Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

Illinois Extension will offer an air fryer cooking class at Peru Public Library on July 29 from 1 to 2 p.m.

The 22nd annual Convoy Against Cancer Big Truck Show rolls into Ladd on Saturday, July 18, bringing polished pickups, restored farm tractors, fire trucks, and working vehicles from across North Central Illinois to Main Street — all to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The final version of La Salle-Peru Township High School’s agriculture facility is becoming clearer.

Fay’s BBQ will serve multiple dinner options in drive-thru format. All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s agricultural education programs and student scholarships.

The Princeton Community Band will perform a patriotic concert Sunday, July 5 at 6 p.m. in Soldiers and Sailors Park, featuring vocal soloist Elizabeth Butler singing Gershwin’s “Someone to Watch Over Me.”

La Salle City Council will consider a special use permit for La Salle-Peru High School to keep livestock on school property, award a contract for Rotary Park improvements, and approve a School Resource Officer agreement at its meeting Monday, July 6.

A Friday drug raid in La Salle yielded 3 ounces of purported cocaine, three firearms and felony charges for a La Salle woman.

A single-vehicle accident around 2:30 p.m. Friday on Route 251 north of Peru has claimed the life of a young woman. At least one other occupant was injured.

Streator boys basketball coach Beau Doty said he's more than pleased with what he saw from his team during workouts and competition during summer and feels it was a good first step with the real season starting in November.

The University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists will hold a birdwatching hike from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge, 780 East Road, Hennepin.

Graves-Hume Public Library in Mendota is offering programs throughout July for children, teens, adults and families. Registration is encouraged for all events. To register, call the library at 815-538-5142.

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

The Illinois Valley Community College Board on Tuesday approved the purchase of two electric vehicles and advanced training equipment designed to connect automotive and robotics students with workforce-ready skills.

Heavy rains continued to dominate farming operations across La Salle County during the week of June 15-21, with rainfall ranging from 2 to 4.6 inches and leaving fields waterlogged and work schedules in disarray.

The Heritage Tractor team will gather on Tuesday, July 21, to present a check for $1,000 to Mendota Future Farmers of America Chapter.

Illinois Valley Community College recently recognized the accomplishments of 33 students at its annual Adult Education Recognition Event on Wednesday, May 20.

City officials approved a special event permit application from the Marseilles Tourism and Park Committee for the 2026 faire, set to take place from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sep. 12, at the baseball fields located at 655 Commercial St.

Williams, a recent Henry-Senachwine High School graduate, was chosen from 10 applicants. He plans to pursue a degree in social work at Eastern Illinois University.

The Streator Lions Club will bring a mobile hearing and retinal screening unit to the community Saturday, July 25, offering free screenings to residents.

The Princeton Park District is now offering two summer swim programs for children after the Alexander Pool officially opened this week.

The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal has awarded the Streator Fire Department over $25,000 through its Small Equipment Grant Program.

A Streator man charged with abusing a dog has a new lawyer and a trial setting. Daniel McMeen will stand trial Oct. 6.

He isn’t strictly speaking free – a judge ordered him into full home confinement – but a DUI suspect was granted pre-trial release despite a crash that permanently injured two cyclists.

An Oglesby resident who struck a man with a miniature sledgehammer admitted Thursday to violating his probation. Darnell Williams might go to prison this time.

Keighley Davis said having four older brothers who were successful in sports "were a lot I could look up to and push me to be better and work harder.” They helped her to excel in volleyball, basketball and soccer. She is the 2025-26 co-BCR Female Athlete of the Year.