Ottawa

A Marseilles man has been arrested on a complaint of aggravated arson following a Thursday morning fire, Captain James Buckingham said in a Thursday news release.

La Salle’s signature event, Celebration of Lights, tallied 21,409 vehicles driving through its gates, raising $143,726 in donations in 2024.

Watch the "Tarzan" musical, mini golf in a historic library, enjoy a Tom Petty cover band, go to a vinyl record show or take part in a trivia night this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

The La Salle County Genealogy Guild will be taking part in the History by the Dozen Tour, but only on Saturday, Feb. 15, and Monday, Feb. 17.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police have a valuable tool for winter rescues on the icy Illinois, Fox and Vermilion rivers.

Ottawa native Sharon Eschbach Coleman recently made a $50,000 donation to the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation’s Robert M. Eschbach Fund.

Students in third through fifth grades from Ottawa and Streator high school feeder schools will benefit from a $1,000 SRCCF community grant.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police officers conducted air boat training on ice Monday along the Fox River in Ottawa. The training provides officers experience so they can safely respond to emergencies in the winter.

The city attorney for Lockport will become a Will County circuit court judge in February. She will replace John Anderson, who was elected last year to the appellate court.

Nell’s Woodland and the University of Illinois Extension invites the community to attend a Winter Birding event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Nell’s Woodland, 2000 Alexis Ave., Ottawa.

Steven J. Brown of Ladd assumed the top job of Worshipful Master, as St. John’s Lodge No. 13 Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Peru held its 184th annual installation of officers during an open ceremony on Saturday at the Peru Masonic Center.

Third through sixth graders are invited to join the Reddick Public Library in Ottawa on Wednesday, Jan. 29, as participants make conductive dough to create circuits.

The Penguin Plunge was a successful fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Illinois, with participants taking frigid dives into the water at Skydive Chicago to raise money for the organization.

Here's a list of award-winning brunches in the Illinois Valley.

The Penguin Plunge fundraiser collected $106,000 to help Make-A-Wish grant wishes for children facing critical health issues.

Explore the beloved treat of chocolate. Many chocolates are considered indulgent, but some can offer health benefits when consumed mindfully.

Illinois Valley PADS is pleased to announce a $10,000 contribution by Midland States Bank. The grant, provided by the Midland States Bank Foundation, will support Illinois Valley PADS Ottawa Building Fund.

Chase away the winter chills with a bowl of soup.

The first history lecture of 2025 will be 2 p.m. Sunday Jan. 26, at the Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum, 1100 Canal St.

Visit one of these award-winning bakeries in the Illinois Valley to enjoy a freshly-baked pie for National Pie Day.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois will close four health centers in March, including the location in Ottawa.

Eagle Watch Weekend and Penguin Plunge highlight a weekend of activities in the Illinois Valley that include some Valentine's Day themed activities.

More, the Ottawa version of the popular Streator cafe More on Main, is already sporting a loyal clientele.

One of the Jan. 6 protesters pardoned on Monday is a La Salle County man who served part of an 18-month sentence.

The planning and design of the Ottawa rioverfront amphitheater and surrounding park took a step forward Tuesday.

Waterfalls, rivers and streams are completely frozen throughout the Illinois Valley as an Arctic blast brings frigid temperatures to the region.

With cold temperatures predicted Tuesday morning, schools in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties are taking precautions to keep students safe.

Newly inaugurated state Rep. Amy “Murri” Briel, D-Ottawa, introduced her first bill, which she said aims to investigate the challenges facing rural health care.

The following events in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties have been cancelled, and these businesses and organizations will be closed Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.

Illinois Valley Community College’s Oglesby and Ottawa Center campuses will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21, out of an abundance of caution because of the predicted dangerously cold temperatures.

While a new hospital is going to be built; why not build one that can service as many needs as possible of the local area?

Illinois Valley Community College campuses in Oglesby and Ottawa will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Rotary Club of Ottawa Sunrise selected the Seniors of the Month for January.

Reddick Library in Ottawa’s newest book club will meet Thursday, Jan 23.

A schedule of high school sporting events in the Ottawa/Streator area for the coming week of Jan 19-Jan. 25, 2025.

An appellate court upheld the pretrial detention of a former Joliet Outlaws motorcycle club member who for a second time is facing charges of killing a woman and hiding her body.

When the temperatures drop and the snow starts to fall, it’s the perfect time to indulge in a relaxing indoor activity.

A spring concert is returning to Ottawa.

Representatives of Open Table United Church of Christ and the Ottawa Center for the Arts met Wednesday to close on the sale of the church’s building to the OCA. 

Two Pilkington workers used their company's CPR training to save the life of a coworker suffering a heart attack.

An Ottawa woman who injured a baby that was not her own was sentenced Thursday to 30 months probation but also ordered to serve three months in jail.

A Marseilles man accused of running a stash house stocked with guns and drugs pleaded guilty Thursday to multiple felonies and was sentenced to eight years in prison.

After 28 years of service to the Ottawa Police Department, Police Chief Brent Roalson retired Wednesday, signing off one last time, giving a thumbs up and exiting his car to an applause from family and friends.

Through the generosity of several donors, more than $45,000 in scholarships will be available in 2025 from the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, including two new awards.

The Storytellers Studio Session, a Mad Hatter Ball, dinosaur-themed activities, swing music and a painting party are some activities this weekend in the Illinois Valley.

Deer Park Grade School announced its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.

In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the La Salle County Health Department is urging female residents to get screened for cervical cancer.

Rutland Grade School in rural Ottawa announced its honor roll for the second quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, and returned the following indictments.

During the recent cold snap, the Illinois River was frozen in portions between Ottawa and La Salle.