Local Headlines

OTTAWA – Flu activity remains high across the nation, including Illinois. According to a weekly flu report released Friday by the U.S Centers for Disease Control, 48 states including Illinois reported widespread activity. Compared to minimal flu activity last year, Illinois ranks as one

MORRIS – A Morris man was found dead in his apartment with stab wounds to his body, according to the Grundy County Coroner’s Office. 65-year-old Daniel Smiley, was found dead in his apartment Friday morning. Preliminary investigation indicates Smiley sustained multiple stab wounds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A leading Illinois business advocate says Gov. J.B. Pritzker has it “backward” in trying to solve the state’s fiscal crisis with a graduated income tax plan. Todd Maisch is president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. He says Pritzker’s

OTTAWA – Bridges in Ottawa will have their routine inspections soon. Two bridges on Post Street north of Prairie Street, one on Champlain Street and another one on east Main Street over the Fox River will be examined. Commissioner Less says this will not affect traffic and is expected to be

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — A man suspected of fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy and wounding a woman at a Rockford hotel was taken into custody Thursday after an hours-long standoff that began when he crashed his vehicle along an interstate highway, authorities said. 39-year-old Floyd E.

MARSEILLES – No serious injuries were reported after a vehicle crashed into a house in Marseilles, Wednesday morning. According to Marseilles Police Chief Brian Faber, the crash occurred just after 6 a.m. when a vehicle failed to curve to a guard rail on east Bluff and Jefferson streets,

OGLESBY – Prime mating season for local birds has begun, which means we can expect to see more eagles soar across the Illinois Valley. Lisa Sons, Natural Resource Coordinator for Starved Rock and Matheissen Park says eagles are currently nesting preparing to drop their eggs. Typically,

BETHALTO, Ill. (AP) — Authorities say a fire captain has died and three other firefighters were injured following a partial collapse of a burning home in southern Illinois. The Godfrey Fire Protection District says Jacob “Jake” Ringering suffered serious injuries when part of the

OTTAWA – LaSalle County voters will have the opportunity to express their opinions on a sales tax referendum at a series of get togethers.  Earlier this year, the LaSalle County Board approved putting a one quarter of one percent sales tax increase on the April 2nd ballot. Informational

CHICAGO (AP) — Federal prosecutors agreed Wednesday to drop all felony corruption charges against former Rep. Aaron Schock if he pays tens of thousands to the IRS and campaign committees, a dramatic reversal the Illinois Republican said proved he was targeted by a prosecutor looking for