Local Headlines

LINCOLN, Ill. (AP) — A transgender inmate who received rare approval from Illinois prison authorities to move from a men’s to a women’s prison says she feels safe in the new accommodations.Strawberry Hampton said she no longer worries about being attacked for being a woman, media

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois officials have scheduled a public hearing on proposed regulations for industrial hemp production and processing. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will have the hearing at 1 p.m. Feb. 5 at the department’s John R. Block Building. People wishing to

CHICAGO (AP) — The dangerous cold and heavy snow that hobbled the northern U.S. this week has retreated, but not before exacting a human toll: more than two dozen weather-related deaths in eight states and hundreds of injuries, including frostbite, broken bones, heart attacks and carbon

PERU – The city of Peru’s public works department reported 2,000 tons of salt used during this winter season. Public Works Service Manager and Fire Chief Jeff King says the amount of salt used so far is equivalent to the total amount used for the entire winter season last year. King

OTTAWA – Widespread flu activity has taken over 45 states including Illinois, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Illinois, the department of public health reported over 30 ICU admissions for the last week of January and two pediatric deaths for the season total.

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Police say crime dropped dramatically in January to levels not seen in years. In a Friday news release, the department says January ended with 20 homicides — half as many as January 2018 and the lowest January total in 9 years. The number of shooting incidents — 100

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois dispensaries have begun to process applications for medical marijuana through a state pilot program that offers patients access to the drug as an alternative to opioids.  Enrollment in the state’s Opioid Alternative Pilot Program began Thursday. The

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — A Rockford Police Department commander has been identified as the off-duty officer who fired a gun during a traffic altercation Jan. 20. The Rockford Register-Star reports 20-year veteran and Assistant Deputy Chief Carla Redd was parked in a personal car and waiting for

CHICAGO (AP) — The Illinois Department of Public Health says at least 144 people made hospital emergency-room visits and one person has died due to cold-related injuries since Tuesday. Department spokesman Melaney Arnold said Thursday that there were at least 65 visits in Chicago and at least

OTTAWA – Local unemployment rates rank amongst the highest in the state, according to the Illinois Department of Unemployment. Bureau, Putnam, LaSalle and Marshall county range in the highest unemployment rates locally. Currently, LaSalle’s unemployment rate is at 7.2 percent, a