Closings and cancellations brought to you by:
North Central Illinois Update

Second Round of Paycheck Protection Program grants available
OTTAWA – The second round of Paycheck Protection Program grants are now available to first time and returning borrowers. According to the North Central Illinois Council of Governments, applications are open until March 31st. In an update

LaSalle, Livingston and Bureau County to allow limited indoor dining
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health on Sunday announced that Region 2, which includes Bureau, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston and Marshall Counties, has met the metrics to allow limited indoor dining. The Tier 1 restrictions allow

Recovered LaSalle County COVID-19 cases approach 6500
OTTAWA – The LaSalle County Health Department on Sunday announced 54 new infections have been identified among residents, along with 52 individuals now considered recovered from the novel coronavirus. The Health Department noted that since the pandemic

Stateville Correctional Officer charged with forgery
JOLIET – An Illinois Department of Corrections Officer working at the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet has been charged with three counts of Forgery. The Illinois State Police said on Saturday that 28-year-old François Kopca of Chicago

LaSalle home destroyed after Saturday night fire
LASALLE – A LaSalle home was destroyed after a fire Saturday night. The Lasalle Fire Department were called around 10 PM to the 800 Block of Oconor Ave for a fully involved structure fire. The two residents

IVCC adds social justice certificates to criminal justice program
OGLESBY – Illinois Valley Community College board on Thursday approved short-term criminal justice certificates in social justice, criminology and forensic science. The 21-credit social justice certificate is for students interested in racial disparity, unequal representation, government control

Blood drive coming to Mendota Tuesday
MENDOTA – The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center will be coming to a Mendota area church on Tuesday. Individuals who want to make a donation will need to register to schedule a time during the event at

IVCC joins four other colleges hopeful for manufacturing academy
OGLESBY – Illinois Valley Community College will join a four-college consortium vying for a $7.5 million Central Illinois Manufacturing Academy. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may choose the consortium’s grant application for the academy,

Latest stimulus arrives via debit card
WASHINGTON – The latest direct stimulus payment arrived via direct deposit to many Americans in the last few weeks, but for those who received the first round of payments via check are now receiving a debit card

Recovered cases outpace new COVID-19 infections in LaSalle County
OTTAWA – Recovered COVID-19 cases outpaced new infections in the latest update from the LaSalle County Health Department on Thursday. They announced 111 new individuals are now considered recovered from the novel coronavirus, ahead of the 85

Over 80 deaths attributed to COVID-19 announced by IDPH
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced 88 new COVID-19 deaths and 6,652 new confirmed and probable cases. Over 3500 Illinois residents were hospitalized battling the novel coronavirus, with 382 individuals on ventilators.

Three Bureau County men die from complications related to COVID-19
PRINCETON – Three more men from Bureau County have died from complications related to COVID-19. The Bureau, Putnam & Marshall County Health Departments announced Thursday that a man in his 50’s, a man in his 70’s and

One year since Ottawa woman went missing
OTTAWA – An Ottawa woman is still missing along the Illinois River after disappearing a year ago. Authorities say on January 14th, 2020, 45-year-old Tina M. Donovon possibly entered the water at Starved Rock State Park.

Lame Duck State Senate passes Criminal Justice Reform Act early Wednesday morning
SPRINGFIELD – After a late night the lame duck session of the Illinois Senate passed a modified version of House Bill 3653, The Criminal Justice Reform Act was approved by the Senate with a vote of 32-23.

Woodford County Sheriff’s Office warns of impersonation scam
EUREKA – The Woodford County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public that residents are receiving calls from persons claiming to be law enforcement and demanding payment. In many cases, the caller tells the victim that they have

Stock & Field closing Streator and Pontiac Stores
STREATOR – Stock & Field announced this week that they will be closing all 25 locations nationwide. The company CEO Matthew F. Whebbe released a statement on the company website that the retailer, formerly known as Big

NUT-Mobile to visit North Central Illinois
PERU – The Planters NUT-Mobile, a 26-foot long peanut on wheels, will be making stops across North Central Illinois and the first place it will visit will be Studstill Media. Tyler Towne, a LaSalle-Peru High School Graduate,

Illinois congressman tests COVID-19 positive after lockdown
CHICAGO (AP) — A Democratic congressman from Illinois who was forced to go into lockdown during last week’s deadly siege at the Capitol has tested positive for COVID-19. U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider issued a statement Tuesday saying

Red Cross teams with NFL to urge blood donation during National Blood Donor Month
OTTAWA – The American Red Cross has partnered with the NFL during National Blood Donor Month to not only help save lives, but give those donors a chance to win tickets to next year’s Super Bowl in

State Senator launches Valentine’s Cards for Seniors drive
MORRIS – An Illinois State Senator has launched a drive to collect Valentine’s Day cards for seniors in long term care facilities. Senator Sue Rezin of Morris is encouraging churches, schools, and community members of the 38th