaghetti lunch and supper fundraiser Thursday, April 23, at the church, 100 W. Jefferson St.

La Salle County will host a free electronics recycling event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 11, at the La Salle County Government Center, 707 E. Etna Road in Ottawa.

Two rural Illinois counties now largely depend on OSF HealthCare for reproductive services, but its policies limit the care it can provide.

Milton Pope School will hold kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year on Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

B Dominique Boutique announced it will close its doors in mid-to-late April after five years in business. 

Over 100 people gathered for a No Kings rally on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Washington Park in Ottawa.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for March 22-28. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The University of Illinois Extension will offer a Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention program for adults at the La Salle County Extension Office in Ottawa.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from March 3 to 13, 2026.

A single-family home in Seneca that sold for $320,000 is near the top of the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County during the past week

Rutland Grade School in Ottawa announced its honor roll for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

La Salle County prosecutors have lodged a complaint alleging bullying and verbal harassment against the chief judge. The complaint was tendered to a state agency that polices the bench

A 1,272-square-foot single-family residence, built in 1926, has changed hands.

More than 50 businesses from throughout the region participated in the fourth annual Ottawa Township High School Career Fair, providing students opportunities to connect directly with employers.

Nine students at Ottawa Township High School received first- or second-place ribbons in the Interstate 8 Art Conference at Sycamore High School on Saturday, March 14. Their scores propelled OTHS to first place overall in the competition.

Fulton Sheen, the Peoria priest who gained fame as a 1950s televangelist, will be beatified Sept. 24 in St. Louis, Peoria Diocese announced Wednesday.

The Ottawa Police Department will host a sensory-friendly family event for Autism Acceptance Month on Wednesday, April 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Reddick Library Community Room.

The Ottawa/Marquette High School Class of 1984 donated over $7,500 to the Natalie Claire Conrad Memorial Foundation.

Ottawa Township High School (OTHS) hosted a quarterly Student Recognition Breakfast on Friday, March 20.

A Polar Plunge fundraiser at Serena Middle School has raised $9,125 for Special Olympics Illinois, organizers said Tuesday.

Crews are moving materials in place on the site of a future Chipotle Mexican Grill on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in Ottawa. The Ottawa City Council approved the project last June, and the construction has been ramping up this month. It is located on Etna Road next to Thorntons.

How much hair would you part with to fight children's cancer? On Sunday, a few brave souls left Senica's Oak Ridge Golf Club with crew cuts and helped raise more than $5,200 for cancer research.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for March 15-21. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Leland Town and Country Association will host “Hop into Easter,” an Easter bunny and vendor event on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Leland School, 370 N Main Street.

A single-family home in Somonauk that sold for $780,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County during the past week

Todd Volker of Ottawa was recently appointed to TeamIllinois by the Illinois Economic Development Corp.

The HumanKIND initiative will be holding a fundraiser from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Friday, April 24 at the intersection of Norris Dr and Columbus St in order to raise money for the 5th Annual Ottawa Family Pride Fest.

The Beach House matches the flavors, décor, and relaxed feeling people may remember from their coastal vacations – and that’s exactly how owner John Mathias designed it to be.

Safe Journeys will be joining the HumanKIND Initiative at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25 at the William E. Heisler Center for the first event of the ‘Crafts & Conversations’ series, ‘Succulents & Self Care’.

Hasty had a message for what proclaiming Thursday, March 26, 2026 as Epilepsy Awareness Day could change about the city of Ottawa’s impact on the epilepsy community.

According to a press release, work will repair the bridge deck and will include the replacement of expansion joints and the application of a latex overlay.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said the case attempting to remove a Joliet City Council member from elected office was not a "vindictive attack" nor an example of his office attacking minority candidates based on race.

There will be a November rematch of the 2024 contest for statehouse: Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel (D-Ottawa) will again try to fend off Republican challenger Liz Bishop of La Salle.

Polling places in the Illinois Valley were full on Tuesday morning – with election judges, that is. Voters, on the other hand, were pretty scarce.

Arneson Oil & Propane Co. wins Ottawa fuel bid.

The Starved Rock Civil War Round Table will meet for a presentation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, in Room 420 at Ottawa High School.