La Salle firefighters responded to a fully engulfed two-story home in the 800 block of Bucklin Street on Friday, Jan. 23. A woman, her son and their dog evacuated safely before crews arrived. Firefighters from La Salle, Peru, Oglesby and Utica fire departments worked together to battle the blaze in subzero temperatures. Peru Fire Department provided an aerial truck to help crews reach the roof. Firefighters broke windows and cut a hole in the roof to access the seat of the fire. Bucklin Street was closed between 8th and 9th Streets during firefighting operations.

Being in the cold too long can cause serious health problems. Hypothermia and frostbite are the most common cold-related health problems.

Two men await detention hearings after a Wednesday traffic stop in Peru yielded more than 2 ounces of cocaine -- and after a pair of search warrants yielded guns and another 4-plus pounds of cocaine.

A life-threatening cold is settling across the Illinois Valley this weekend, with warming centers opening to provide relief for those in need.

Princeton High School sports teams could be playing future games in a fieldhouse. In December, the Princeton City Council amended its zoning ordinances to accommodate a proposed fieldhouse for the Princeton School District. The project is in the beginning stages. The school district is considering purchasing 15 acres north of Liberty Village for a 50,000 to 80,000 square foot indoor sports complex. The facility would also include parking. The fieldhouse concept would serve both youth and high school teams. The site is located behind the Princeton High School softball field, known as Little Siberia.