Illinois Valley - Shaw Local

I know it sounds like a cliché, but it just doesn’t seem possible. And at the risk of embarrassing these tiny-babies-turned-strapping-men, I can’t let it pass by without reflecting on it.

A Mendota man was granted pre-trial release Monday after his lawyer argued the shot he fired might have been a justifiable use of force.

After more than 30 years in education, more than 10 years operating a childcare center in Mexico, Alicia Tamez has opened her second childcare center in La Salle.

Interested in helping a local boy reach his birthday goal this weekend? If so, a community tuna drive benefiting the Marseilles Food Pantry will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, outside the pantry at 200 Broadway St.

The dates are April 27, May 11, May 25, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and Oct. 26.

This free program provides incoming 7-9 graders the opportunity to have hands-on experiences in industrial arts, like welding and machining, and design innovation, like computer aided design and carpentry.

The bridge has been closed since the collision damaged the structure’s façade and roof. IDOT has allocated approximately $1 million for repairs and upgrades as part of its multi-year program.

The St. Bede softball team won in extra innings, Keely Lawson hit two home runs in Princeton softball's win, Bureau Valley track and field won its own senior night meet and more in Tuesday's NewsTribune roundup.

After early struggles, Ottawa's Lucas Farabaugh smacked a run-scoring double in the eighth inning to help the Pirates top rival La Salle-Peru in Tuesday's Interstate 8 Conference game at Huby Sarver Field.

The last time the Marquette Crusaders lost a baseball game was a year ago, and the opposing starting pitcher was St. Bede lefty Gino Ferrari. This time Marquette came out on top of another competitive meeting, 6-1, to move to 20-0 on the season.

Keely Lawson went 4 for 5, with a pair of homers and seven RBIs to power the Tigresses to a win at Prophetstown. At Ottawa, Ava Balestri had a three-run double and Ella Burke had a RBI triple as St. Beede erupted for seven runs in the eighth in a 13-6 win over Marquette.

Cities and counties have discussed moratoriums and restrictions on data centers or simply saying no. In Peru, city officials signaled they’re willing to listen.

The University of Illinois Extension will give local kids a chance to learn about gardening through it’s 4-H Little Roots Garden Program this spring.

Nursing tutor M’Kenzee Smith of Ottawa has been named Illinois Valley Community College’s 2026 Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Award recipient.

OTHS Automotive Technology teacher John Hladovcak said about 60 students each year will have an opportunity to use the equipment in several different vocational education classes that OTHS offers.

A Servant’s Heart in Ottawa is hosting a rummage sale Friday and Saturday, with proceeds supporting the organization’s homeless prevention and housing assistance programs.

Marquette's Todd Hopkins, Woodland's Connor Kaminke and Mendota's Steve Wasmer will be among the 2026 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coaches of the Year.

Bureau Valley graduate Elijah House ran on the St. Ambrose’ 4x800 relay which qualified for nationals with a time of 7:34.20 hitting the Nationals A standard and breaking the school record.

Veteran Hall coach Tom Keegan, who guided his Red Devils to the 2A State Championship in 2018 and won more than 400 career games, has been selected as one of the two head coaches for the 49th annual ICA Senior All-Star Game on Monday, June 22 at Schweickert Stadium in Peru.

La Salle is pursuing a state River Edge Redevelopment Zone designation that could offer tax incentives and economic benefits to developers and businesses, after the City Council passed an ordinance Monday.

The Marshall-Putnam County Fair is taking applications for its annual beauty pageant in July.

Extension expands ADA-compliant restroom accommodations to include a changing station for individuals with disabilities weighing over 50 pounds, helping Illinois children and adults with severe mobility issues or other disabilities comfortably and privately use these facilities.

Putnam County High School announced its honor roll for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.

Peru officials are grateful no one was hurt when an aged (and likely diseased) tree fell Sunday at Centennial Park. They want to make sure another doesn’t abruptly fall.

St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School in Streator announced its honor and high honor rolls for the third quarter of the 2025-2026 school year.