Bill Freskos

United States

Reporter at Shaw Local

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Articles

IVCC to begin summer schedule June 13

3 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

Illinois Valley Community College will begin its summer schedule on Thursday, June 13, this year. Both the Oglesby and Ottawa campuses will be closed on Fridays from June 13 through Aug. 1. In addition, the college will be closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth, and Thursday, July 3, ahead of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 4. IVCC will return to its regular five-day schedule the week of Aug. 4. Campus Preview orientation for new students is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15.
Ottawa author Hank Walsh gets personal with history of Walsh Park

3 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

For Ottawa native and local historian Hank Walsh, his latest book is about more than just the city’s history, it’s a blend of local history, family stories and personal memories. Walsh’s fifth book tells the story of the land on Ottawa’s north side that once belonged to his family, a former farmstead now known as Walsh Park. The land was where Walsh spent most of his childhood working alongside his grandfather and father, learning various life lessons through farm labor and a small-town community.
U of I Extension to host air fryer cooking classes in Ottawa, Buda and Princeton

3 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

The University of Illinois Extension will lead a series of air fryer cooking classes this month in La Salle and Bureau counties to help local residents prepare delicious and healthy meals without using a hot oven or stove. Susan Glassman, University of Illinois Extension’s Nutrition and Wellness Educator, will teach attendees how air fryers work, discover which foods cook best in them and help prepare and sample a roasted vegetable recipe.
Local news and sports for La Salle County, Illinois and Bureau County, Illinois

4 days ago | newstrib.com | Bill Freskos

June 03, 2025 NewsSportsNewslettersShaw Local RadioeNewspaperLocal EventsStarved Rock Country Read our stories of inspiring teachers in the Illinois Valley word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word word...
Fire damages Streator home; cause under investigation

4 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

A house fire broke out Sunday night on the 700 block of Fuller Avenue in Streator, severely damaging a single-family home. Fire crews responded about 7 p.m. to find heavy flames coming from the southeast corner of a residence on Fuller Avenue, Reading Fire Chief Thomas Metzke said. Firefighters had the blaze under control within 15 minutes of arriving on scene, Metzke said. No one was home at the time of the fire.
Streator YMCA named chamber’s May 2025 business of the month

4 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

The Streator Family YMCA has been named the Streator Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Month for May. The YMCA is a longtime part of the community, offering a variety of programs focused on kids development and healthy living for all ages. With June here, summer camps for children ages 3-10 are available, with weekly themes like sports, zoo, beach, farm and superhero camps.
Seneca Legion to host free pancake breakfast June 8

4 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

The Seneca American Legion Kasal Post 457 will host its annual “Breakfast in the Park” from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 8, at Crotty Park on Shipyard Road in Seneca. This year’s breakfast will be free to all attendees in honor of veterans, active duty personnel and first responders. Guests are encouraged to invite local honorees to attend. The event also will feature the Legion’s “Memorial Panels,” which highlight the military service of deceased area veterans.
Oglesby Elks honor students at annual awards banquet

5 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

The Oglesby Elks Lodge #2360 recently held its annual awards banquet to honor local students for their work in school, writing and leadership. The lodge announced winners of its annual Americanism Essay Contest, which invites students in grades 5 through 8 to write about a patriotic theme. This year’s prompt was “What Patriotism Means to Me.” Top finishers at the lodge level advanced to district and state competitions, with several students earning honors at all three levels.
Streator splash pad expected to open June 2

5 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

The splash pad at City Park in Streator is expected to open Monday, June 2, if final testing goes well, the city announced Friday on Facebook. New parts were installed on Friday, and crews flushed the lines and tested the system on Saturday. City officials said the system needed a few days to stabilize before it can be opened to the public. “We appreciate everyone’s patience,” the city said in its announcement.
Streator Public Library to host Summer Fun Fair on June 14

5 days ago | shawlocal.com | Bill Freskos

The Streator Public Library will kick off its summer activities with a Fun Fair from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 14. The event will feature games, face painting, a bounce house and opportunities for children and families to sign up for the library’s Summer Reading Program. The Fun Fair is free and open to the public. In addition to the fair, the library also announced it’s new hours for the summer, starting June 2.