🌱 How did Ottawa’s runners stack up at the Morris Early Bird?

Good day Ottawa! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How did Ottawa's runners stack up at the Morris Early Bird?
• Explore what starts when you follow Illinois River Road south from Ottawa.
• Ottawa community remembers James Edward McLachlan, 71, of Plainfield.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Ottawa Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Ottawa Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 82 and low of 58 degrees.
• Friday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 81, low: 58.
• Saturday: Beautiful with clouds and sun, with a high of 80 and low of 64 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Streator boys soccer, Seneca girls volleyball score dramatic victories: The Times Wednesday Roundup (shawlocal.com) — Ottawa runners turned in solid performances at the Morris Early Bird meet, with the girls placing fourth and the boys seventh, led by strong finishes from Georgia Kirkpatrick, Connor Medina, and Atlas Brown. The roundup also recaps dramatic wins by Streator boys soccer and Seneca girls volleyball, plus results for several nearby schools in golf and cross country.
   

• Skip the interstate. Illinois River Road hits 10 counties and 100 wild stops (wheninyourstate.com) — For Ottawa residents, this piece highlights how the Illinois River Road begins right in Ottawa and winds 150 miles south past Starved Rock, Matthiessen, Peoria bluffs, and major wildlife refuges. It explains what to see in each season, from frozen waterfalls and eagle-watching near Starved Rock to massive bird migrations and Native American history at Emiquon, Chautauqua, and Dickson Mounds.
   

• James Edward McLachlan, 71, of Plainfield (1430wcmy.com) — Services for Plainfield resident and Ottawa native James Edward McLachlan will be held Friday morning at Ottawa Funeral Home and St. Columba Church, with burial at St. Columba Cemetery. The 71-year-old lifelong Prairie Center farmer is remembered as a devoted husband, outdoorsman, traveler, and storyteller, survived by his wife Donna and a close-knit extended family.
   

📸 Around Ottawa

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ottawa

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday August 28
• Soccer Home vs. Leland
  Wallace Elem School Wallace Grade School, 1463 N 33rd Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
  4:30 pm
Monday August 31
• Softball @ Grand Ridge
  Wallace Elem School Grand Ridge Community Consolidated School District 95, IL, USA
  4:30 pm
• Soccer @ Paw Paw
  Wallace Elem School Paw Paw Elementary School, 511 Chapman St, Paw Paw, IL 61353
  4:30 pm
• Baseball Home vs. Milton Pope/Rutland
  Wallace Elem School Peck Park, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
  4:30 pm
Tuesday September 1
• 2:20 Dismissal K-6
  Ottawa Esd 141 Ottawa, IL 61350
• 3:10 Dismissal Shepherd
  Ottawa Esd 141 Ottawa, IL 61350
• Baseball Home vs. Marquette
  Wallace Elem School Peck Park, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
  4:30 pm
• Soccer Home vs. Mendota
  Wallace Elem School Ottawa, IL 61350
  4:30 pm

📣 Ottawa Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 27
• Softball @ Odell vs. Odell/Saunemin
  Wallace Elem School Odell Grade School District 435, 203 N East St, Odell, IL 60460
  4:30 pm
• Baseball @ Dimmick
  Wallace Elem School ??
  4:30 pm
Friday August 28
• Soccer Home vs. Leland
  Wallace Elem School Wallace Grade School, 1463 N 33rd Rd, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
  4:30 pm
Monday August 31
• Soccer @ Paw Paw
  Wallace Elem School Paw Paw Elementary School, 511 Chapman St, Paw Paw, IL 61353
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Kellermeyer posted a job opening for Warehouse Janitorial Associate in Ottawa. Apply here.
• Pizza Hut, Inc. posted a job opening for Assistant Restaurant Manager in Ottawa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ottawa here.

🗞 Nearby News

Oglesby

• Green Thumb Senior Production Technician (Kitchen) in Oglesby, IL (syracuse.com)

Ok Ottawa! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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