Local Headlines

LASALLE – The identity of a body found in the Illinois River near Starved Rock State Park has been released. According to the Illinois State Police District 17 and the McLean County Coroner’s Office, 37-year-old Micheal J. Warmerdam of Wheaton was found dead on Saturday afternoon in

MENDOTA – Mendota City Council honored Alderman John Pierson at Monday night’s meeting. After a moment of silence for the alderman, who passed away on Thursday, Mayor David Boelk announced that there would be a mayoral appointment to the position within 60 days. Pierson had been serving

MENDOTA – Mendota Alderman announced at Monday night’s meeting that the city will move forward with hiring a new firefighter. Alderman Bill Hunt explained that he had been working with other aldermen and the Mayor and that they should have a recommendation for the position at the next

  STREATOR – The Majestic Theatre’s owner is looking to work with the city of Streator on restoration plans. Last week the city held a strategic planning session discussing topics like business redevelopment and the Majestic Theatre had some spotlight. Challenges regarding

STREATOR – First round inspections were completed for Streator’s new rental inspection program. 75 permits ranging from six months to three years until a next inspection were issued to property owners. City Engineer Jeremy Palm says only four owners were issued six-month permits

  OTTAWA – Buffalo Rock State Park could be getting a friend for Pebbles the bison this week. After Pebbles mother Holly was euthanized due to a serious illness in September, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been working to get an additional bison at Buffalo Rock to

  MORRIS –  The North Central Illinois Council of Governments will hold a free regional Census Complete Count training for community groups and local governments this week in Morris. Training from the Chicago Census Bureau will be this Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:30 am at the First

  CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — A teacher who rescued a caged puppy from drowning in a cold central Illinois lake over the weekend says the dog had been “clearly abused.” Bryant Fritz, who teaches middle school science at Next Generation School in Champaign, was preparing to fish

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Buffalo Wild Wings says multiple employees have been fired at one of its suburban Chicago restaurants after a group of mostly African American customers said they were asked to move to another table because of their skin color. The Naperville Sun reports Buffalo Wild

  CHICAGO (AP) — A judge has ordered that a 15-year-old boy suspected of shooting a 7-year-old Chicago trick-or-treater should remain in custody. The Chicago Tribune reports that Judge Patricia Mendoza issued her ruling at a hearing Monday during which prosecutors said they are seeking