Local Headlines

OTTAWA – The Illinois River has crested in most areas across North Central Illinois, and damage has been kept to a minimum in part due to recent floods in 2018 and the all time record flooding in 2013, where waters were nearly three foot higher than today. Health departments are warning

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Department of Agriculture received nearly 400 applications to grow or process industrial hemp in the first 24 hours after they became available. Agriculture officials said Wednesday they received 295 applications to grow the plant on 7,100 acres.  Another

PONTIAC – The Vermillion River has continued to rise over the past several days. At 2:45 p.m. this afternoon the level was 17.14 feet. According to Pontiac’s Police Department, even though at the present time the date suggests that a crest is near, residents of flood plain areas are

  UTICA – Businesses in the Village of North Utica began evacuating, Thursday. The village council declared a state of emergency due to rising waters on the Illinois River, Wednesday. While there has been no official evacuation, Mayor David Stewart left it up to businesses to decide.

  Flooding Closures at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks -May 2nd, 2019 until further notice. The lower parking lot and boat ramp at the west entrance to the park along Route 178-CLOSED  The Red River trail leading from the Visitor Center out to French

OTTAWA – The Ottawa Police Department on Wednesday received information that a Maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee with Illinois plate “BB25803″ was allegedly in the area attempting to recruit members of the homeless community to pass counterfeit bills at local establishments.  They ask if

CHICAGO (AP) — Jussie Smollett’s publicist says the actor doesn’t intend to be at a hearing on whether a special prosecutor will be appointed to investigate prosecutors’ dismissal of charges against him. Smollett was charged with felony disorderly conduct over allegations he

MARSEILLES – The Illinois River is expected to crest Thursday afternoon, and officials in Marseilles are keeping a watchful eye on how high the waters will rise. Plans are in place for portions of the community to undergo a mandatory evacuation if the river reaches 24.6 feet according to

NAPLATE – Multiple area ambulance crews arrived at the LaSalle County Nursing Home on Dee Bennett Road once the decision was made late Wednesday to evacuate the facility. In a statement, the nursing home thanked those who helped move everyone as comfortably as possible. OSF St. Elizabeth

STREATOR – With flood warnings in effect,  many rivers and streams in the area have left their banks, including Otter Creek around Marilla Park northeast of Streator.   We flew over the park today to give a close up view of the flooding.   Rain showers are expected to continue off and