A host of young entrepreneurs set up shop on a hot Saturday morning in Ottawa’s Washington Square for the fourth annual Children’s Business Fair, hosted by Prairie Fox Books.

Young entrepreneurs showcased their talent during the 4th annual Children's Business Fair on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, at Washington Park in Ottawa.

Montgomery was transformed into Valhalla as the Sons of Norway brought back to life ancient Viking games. Replica codfish were tossed, plastic axes were heaved, yarn fjord horse heads were weaved and plastic ninja throwing stars were darted.

A shoe collector himself, Andrew Oldenburg got into footwear cleaning and sneaker restoration about six years ago for his own collection. 

Recruiting young police officers had been tough for sheriffs and police chiefs in the Illinois Valley. Not anymore. Pay increases and other recruiting efforts have reversed the trend.

The Ottawa City Council took one of the final steps in allowing a $2 million state grant to move forward for Illinois Valley PADS’ new homeless shelter project in Ottawa during their regular meeting on Tuesday night.

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

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. 

Ottawa City Council approved a series of agreements to support the North Central Area Transit (NCAT) bus service, along with other approving other items during their regular meeting on Tuesday night.

An appellate court ruled a Tinley Park man convicted of murder in Will County should receive a new trial because a judge failed to sustain objections to prosecutors’ misstatements of critical evidence in the case.

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.

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.

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.

Ottawa students participated in the Urban Safari Photo camp this summer in Ottawa. The week-long camp is part of the Ottawa Recreation summer program. Campers learned to be encouraged and look beyond everyday items to discover interesting textures and light patterns. Campers learned how to take photos, were assigned a project and edit the final images.

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.

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

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.

A now-fired La Salle County sheriff’s deputy was indicted Tuesday by a La Salle County grand jury on 10 counts of child sexual abuse images

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

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.

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

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.”

The two-day fest will feature 12 beverage vendors July 25-26 in downtown Ottawa.

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 3rd Annual Natalie Claire Conrad Memorial Foundation Bike Poker Run will roll out Sunday, July 27, across multiple locations in Ottawa.

The worship band Heirborn will perform at 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, at Washington Square Park in downtown Ottawa.

he Ottawa Fire Department responded to a house fire on Tuesday afternoon in the 2500 Block of Cherry Lane for reports of smoke and windows breaking, Fire Chief Brian Bressner said in a news release.

The Ottawa Recreation Department will host its annual Summer Carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Rigden Park in Ottawa, 620 W. Jackson St.

Ottawa will celebrate National Ice Cream Day with a community event Sunday, July 27, at Riordan Pool, featuring free admission, complimentary ice cream and a leadership transition in the city’s recreation department.

The closure is expected to last about one month, weather permitting, according to a news release from the La Salle County Highway Department. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

Organizers said bus seats are still available for those wishing to attend the meeting. Reservations can be made by contacting the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce at 815-433-0084.

Multiple agencies responded to a two-story residential structure fire in the 1400 Block of U.S. Route 6 in rural Ottawa on Saturday night.

The Burgess Family, descendants of Englishman John Cragg, who built the original Cragg Cabin at Gose Lake Prairie, gathered at cabin’s replica over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate the American flag and their family history.

The Ottawa Fire Department recently received a $1,000 donation to support farm rescue operations, thanks to a partnership between the La Salle County Farm Bureau, Illinois Farm Bureau and Country Financial.

Gerald Hulslander, of Ottawa, will celebrate his 100th birthday with an open house on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 717 Chambers St., Ottawa.

A structural fire in the 1500 block of Poplar Street in Ottawa was extinguished without any injuries on Thursday evening

Firefighters responded to a structural fire around 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 1504 Poplar St. in Ottawa