Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

Several entrepreneurs in Sheffield will host Thrive on Main, an Etsy-inspired market, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9.

The Streator Public Library recently announced its upcoming programs and events for the second week in May.

The Putnam County Public Library District’s Hennepin branch will offer a tour of the Reddick Mansion at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16.

The Ottawa baseball team fell to Plainfield South in extra innings at Schweickert Stadium in Peru on Friday, while the Newark softball team won big. Plus, more results from around the Times area.

Ottawa freshman Teagan Darif smacked a pair of solo homers, and pitcher Addie Russell went the distance in the Pirates' 2-1 victory at Seneca on Friday. The win was Ottawa's sixth straight, while Seneca's loss was its first.

A Mendota man was sentenced Friday to 7½ years in prison for a large meth seizure in 2024.

A Streator killer serving an effective life sentence (parole date: 2117) struck out Friday in his bid for a reduced prison time. Malcolm Whitfield's loss in court means he now can turn to an appeals court.

The Walnut Public Library District will hold a Farmhouse Barn Quilts by Tammie program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at the Walnut Community Building, 141 Main St., Walnut.

No one is busier than St. Bede senior Lily Bosnich in the spring. On Thursday, she homered with two RBIs, three runs scored and three steals in softball. She then raced off to win the 300 hurdles in the senior night track meet, wearing her softball uniform.

The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 110th anniversary Thursday with a sold-out annual dinner at Starved Rock Lodge, honoring members who have shaped the community since 1916.

The Princeton Park District has announced a new addition to the playground at Zearing Park, made possible through a donation from longtime community supporters Don and Barb Schiff.

Construction on the City County Park shelter project is entering its final stages, with concrete work expected to wrap up soon.

The Streator Public Library will hold an event for community members to receive May Day baskets from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2.

A Granville man charged in the robbery of Granville National Bank will stand trial June 22 in federal court in Peoria.

The Streator Public Library recently announced its upcoming events and programs for the first full week in May.

The Putnam County Public Library District will host a four-week 3D printing program designed for youth ages 11–14 this June.

The Seneca softball team, behind the hitting of Graysen Provance and pitching of both Tessa Krull and Hayden Pfeifer, improved to 23-0 on the season with a win over Dwight on Thursday, while the Marquette baseball team fell to St. Bede for the Crusaders first loss of the season.

The St. Bede baseball team beat Marquette to end the Crusaders' 39-game winning streak, the St. Bede boys track team won its own home meet, the Mendota soccer team blanked Serena and more in Thursday's NewsTribune roundup.

Good situational hitting and a dominant outing on the mound carried Ottawa to a 10-0 win over La Salle-Peru on a rainy Thursday night at Huby Sarver Field, taking home the Illinois River Rivalry trophy and completing the series sweep.

Ava Hobson scored in the first minute on an unassisted goal for the Princeton soccer team Thursday night on the Bryant Field pitch. Then it proved to be a case of pick your poison for visiting LaSalle-Peru with Keighley Davis, Keeley Cardosi and Bella Clevenger each scoring

Serena senior Cassie Walsh and Somonauk/Leland freshman Brielle Deacon hooked up in a classic pitchers’ duel on Thursday with the Huskers wrapping up an undefeated Little Ten Conference softball championship with a 1-0 victory over the Bobcats in Serena.

Freshman Hannah Heiberger crushed two home runs Thursday to lead the St. Bede softball team to a 10-0, five-inning victory over Marquette.

Waltham Presbyterian Church, rural Utica, has announce the selection of the Rev. Kathleen Luke as pastor.

Beth Findley Smith (R-Ottawa) was elected April 15, 2026, as the 14th Congressional District state central committeeperson (SCC) for the Illinois Republican Party, securing a four-year term on the party’s governing board.

Ottawa native and paleontologist has published a new book discussing links between birds and dinosaurs.