Local Headlines

STREATOR – The Streator Fire Department and other emergency services are following health department protocols to avoid the spread of illness. Streator Fire Chief Gary Bird reported to city council on Thursday that dispatchers are asking callers pertinent questions relating to the

STREATOR – Medical marijuana cultivators that were granted a special use permit to operate and John and Joe’s Florist in Streator are looking to expand. On Thursday, city council approved an additional special use permit for Llerem, Illinois Inc. to operate another adult-use cannabis

CHICAGO (AP) — Republicans are renewing calls to suspend Illinois’ automatic voter registration program as state officials disclosed continued problems affecting people who applied for REAL ID’s. More than 1,000 people who should’ve been automatically registered to vote were

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, DePaul, Northwestern and Illinois State universities have decided to suspend in-person classes due to coronavirus fears. The schools on Wednesday joined colleges and universities around the U.S. that have announced a halt

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois General Assembly has canceled scheduled legislative sessions next week to limit the possibility of spreading COVID-19 among large groups. Gov. J.B. Pritzker confirmed the canceled Springfield meeting days in a Chicago news conference Wednesday during which

NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have tested positive for the coronavirus, the actor said in a statement Wednesday. Hanks said the couple were in Australia and felt tired, with colds, body aches and slight fevers.  The Oscar-winner said in a statement: “To play things right, as

MENDOTA – The two full sized basketball courts located at Strouss Park in Mendota have incurred some damage over the last few weeks.   The damage is not bad enough to prevent play, but the volunteers with the Optimist and the Lions Club say the cost to replace the broken tiles are diverting

PERU – The city of Peru’s street ratings system is out and up to seven streets in each ward are proposed for maintenance this year. The Pavement Surface Evaluation and Rating system program was completed by Peru’s engineering department in the winter 2019, evaluating every

LASALLE – The city of LaSalle’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be the biggest yet. Around 100 floats and four different marching bands will be parading along First Street in downtown LaSalle on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Parade route starts at Bucklin & 2nd Streets. There will be

SPRINGFIELD – The first day to complete the 2020 Census online is Thursday. The Illinois Department of Human Services says the online questionnaire is the easiest way to get counted and can be accessed from a smart phone, tablet, computer and terminals at local libraries. The census is nine