Local Headlines

OTTAWA – Plans were finalized and approved for Thornton Park improvements. On Tuesday night, the city council approved the master plan for the park that would include upgrades like a splash pad and pickle ball courts. The city is applying for an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development

WASHINGTON  –  A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System is scheduled for Wednesday around 1:20PM.  The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission will perform the test, which will be similar to the ones that radio stations are required to

  PRINCETON – The community gathered for a night of fun, education, and entertainment at the National Night Out in Princeton Tuesday night.  The Princeton Police Department and the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office were on hand along with other community organizations to promote

  MENDOTA – Mendota’s city council voted against raising the age for the purchase and use of tobacco products. A 3-3 split lead Mayor David Boelk to vote and determine whether the amendment would pass. Boelk said of course, he votes no. The ordinance would have raised the age

MENDOTA – Mendota is implementing burn restrictions due to dry weather. According Fire Chief Dennis Rutishauser, the city will place a restricted burn status at the city burn pit. Rutishauser says it is not a district burn ban. Fire chiefs in the area as well as conservation police are

  PEORIA  – The City of Princeton voted at its August 5th meeting in favor of Perry Memorial Hospital formally beginning a process to consider a variety of partnership options with OSF HealthCare. Perry Memorial Hospital has been an independent affiliate of OSF HealthCare since 2007,

OTTAWA  – OSF HealthCare donated $1,225 to Streator Township High School athletic programs. This donation is a result of the sports physical fundraiser that took place at Streator Township High School on May 23. “Our partnership with Streator High School has brought our community closer

PRINCETON – A train carrying sand derailed Monday in Bureau County, tumbling ten cars onto their sides. No injuries were reported at the scene just west of Zearing. Crews from BNSF were assessing the damage and there was no word on how long repairs to the rails would take. Exclusive video

PERU – Peru City Council approved a motion to allow the city engineer to take bids for the road improvement project at North Peoria Street. City Engineer Eric Carls explained that the overall improvement project, which includes adding a roundabout at the intersection of Plank Road and

PERU – Alderman discussed future plans for a public pool at Monday night’s City Council meeting in Peru. City Engineer Eric Carls explained that the city will first be looking at the costs for a pool and then will be looking into a conceptual design. He explained that Phase 1 of the