Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

The courses are in good shape, the field is at over 100 again, and the 46th annual Richard J. Berry Memorial golf tournament is set to take place this weekend.

Each year, the Elks host an Americanism essay contest where students can write an essay answering a selected topic.

United Way of Eastern La Salle County will celebrate Labor of Love’s 35th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 3.

Changes in how electric bicycles and other vehicles are regulated will soon come to the Illinois Valley.

Longtime BCR Sports Editor Kevin Hieronymus has shared the stories of state champions, winning shots and sadness of loved ones lost with his game coverage and weekly sports columns, Hieronymus' Hypothesis. He is retiring after nearly 40 years at the end of July.

After a standout senior year in football, wrestling and track and field, Princeton's Casey Etheridge is the 2025-26 NewsTribune Male Athlete of the Year.

Illinois Valley residents will have the opportunity to learn basic lifesaving skills during a free CPR class later this month.

The suspect in the Mother’s Day police shooting in rural DePue – a 3-year-old was struck and killed by gunfire – will undergo a psychological exam. Anthony Rodriguez’s trial was postponed pending an evaluation.

Two children were rescued from Bureau Creek on Tuesday after strong currents carried them downstream while they were swimming, according to the Bureau County Sheriff’s Office.

We are proud to present the 2026 Times All-Area Girls Soccer Team, filled with standouts from Ottawa, Streator, Serena, Earlville, Somonauk, Leland and Sandwich.

Ottawa's Georgia Kirkpatrick scored 32 goals and recorded a team-best 23 assists. Her efforts helped Ottawa finish the season at 17-5, a program record for wins, and capture the Class 1A Orion Regional title, the program’s first postseason championship.

The Marshall-Putnam County 4-H will hold a 4-H Show for community members to view the 4-Hers’ exhibited projects from Monday, July 20, through Thursday, July 23, at the Marshall-Putnam County Fairgrounds, 915 University Ave., Henry.

The Streator Lions Club recently held its bi-monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 1, at the Oakley Club.

The 4th Degree Knights of Starved Rock Assembly 191 are canvassing the Illinois Valley area and asking families to donate retired 4th Degree capes. All colors will be gratefully accepted.

The Play of the Day for the Wyaton Hills Ladies Day Golf for Tuesday was “Most Putts.” Winners were Dot Hammit, Nita Wyatt and Janice Campbell.

Oglesby Union Church invites local children to ride the rapids at Raging Rivers Vacation Bible School from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, July 27 through Friday July 31.

Summer hunger is worsening in the Illinois Valley. Some food pantries report rising numbers, others say clients have fled the area in search of better jobs.

Mendota track and field standout Jeniah Francis is being remembered as gifted and determined. She was killed in a car accident Friday.

The Marshall-Putnam County Fair will begin its annual queen pageant at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 12, in the Hunt Building at the Marshall-Putnam County Fairgrounds, 915 University Ave., Henry.

Participation is free, but registration is required and there are only 15 spots available for kids nine years of age by Dec. 31, 2026,

The Marseilles Police Department announced several road closures scheduled this week for a railroad maintenance project that’s expected to finish by the weekend.

Engle Lane Theatre in Streator will present the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls with four performances this week.

A look at the BCR Female Athletes of the Year from 1994-95 to 2025-26 featuring girls from Bureau Valley, Hall, Princeton, St. Bede and Tampico

The La Salle County Coroner’s Office issued a Monday press release identifying the victim only as a 15-year-old female from Mendota.

An eight-year-old Serena girl was struck and killed by lightning Friday, the La Salle County Coroner’s Office said.