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

OTTAWA – No injuries were reported after a driver allegedly drove around down gates at a railroad crossing in Ottawa. On Saturday authorities were called to the crossing at N2871st Road where they found a truck had been hit by the train. The driver reportedly stated that they had waited

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police officials say they were acting on intelligence when they seized more than 60 guns from a home on the city’s West Side. Police Lt. Jeff Schaaf says Friday that officers served a search warrant late Thursday at the home in the Lawndale neighborhood. He said

WHEELING, Ill. (AP) — A 43-year-old suburban Chicago man has been charged with attempted murder for shooting and wounding an Illinois state trooper who was serving a warrant at the man’s home. Authorities say Volodymyr Dragan of Wheeling shot the 32-year-old trooper about 6:30 p.m.

MENDOTA – The man who allegedly was involved with an incident involving gunfire in Mendota in early August was taken into custody in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Mendota Police Department say that on Friday 29-year-old Robert Bradley Trask surrendered himself without incident. He is currently