The City of Ottawa has passed a new ordinance requiring all vacant buildings and properties within city limits to be registered as of Oct. 1.

Starting Monday, Sept. 29, E 28th Road will be closed for bridge repairs. The bridge is located three-quarters of a mile south of N 32nd Road in Miller Township, about five miles north of Seneca.

The Reddick Public Library District in Ottawa is hosting a variety of free events for all ages the week of Sept. 28 through Oct. 4.

Ottawa High School held its annual homecoming parade on Wednesday in downtown Ottawa.

‘Lincoln’s Ottawa: Stories from Valley View’ take guests on a tour of several historic sites in the Illinois Valley related to Abraham Lincoln.

The magazine profiles notable figures such as Brig. Gen. W.H.L. Wallace of Ottawa, who was killed at Shiloh, and Brevet Maj. Gen. T.E.G. Ransom of Peru, a four-time wounded favorite of Grant and Sherman who died of disease in Georgia just before his 30th birthday.

Five of the seven matchups involving Times-area football teams will be home games in Week 5 of the IHSA football season, including key matchups in the Chicagoland Prairie for Seneca and Marquette.

A 20-year-old man was treated and released from the hospital after being shot early Wednesday morning in Ottawa, police said.

A grand opening was held for U.S. Silica’s Rochelle Innovation Center on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at 1951 S. Steward Road in Rochelle.

Dogs and their owners are invited to Washington Square Park in Ottawa on Saturday, Sept. 27, for the annual Bill’s Barktoberfest.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for Sept. 14-20. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The LaSalle County Health Department confirmed that mosquitoes collected in Dayton and Naplate tested positive for West Nile virus, officials said.

With a new garden in its first year, the project has given inmates in the drug treatment program a chance to learn new skills and take pride in their work.

Here is the list of couples who applied for La Salle County marriage licenses from Sept. 1 through Sept. 12, 2025.

A Spring Valley woman charged in the 2023 shooting death in Ottawa will not stand trial this month – and the window for her to stand trial this year is closing fast.

Cities across the Illinois Valley are hauling in big retail sales figures. But is the economy booming? City officials say the inflated totals have more to do with how Springfield collects taxes.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Here is a schedule of prep sporting events in the Ottawa/Streator/Seneca area for the coming week.

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

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.

The presentation, titled “Jolliet and Marquette’s Epic 1673 Journey,” will highlight the significance of the voyage as a precursor to later explorations in North America.

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 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.

Plein air painting, which derives its name from the French term for “painting outdoors,” originated in the 19th century when artists began leaving their studios to capture natural light and scenery firsthand.

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.

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 600 block of Bellevue Avenue in Ottawa was closed Tuesday for an emergency sewer repair, city officials announced on Tuesday.

United Way of Eastern LaSalle County will celebrate 87 years of community support and partnership with United Way Day on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. in Washington Square Park in Ottawa.

Stage 212 needs two things to finish its remodeling of the Robert Manahan Theatre in La Salle. First, they need a little luck the next contractor comes in when scheduled. Second, they need cash.

Green Street from Chapel Street north to Old Chicago Road in Ottawa will reopen to traffic at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, the city announced on Monday.

More from the Ottawa, Seneca, Marquette and Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland sidelines in The Times Week 2 Football Notebook.

Led by a strong junior class, the La Salle-Peru co-op girls swim team hopes to improve on its sectional finish, qualify swimmers for state and win as many meets as possible.

A schedule of high school sporting events in the Ottawa/Streator area for the coming week

Family members, caregivers and supporters gathered Saturday in support of those with Alzheimer’s in Ottawa for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ahmed Eldib started seeing patients at Morris Hospital Orthopedics & Sports Medicine’s Ottawa office in early August, bringing advanced hip and knee surgical expertise to the community.

The season opener will take place at 7 p.m. at Central School, 711 E. McKinley Road, Ottawa. The Sidekicks’ show combines popular songs from the era with nostalgic pop culture references.

Open Table United Church of Christ, in partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church, will host a free concert featuring folk/pop musician Bobby Jo Valentine at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the sanctuary of Trinity Lutheran Church, 717 Chambers St., Ottawa.

The Illinois Valley Sportscard and Collectibles Show will return next week on Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Peru Mall.

SRCCF has continued to create opportunities for artists and arts organizations across La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties. SRCCF’s component fund, the Arts of Starved Rock Country, is the primary driver of this, according to a SRCCF news release.

Week 2 in The Times coverage area includes the on-field debuts of Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland and Dwight, Marquette's home opener and Streator visiting Ottawa to continue the state's third-oldest rivalry.

Illinois Valley residents are invited to take part in the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Jordan Block in downtown Ottawa.