Local Headlines

MENDOTA- The teachers union and  District 289 failed to reach an agreement on Tuesday evening after a seven hour long negotiation that lasted until after midnight.  Parents were being notified that school will not be in session on Wednesday morning for the elementary and middle schools in

SPRING VALLEY – A Tuesday afternoon combine fire in Bureau County was quickly extinguished.   According to the Spring Valley Fire Department they were called to 3450 E County Road for a field and equipment fire.   They found upon arrival light smoke in the rear of the harvester and a

MORRIS – A Grundy County Sheriff’s squad car was reportedly stolen Monday after a burglary.   The Morris Police Department say that they are investigating a purported residential burglary around 4AM at the residence of a deputy where several items, including a firearm, were taken.   The

  KERNAN – Begining Wednesday, County Highway 15 grade crossing over the BSF in Kernan will be closed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for railroad maintenance. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes around the site. Detours will not be posted.

  STREATOR – Streator’s council is debating on whether to enforce the city’s fence code or amend it to allow up to a 6 foot high privacy fence in limited situations. According to City Engineer Jeremy Palm, the current code doesn’t allow fencing over 4 feet, however

  STREATOR – Waste Management Services is proposing a rate increase in the city of Streator. Due to the motor fuel tax increase and China’s disruption of the export market for recyclables, the waste service says they plan to increase fees. According to a letter by Waste

  CHICAGO (AP) — Southwest Airlines has evacuated a flight over a hydraulic issue that cropped up after landing at Chicago’s Midway International Airport. Southwest tells reporters that the Monday flight from Austin, Texas, had an issue with a redundant system that powers the main

    EQUALITY, Ill. (AP) — Peabody Energy says it will permanently close a southern Illinois coal mine and a nearby coal-processing plant late this year. The company said Monday that the planned closure of its Wildcat Hills Mine and the nearby Willow Lake Preparation Plant will affect

OTTAWA – Saturday will be the last day the Secretary of State office in Ottawa will be open.  In a news release on Tuesday they say that due to the lease not being renewed on the property they will close permanently.    Other nearby locations in LaSalle, Streator, Mendota and Morris will

PERU – Aldermen at Peru City Council discussed potential plans regarding the Water Street electrical substation at Monday night’s meeting. Representatives from BHMG Engineers spoke to the council about the need for an update at the current substation, which is located in a flood prone