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Some juries deliberate for days. A jury in Ottawa Tuesday took about 10 minutes to return its verdict. The jury found 27-year-old Ryan Johnson of Mendota guilty of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. He will be sentenced in La Salle County January 24th. Johnson was initially charged...

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Was it abandoned? Was it lost by accident?. Staff archaeologist Amy Rosebrough first asked the questions two years ago when a team of divers excavated a 1,200-year-old canoe out of Lake Mendota. Less than a year later, jaws dropped again when a 3,000-year-old canoe was retrieved...

Bureau Junction's historical significance is deeply rooted in the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal in the 19th century. This monumental engineering project, completed in 1848, served as a crucial link between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, igniting the Midwest's development. The town's strategic location was vital for the canal's construction and operation, attracting a workforce that included many Irish immigrants, whose labor was central to the region's burgeoning economy.

Sentencing has been handed down in a Marseilles stabbing case. Fifty-nine-year-old Terry Clark of Davenport, Iowa, formerly of Marseilles, pleaded guilty in court Thursday to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was given two years in prison. As part of the plea deal, a misdemeanor aggravated assault charge against Clark was dismissed.

Prison awaits a man who fired shots at a moving vehicle outside an adult establishment in Ottawa. Thirty-six-year-old Jonathan Caffey of Naperville pleaded guilty to aggravated discharge of a firearm. He was sentenced Thursday to 5 years in prison. Back in late August of 2021, police in Ottawa were called...

LaSalle County, IL – An 18-year-old male was found deceased in a residence on the 2200 block of Washington Street in La Salle, Illinois, early on Thanksgiving afternoon. LaSalle police responded to the scene around 12:45 PM. The La Salle County Coroner’s office was also dispatched to the location. Authorities have indicated that there are no suspicions of foul play at this time.

The 82nd anniversary of the Day of Infamy will be marked Saturday along the riverfront in Peru. For the 44th year, the Peru Veterans Memorial Group will hold a Pearl Harbor Day parade and memorial service. Veterans will parade from the Peru Rescue Station to the South Shore Boat Club. You'll also see the Peru Municipal Band, flyovers, a wreath-laying, and a 21-gun salute.

Have you been contemplating pet adoption, or simply love perusing adorable pets? A myriad of delightful pets are available for adoption at various animal shelters in the vicinity of princeton..

In the quiet embrace of Bureau and LaSalle counties lies the village of Dalzell, Illinois, a small town with a monumental history that has withstood the test of time. Officially founded in 1901 and incorporated in 1904, Dalzell's very existence is a tribute to the coal mining industry that once thrived in the heart of America. Named after mining tycoon Samuel M. Dalzell, this village originated from the No. 5 Mine Camp, where miners and their families sought prosperity through the arduous work of extracting coal.

The new year will bring the reopening of some medical clinics in the Illinois Valley. An announcement was made Tuesday morning that OSF HealthCare will have former St. Margaret's Health medical clinics in Spring Valley and Oglesby back open in January along with a Women's Healthcare Clinic in Peru. The clinic in Spring Valley is targeted for a January 11th opening while the OSF clinic in Oglesby will be up and running January 16th. The tentative opening for the OB clinic is January 9th. There's no exact reopening date for the hospital in Peru but CEO of the Western Region of OSF HealthCare AJ Querciagrossa did say “there's a lot of work to be done in the next 90 days”.

Each year, Cedar Point, Illinois, brims with a festive spirit as the Frontier Festival, also known as the Cedar Point Festival, rolls into town. From May 25 through June 18, 2023, this annual event is not just a cavalcade of fun but is also a beacon of hope and community support. The streets of Frontier Town come alive with live music, interactive games, and the aroma of over 65 unique corn-inspired dishes. The festival highlights Cedar Point's rich cultural heritage, offering a cornucopia of activities that engage all senses and age groups.

It’s time to light the lights of the Tree of Hope at Horizon House in Peru. The tall, pine tree has long been a symbol of the Horizon House’s fundraiser to help adults with disabilities. The goal this year is to light 1,200 bulbs on the tree. A bulb is lit for every 50 dollars of money they receive, so that would mean raising $60,000. Donations less than 50 dollars will be added together. You can donate money to their cause by sending it by mail or dropping it off at the Horizon House on Plank Road just north of Shooting Park Road. Folks with the Horizon House are hoping to light up the entire tree by Christmas.

A La Salle bakery is getting statewide recognition. Millstone Bakery is one of 48 small businesses or “Makers” inducted into the Illinois Made program. Each year, the Illinois Office of Tourism picks a group of small businesses that exemplify authentic experiences and innovative products. Millstone Bakery specializes in...

Are you in the market for a used dump truck? Maybe a snow blade, or a printer?. The City of Princeton is holding a sealed-bid auction of a number of used items in various states of repair. Fourteen lots are up for sale. You can bid on any amount of lots, but the city is only accepting one lot per sealed bid. All items will go to the highest bidder. Bids are due by Monday, December 11.

It's almost time to light up Peru. The city's 3rd annual Lighted Christmas Parade starts at 5 this Saturday. The route begins at Washington Park and ends downtown at City Hall. After the parade, kids can talk with Santa and enjoy refreshments and gifts. If you'd like to be in...

Toyne—Amboy (IL) Fire Protection District pumper-tanker. Spartan Metro Star cab and chassis; Cummins L9 450-hp engine; Waterous CSU 1,500-gpm pump; UPF Poly 1,500-gallon water tank; 25-gallon foam cell; FoamPro 1600 Class A foam system; TFT XFT-NJ monitor with 18-inch extension; Command Light KL415D-W2 light tower. Dealer: Orin Snodgrass, Dinges Fire Company, Amboy, IL.

Cold and windy conditions continues to create hazardous roadways. Putnam County authorities on Monday put out an alert saying the Route 89 corridor was hazardous for travel. At one time, the sheriff's office was handling three accidents on that stretch of highway. A trucker called Starved Rock Media Monday afternoon saying 89, from the 71 junction north to Toedter Oil was a sheet of ice. He added that 89 between Ladd and Cherry was also treacherous.

Score one for the hunters. The amount of deer shot down in Bureau, La Salle and Putnam counties during the opening weekend of firearm deer season is up from a year ago. In Bureau County, 695 deer met their maker between November 17th and the 19th. That's almost a hundred more than a year ago.

Illinois Valley music lovers are in for a treat next week when all of IVCC’s music ensembles perform in four separate holiday concerts. The Choir opens the week on Monday, Dec. 4, followed by the Jazz Ensemble on Tuesday, Dec. 5. The Piano & Guitar Student Music Recital will be Wednesday, Dec. 6, followed by the Wind Ensemble concert on Thursday, Dec. 7. All the concerts start at 7 p.m. and take place in the Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg Cultural Centre. Admission to all is free.

Nestled in the heart of Bureau County, Illinois, Hollowayville holds the esteemed title of being the oldest village in the region. This small yet historically significant village was established in the 1800s, and despite its population of just 36 residents as of the 2020 census, it boasts a rich history that resonates with both locals and historians. Hollowayville's origins can be traced back to German immigrants, who, following the 1848 revolutions, sought refuge and a fresh start in the land of liberty.