Local Headlines

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Agriculture released final harvest numbers from the 2020 hemp growing season. Hemp farmers reported 2,734 acres planted, with 1,278,000 pounds of flower, 39,000 pounds of seed, 8,500 pounds of grain and

SPRINGFIELD – Area libraries and schools have been awarded CARES Act Grants from Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White. Libraries could apply for grants to help purchase cleaning and PPE supplies to offset costs

EFFINGHAM – State Senator Darren Bailey announced on Monday that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for Governor. The downstate farmer from Xenia was elected to the state legislature in 2018 and represents the 55th district.

OTTAWA – An Ottawa woman is facing battery and deadly weapon charges after an investigation into an alleged stabbing Monday morning. The Ottawa Police Department say they were called to the 2100 block of Somerset Drive where

OGLESBY – Illinois Valley Community College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee announced five students have been selected as winners in the 2021 Honoring His Legacy: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Writing Contest. The

MENDOTA – Weeks of heavy snow accumulating on a gas station canopy led to its collapse Monday in Mendota.   The Mendota Fire Department was called around 2:30 PM to the station near I-39 and US Route

PERU – A rash of car burglaries is being investigated by the Peru Police Department. In a release on Monday, authorities say that the southwest section of town has seen an increase of unlocked cars being entered

STREATOR – The Sandy Ford Bridge carrying County Highway 5 over the Vermillion River will be closed for a few days while crews remove trees.  The LaSalle County Highway Department announced that beginning Monday at 6 AM

OGLESBY – A scholarship for students planning to teach in the fine arts has been established in memory of Christine Jordan Kalil. The $1,000 annual award will support students pursuing teaching careers in art, music, theatre or

SPRINGFIELD – After 10 Illinois State Police troopers being involved in Scott’s Law-related crashes since the beginning of 2021, officials are reminding drivers the importance to move over for stopped emergency vehicles. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse

PERU – A Peru man is facing drug charges after a Tri-County Drug Enforcement Narcotics Team raid on Thursday. According to TRI-dent, around 9 PM a search warrant was executed in the 1500 block of Walnut Street

OTTAWA – OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa was recognized by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois with a Blue Distinction® Centers for Maternity Care designation. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated hospitals that show