Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

A Mendota woman was recognized for nearly four decades of service at OSF HealthCare as part of National Health Care Week.

Evangelical Covenant Church will hold a retirement celebration in honor of Happy Hands Preschool director and teacher Joyce Johnson from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 31. “Miss Joyce" worked for Happy Hands Preschool for more than 40 years.

The ceremony at 1205 Jefferson St. capped off the first day in what will be a three-and-a-half month process to build a home for a local family in need.

Engle Lane Theatre will host a “Cookout Cabaret” to celebrate its 2026 season at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at the William C. Schiffbauer Center for the Performing Arts, 1012 Columbus Road, Streator.

Illinois Valley residents may participate in one of the local Memorial Day observances in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The Academy of St. Carlo Acutis Middle School issued its final honor and high honor rolls for the 2025-26 school year.

The annual Manlius Memorial Service will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25, at the Veterans Monument in Mullin’s Park.

Today will officially be known as “Virginia Day” when St. Bede hosts Mendota at the Academy ball diamond. It is a tribute to a “Mom, Grandma, friend and all-time super fan.”

Here's an update of the area IHSA softball postseason on Wednesday, May 20

Commissioner Marla Pearson said the city appreciates the community’s patience as staff prepares the facility.

The American Legion Auxiliary in Ohio assembled and delivered Memorial Day bags to veterans at local nursing homes, retirement homes, and homebound individuals this week.

A La Salle County grand jury convened Tuesday and returned the following indictments.

The next “Cars and Coffee” date will be held Saturday, May 23 in Princeton. The event will start at 8 a.m. on north end parking lot in Princeton at the corner of North Main and Elm Place.

At age 56, he’s the oldest patrol officer at the Peru Police Department. Now, Bill Sommer a sergeant with no plans to retire any time soon.

Grace United Methodist Church in La Salle will hold a free safety fair, open to the public, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30.

Ottawa baseball won its seventh straight while dealing Streator its fourth consecutive loss Tuesday, with Adam Swanson and Aleixo Fernandez combining for five hits and eight RBIs in the Pirates victory.

The Earlville and Newark softball teams earned Class 1A Walther Christian Regional semifinal wins Tuesday and will face each other Saturday for the title, while Marquette baseball won for the 31st time this season. Plus more results from around The Times area.

The Putnam County softball team rallied for a regional win, the Princeton and Earlville softball teams each scored 20 runs in regional wins and more in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

Shut out by Bureau Valley starter Brody Lewis for two innings, Hall baseball broke out for two runs in the third inning and three each in the fourth and fifth on the way to a runaway 13-0 win over the host Storm in Manlius.

The Marquette softball team exploded for eight runs on eight hits in the third inning on the way to a 11-0, five-inning victory over Momence in Tuesday's Class 1A Serena Regional semifinal.

Caught any fish lately at Baker Lake? Have you noticed the bluegills and sunfish are smaller than in years past? There are complex problems in the lake. The City of Peru means to fix them.

The University of Illinois Extension will hold a Grilling and Summertime Salads program series for residents to learn about ideas and practical tips for healthy summer meals.

The University of Illinois Extension will offer children a Fossil Fun program from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, at the Seneca Public Library.

Traffic was slowed Tuesday afternoon on Route 251 north of Peru by a vehicle crash, but Peru police said there were no significant reports of injury.

The inaugural Princeton Mile was such a big hit in 2025, the Princeton Chamber of Commerce is running it back this year on Saturday, June 6, a certified one-mile course on historic Main St in Princeton. There will be more cash prizes on the line, paying the top 3 elite finishers.