The Times - Shaw Local

My favorite call: Bold 2-point call in 1st coaching gig at Fieldcrest stands out for DeKalb’s Derek Schneeman In the first installment of our series looking at the favorite calls of football coaches' careers, current DeKalb coach Derek Schneeman reflects on the game-changing two-point conversion that secured a playoff victory in 2014 in his first year as a head coach with Fieldcrest.

In the first installment of our series looking at the favorite calls of football coaches' careers, current DeKalb coach Derek Schneeman reflects on the game-changing two-point conversion that secured a playoff victory in 2014 in his first year as a head coach with Fieldcrest.

Texas Democrats flee to Illinois to block vote on redrawn Texas House map backed by Trump Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker had been in quiet talks with Texas Democrats for weeks about offering support if they chose to leave the state to break quorum

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker had been in quiet talks with Texas Democrats for weeks about offering support if they chose to leave the state to break quorum

Bears training camp update: Offense comes out ‘sloppy’ at Family Fest practice The Chicago Bears' offense came out with what coach Ben Johnson called a sloppy performance Sunday at the team's Family Fest practice at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The Chicago Bears' offense came out with what coach Ben Johnson called a sloppy performance Sunday at the team's Family Fest practice at Soldier Field in Chicago.

Seneca’s Natalie Misener inks to run for Olivet Nazarene University Natalie Misener has committed to continue her education at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais and both her track and cross country careers at the NAIA level with the Tigers.

Natalie Misener has committed to continue her education at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais and both her track and cross country careers at the NAIA level with the Tigers.

Photos: Families enjoy a night at Streator Fest Streator Fest drew crowds Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, with live performance from Aaron Lewis, along with the carnival. The festival continued throughout the weekend. Check out these photos from Kyle Russell.

Streator Fest drew crowds Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, with live performance from Aaron Lewis, along with the carnival. The festival continued throughout the weekend. Check out these photos from Kyle Russell.

Photos:‘Rage Against the Regime’ Protest in Ottawa Protesters gathered on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Washington Square Park in Ottawa to stand against President Donald Trump's policies as part of the "Rage Against the Regime" demonstrations.

Protesters gathered on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, at Washington Square Park in Ottawa to stand against President Donald Trump's policies as part of the "Rage Against the Regime" demonstrations.

‘Air Pollution Action Day’ in effect through Sunday night Smoke from Canadian wildfires hovered over several Midwestern states Saturday, bringing warnings of unhealthy air for at least the third day.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires hovered over several Midwestern states Saturday, bringing warnings of unhealthy air for at least the third day.

Paperwork: Yep, sure is a hot one today. Anyone want some Kool-Aid? It was early Sunday. Our air conditioner kicked on. My happy button triggers every time that happens. It had been happening a lot.

It was early Sunday. Our air conditioner kicked on. My happy button triggers every time that happens. It had been happening a lot.

Streator’s Isaiah Weibel selects Benedictine to play football Streator graduate, three-sport standout and Times All-Area Football first-teamer Isaiah Weibel signed on to continue his education at Benedictine University and his football career at the NCAA Division III level with the Eagles.

Streator graduate, three-sport standout and Times All-Area Football first-teamer Isaiah Weibel signed on to continue his education at Benedictine University and his football career at the NCAA Division III level with the Eagles.

Ottawa joins state debt recovery program The City of Ottawa has officially joined over 475 local governments who are enrolled in the Local Debt Recovery Program offered through the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office.

The City of Ottawa has officially joined over 475 local governments who are enrolled in the Local Debt Recovery Program offered through the Illinois State Comptroller’s Office.

Ottawa hopes solid offseason leads to turnaround campaign Ottawa head football coach Chad Gross said he’s encouraged with the progress his group has made in the offseason and is looking forward to seeing what the Pirates can accomplish in 2025.

Ottawa head football coach Chad Gross said he’s encouraged with the progress his group has made in the offseason and is looking forward to seeing what the Pirates can accomplish in 2025.

Illinois joins suit against Trump administration orders limiting gender-affirming care Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining a multi-state lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from limiting gender-affirming care

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining a multi-state lawsuit seeking to block the Trump administration from limiting gender-affirming care

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to shut down after being defunded by Congress, targeted by Trump The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a cornerstone of American culture for three generations, announced Friday it would take steps toward its own closure after being defunded by Congress

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a cornerstone of American culture for three generations, announced Friday it would take steps toward its own closure after being defunded by Congress

Oct. 20 trial set in Sheridan double-homicide A rural Sheridan man will stand trial Oct. 20 for a double homicide. Ronald Martin Jr. faces life in prison if convicted of shooting two Sheridan residence.

A rural Sheridan man will stand trial Oct. 20 for a double homicide. Ronald Martin Jr. faces life in prison if convicted of shooting two Sheridan residence.

Marseilles Public Library announces August events The Marseilles Public Library announced a variety of events for the month of August, offering activities for all ages. The library is located at 155 E. Bluff St.

The Marseilles Public Library announced a variety of events for the month of August, offering activities for all ages. The library is located at 155 E. Bluff St.

State board delays review of OSF consolidation plan until November The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has deferred consideration of OSF HealthCare’s consolidation proposal until Nov. 18, according to board staff.

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board has deferred consideration of OSF HealthCare’s consolidation proposal until Nov. 18, according to board staff.

Inside Caleb Williams’ development: What the Bears are seeing at training camp A closer look at how Ben Johnson is reshaping Caleb Williams’ foundation for long-term success in Chicago

A closer look at how Ben Johnson is reshaping Caleb Williams’ foundation for long-term success in Chicago

Ex-La Salle County deputy to be detained before trial A former La Salle County sheriff’s deputy charged with child pornography will be detained ahead of trial, a judge ruled Thursday

A former La Salle County sheriff’s deputy charged with child pornography will be detained ahead of trial, a judge ruled Thursday

Photos: Mendota hosts St. Bede and Sandwich in joint football practice Mendota, St. Bede and Sandwich football teams held a joint practice on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Mendota High School.

Mendota, St. Bede and Sandwich football teams held a joint practice on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at Mendota High School.

Seneca’s Travis Barr selects Joliet Junior College Seneca's Travis Barr has signed on to continue his education and track career at Joliet Junior College.

Seneca's Travis Barr has signed on to continue his education and track career at Joliet Junior College.

Streator woman gets probation for May arson A Streator woman accused of setting fire to a house while she wore an ankle monitor pleaded guilty Thursday to two felonies and was placed on four years’ probation.

A Streator woman accused of setting fire to a house while she wore an ankle monitor pleaded guilty Thursday to two felonies and was placed on four years’ probation.

Pritzker signs bill to implement mental health screenings in schools Screenings would begin at public schools in the 2027-28 school year

Screenings would begin at public schools in the 2027-28 school year

Bears Insider Podcast Episode 403: Breaking down the first week of Chicago Bears training camp The Chicago Bears are over a week into their first training camp under new head coach Ben Johnson. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the first part of training camp and what they've learned so far

The Chicago Bears are over a week into their first training camp under new head coach Ben Johnson. Shaw Local's Michal Dwojak and Joe Aguilar break down the first part of training camp and what they've learned so far

Illinois State University renames football field Jay and Lori Bergman Field The football field at Hancock Stadium in Normal has been renamed after longtime Illinois State University supporters Jay and Lori Bergman.

The football field at Hancock Stadium in Normal has been renamed after longtime Illinois State University supporters Jay and Lori Bergman.

IVCC to welcome new students with revamped orientation event Illinois Valley Community College will welcome incoming students to campus Friday, Aug. 15, with Eagles Launch, a revamped orientation featuring breakout sessions, games and refreshments.

Illinois Valley Community College will welcome incoming students to campus Friday, Aug. 15, with Eagles Launch, a revamped orientation featuring breakout sessions, games and refreshments.

Ottawa joins state program to recover unpaid city debts The city of Ottawa announced they will begin using the Illinois State Comptroller’s Local Debt Recovery Program to collect unpaid fines and fees starting in September.

The city of Ottawa announced they will begin using the Illinois State Comptroller’s Local Debt Recovery Program to collect unpaid fines and fees starting in September.

Wildfire smoke leads to air quality alert for northern Illinois Lingering wildfire smoke is the reason for an air quality alert issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a large portion of northern Illinois

Lingering wildfire smoke is the reason for an air quality alert issued by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for a large portion of northern Illinois

Nicor Gas customers can comment on proposed rate hike, online or at upcoming public hearing The Illinois Commerce Commission will hold a public hearing for Nicor Gas customers to provide comments on the utility’s proposed rate increase. Customers can also comment online.

The Illinois Commerce Commission will hold a public hearing for Nicor Gas customers to provide comments on the utility’s proposed rate increase. Customers can also comment online.

Why Caleb Williams’ early camp struggles don’t matter: Silvy There is nothing from the first week of Caleb Williams’ training camp to be concerned about, Marc Silverman writes

There is nothing from the first week of Caleb Williams’ training camp to be concerned about, Marc Silverman writes

Veteran staff member named executive director of Ottawa Friendship House After spending almost 20 years in various roles with Friendship House in Ottawa, Allison Perez was recently named executive director of the nonprofit organization.

After spending almost 20 years in various roles with Friendship House in Ottawa, Allison Perez was recently named executive director of the nonprofit organization.