The beloved Chris Kringle Market runs through Dec. 21.

The Ottawa City Council placed its annual tax levy, requesting a 7.2% increase in property tax collections but projecting that the city’s tax rate will continue to decline.

The Ottawa City Council got a closer look at the Illinois & Michigan Canal’s restoration efforts during a presentation by the Ottawa Canal Association on Tuesday night.

The Ottawa City Council approved a series of annexations in the Fields Hill subdivision, bringing several north-side homes officially into the city.

Selection is based on ACT or SAT scores and other academic criteria. Illinois State Scholars typically rank in the top 10% of their graduating class.

OSF HealthCare’s consolidation plan will officially start its inpatient obstetrics and intensive care services from Ottawa to Peru on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Eric Strasser has been in the Will County jail since April 17 on a charge of the first-degree murder of his wife, Rosy Strasser on May 1, 2024, in Lockport.

Experience a Victorian Christmas as the Reddick Mansion in Ottawa.

The Ottawa City Council will take the next steps on bringing parts of the Fields Hill subdivision into the city along with dealing with the city’s tax levy during their meeting on Tuesday night.

Luke McLachlan, a registered nurse with OSF HealthCare Ottawa Hospice, has been honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses after helping calm a distressed hospice patient and her family, OSF announced in a news release.

Milton Pope School in Marseilles has announced its November Students of the Month for Citizenship.

Eight Seneca High School seniors have been named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Helmar Lutheran Church will host a kumla fundraiser dinner from 4:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at 11935 Lisbon Road.

Seneca High School named its October students of the month.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 23-29. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Heavy snow continues to fall across the Illinois Valley on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Roads are snow-covered. A total of 7-11 inches of snow is possible for the region with higher amounts further west.

A storm with accumulating snow blanketing Northern Illinois started early Saturday morning and is expected to continue through the evening with peak snowfalls in the late afternoon.

McKinley Elementary School in Ottawa announced its November 2025 Champion of the Charter students.

While police said an Ottawa man was arrested on a charge of attempted murder of a Will County sheriff’s deputy in Joliet, that was not among the charges in an indictment filed on Wednesday.

Shepherd Middle School in Ottawa has announced its honor roll students for the first trimester of the 2024-25 school year.

The JOY group for senior men and women will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Park Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Vermillion St., Streator.

Marquette Academy Elementary Campus has announced its honor roll students for the first quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Join the Prairie Singers as they celebrate the season with a heartwarming blend of secular and sacred music that captures the spirit of Christmas.

The parade steps off at 6 p.m. in downtown Ottawa.

The La Salle County Board observed a moment of silence Wednesday for Tom Walsh, an Ottawa Democrat who served the county for decades both from his home city and in Springfield. The 80-year-old passed away Nov. 19.

Poco a Poco recently welcomed three new board members to its board of directors for 2025-2026.

Hey Sweetie, a candy and ice cream store in downtown Ottawa will soon close its doors.

The Reddick Public Library District, 1010 Canal St., Ottawa, will host several programs and events in December.

A Servant’s Heart, an Ottawa nonprofit organization, hosted its annual Thanksgiving lunch on Tuesday to feed the community.

Shaw Local Radio recently held its Coats for Kids Drive for community members and listeners to winter clothing including donate mittens, scarves, hats, and coats.

Judge Michelle Vescogni sentenced 23-year-old Logan Petre of Marseilles on Monday Nov. 24, 2025 at the La Salle County Government Complex in Ottawa. In September, Vescogni found Petre guilty of 3 counts of murder after a bench trial.

The Ottawa Freedom Association will display 16 paintings of the life of Christ at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in Washington Square Park, 101 E. Lafayette St., Ottawa.

City of Ottawa Commissioner Marla Pearson recently announced Republic Services will remove yard and garden waste bins on Monday, Dec. 1.

Two local high school seniors have been recognized as November students of the month by the Sunrise Rotary Club.

Ottawa Township High School hosted its quarterly Student Recognition Breakfast on Nov. 14 to honor students nominated by faculty and staff for exceptional character and classroom work.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 16-22. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation hosted an Illinois Valley Quilts of Valor ceremony on Wednesday at the Illinois Valley Community College Ottawa Center.

OSF HealthCare will move its inpatient obstetrics and intensive care services from Ottawa to Peru by Dec. 3, 2025 - a faster timeline than many in the community expected.

The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation recently celebrated Community Foundation Week from Wednesday, Nov. 12, through Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Despite drawing a large public turnout, OSF HealthCare’s consolidation plan cleared its final hurdle on Tuesday night - a decision that local officials said left them disappointed and worried about the future of care in Ottawa and surrounding towns.

The IDPH state board voted to approve OSF’s consolidation plan on Tuesday night in Bolingbrook, despite a strong effort from communities on the east side of La Salle County.

The people who run food pantries in the Illinois Valley will (mostly) meet their Thanksgiving goals. And, oh, are they grateful. But the pantries need more help to meet the growing need for Christmas food.

Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator Susan Glassman will offer a program for community members to learn how to create their own holiday charcuterie board.

Ottawa Township High School selected four sophomores as student ambassadors to represent the school at the 2026 Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program.

The Ottawa City Council will vote on storm sewer construction, a watermain replacement and more annexations tied to the Fields Hill subdivision in north Ottawa during their meeting on Tuesday night.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Nov. 9-15. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

Two men were charged with multiple crimes after a pair of police pursuits in Ottawa and Morris.

Audiences will notice some real magic inside Stage 212 now that the La Salle theater has undergone major improvements. And what better way to showcase the overhaul than with a little on-stage magic?

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board will meet Tuesday, Nov. 18, to vote on OSF HealthCare’s consolidation plan and whether or not St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa can keep its obstetrics and intensive care units open.

A new locally produced documentary will bring to life the story of one of the Illinois Valley’s most notable Civil War figures, General W.H.L. Wallace.