Local Headlines

PAW PAW – Roger’s Park on Chicago Road in Paw Paw added new playground equipment thanks to volunteers over the weekend.   The existing swingsets were joined by a new climbing structure featuring slides for the town to enjoy.   Village President Michael Torman said this project was about

BLOOMINGTON – The following is a statement from Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert, Jr., regarding the USDA’s declaration of an agriculture disaster in all 102 Illinois counties. “Most of this year has tested Illinois farmers’ mental and physical fortitude. Weather

  UNDATED – Deere & Co. cut its profit expectations for the second time this year as beleaguered farmers and an escalating trade war with China cut into sales. Widespread and heavy flooding severely delayed planting this year for thousands of farmers. In the 18 states that grow

  The  Illinois State Police are reminding motorists that area schools are opening their doors to begin the new school year. The start of the school year means an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic around schools. Motorists need to be watchful of slowed or stopped school buses,

MENDOTA – Emily Kofoid, director of the Graves-Hume public library in Mendota spoke at the District 289 School Board meeting Thursday to talk about how a grant facilitated students outside of the city limits of Mendota to get library cards.  The grant enabled 102 library cards to be issued

UTICA – The weekend gathering at Carey Memorial Park in Utica to celebrate pork continues as Pork Fest rolls into its second day. Sunday festivities kick off at noon with a performance by Ottawa Dance Academy and the band Free Range Chickens starting at 3 PM. The kids zone will be in action

SPRING VALLEY – A Spring Valley couple has died after a crash Friday in Putnam County. The Putnam County Sheriff’s office say that 62-year-old Laurence E. Sieg was turning north on to Illinois 89 from North 1250th Road when his vehicle was struck on the drivers side by a 17-year-old

MENDOTA- The sound of remote control boats will fill the air this weekend as the Minute Breakers Classic returns to Lake Mendota.  Mike Zaborowski came from Wisconsin to compete in the event, which will see the small nitro-methane powered boats reach speeds up to 90 MPH.   This is the 19th year

OTTAWA – OSF HealthCare received a $50,000 grant to support a redesign of Mobile Integrated Health in Streator. The vision is for the redesigned Mobile Integrated Health to be an innovative and evolving model of community-based health care designed to provide more effective and efficient

  BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The Native American tribe leading the fight against the Dakota Access oil pipeline wants a judge to resolve all legal challenges to federal permits issued for the project. The Standing Rock Sioux filed a motion for summary judgment in federal court Friday. The tribe