Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for May 17-23. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

The Streator library is hosting a week of activities for kids and families June 1–6.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists are inviting the community to listen to bats.

Ottawa Township High School held its annual commencement ceremony in Kingman Gymnasium on Friday, May 22, 202 at Ottawa High School.

The open house features DAR speakers. Coffee, cake and water will be served.

Ottawa Township High School recognized 64 seniors in the graduating class of 2026 for their awarded scholarships at its 2026 Honors Night event on Wednesday, May 6.

The Reddick Public Library District in Ottawa will host several events and programs in June.

Weatherford was selected for the honor from the Ottawa Township High School Social Science department.

The new restaurant brings waterfront dining, live music and coastal cuisine to the Illinois Valley area.

Illinois Valley Community College announced the creation of the Roger Hustis Memorial Scholarship in honor of former Ottawa Dental Laboratory employee Roger Hustis.

A Mendota woman was recognized for nearly four decades of service at OSF HealthCare as part of National Health Care Week.

A nurse at OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center in Mendota was recognized for providing compassionate care during a patient’s final moments.

Illinois Valley residents may participate in one of the local Memorial Day observances in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Commissioner Marla Pearson said the city appreciates the community’s patience as staff prepares the facility.

The University of Illinois Extension will hold a Grilling and Summertime Salads program series for residents to learn about ideas and practical tips for healthy summer meals.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer community members an Accessible Hike from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Nell’s Woodland in Ottawa.

The University of Illinois Extension will hold a free cyanotype workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 6, at Nell’s Woodland.

The 6th Annual Kites in Flight festival was held on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Peck in Ottawa. Check out photos from the event by MaKade Rios.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for May 10-16. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

A single-family home in Earlville that sold for $485,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County during the past week

Nell’s Woodland in Ottawa is currently accepting applications for its “Art in Nature” Young Artist Mentorship program, set from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12.

Seniors Andrea Espinoza, Kathysha Perez and Xina Perez earned the Seal, and seniors Perla Gutierrez and Paul Stallman received the Commendation of the Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes students making significant progress towards that proficiency.

Here is the list of La Salle County couples who applied for marriage licenses from May 1 through May 13, 2026.

The free events feature art, shopping, kids activities, food and drink specials and more in downtown Ottawa.

The Very Rev. Paul Carlson told Rauh that if she wanted to feed the hungry, then there’s no place like home to start. Carlson was the pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church, where Rauh is an active member, and people in need regularly knocked on the door seeking food donations.

Meet Joshua Jahn. His wife and two small children were struck and killed by a drunk driver in 2008. He's spent most of the past two decades speaking to DUI convicts and getting them to rethink their decisions.

A 23-year-old Streator man was killed Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash near Kinsman.

The La Salle County Home and Community Education Association named Lilliana Bernabei and Finn Rosengren as the recipients of its 2026 scholarship.

The breakfast recognizes and rewards students nominated by faculty and staff for their exceptional character throughout the school and for their work in the classroom.

OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center will host a community blood drive Tuesday, May 26, seeking donations to support local hospital blood supplies.

The Ottawa Noon Rotary Club will hold its annual BBQ Drive-Through Fundraiser from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at Lincoln Place in downtown Ottawa.

The Reddick Mansion will offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families this summer as part of the Blue Star Museums program.

The La Salle County Genealogy Guild will host a presentation on DNA testing and genealogy research Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m. at guild headquarters.

Catch up on the week’s top Illinois Valley news in minutes for May 3-9. Hear the week’s 5 most popular stories, read aloud for you

A single-family home in Ottawa that sold for $559,000 tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in La Salle County during the past week.

More than 800 runners competed in the Starved Rock Country marathon on Saturday, May 9, racing through downtown Ottawa, Utica and Starved Rock State Park. Full-marathon runners started and ended in downtown Ottawa, while half-marathon runners began in Utica and finished in downtown Ottawa.

The Wallace Warrior Games were held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Wallace Grade School. The unified event promoted inclusiveness, friendships and fun. 25 schools and over 400 kids from La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties participated in the event.

The Dr. Joseph J. Hohner Scholarship Committee has awarded $59,200 in scholarships to 38 students for the 2026-2027 school year, with individual awards ranging from $600 to $5,000.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer three free dial gauge pressure canner testing days to help ensure home canning process safety.

The $1 million funding from the “2025 Community Project Funding Request” will help the City of Streator replace the bridges starting in the fall of 2027, with an expected completion time of summer 2028.

Jobst Monuments is a goldmine for anyone looking for lawn and garden items, and the interior of the shop is just as beautiful with its original floors.

From packed tour buses to rising conversion numbers, clergy across Illinois say the first American-born pope is energizing Catholics one year after his election

McKinley Elementary School in Ottawa announced its April Champions of the Charter students.

Ottawa Chiropractic recently welcomed associate chiropractor Gabrielle Peasley, D.C., to its staff effective Friday, May 1.

A La Salle County grand Jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments.

New research and Illinois doctors point to obesity, diabetes and smoking as key drivers behind a troubling rise in heart disease among younger adults

The 2026 competition marks the 40th time OTHS has placed in the top three in its class in the 54-year history of the IHSA Music Sweepstakes.

The city of Ottawa has revoked the liquor license for the Zeller Inn following a series of violations spanning more than a year, city officials announced on Monday.

In a protest advocating for workers' wages and the protection of the First Amendment, residents came to Washington Park in Ottawa. The protest was part of a nationwide movement, with Illinois Valley Indivisible organizing the event at Washington Park.

Letter carriers across Streator will collect non-perishable food donations on Saturday, May 9 as part of the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, an annual effort to combat food insecurity in communities nationwide.