Fire departments from Ottawa, Utica, Tonica, and Oglesby gathered for a rope rescue training on Saturday, May 2, 2026 in Wildcat Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. Firefighters train at the park each spring for real-life rescues. Wildcat Canyon has cliffs that are over 100 feet high, and it creates a real-life scenario environment for rescuers to practice.

The Bureau County Historical Society has received statewide recognition for its work preserving and sharing local history. The Illinois State Historical Society recently named the organization’s publication, The Chronicle, and its Henry W. Immke Exhibit as 2026 “Best of Illinois History” award recipients. The Henry W. Immke Exhibit highlights the work of Henry W. Immke, a longtime Princeton photographer who operated a studio in the community from 1866 to 1923. Immke is believed to have taken more than 30,000 photographs during his career, documenting life in Bureau County and the surrounding region. Over the course of more than four decades, the museum digitized Immke’s extensive collection. Today, more than 22,000 of those images, including glass plate negatives, daguerreotypes and tintypes are preserved at the History Center. The Immke exhibit is open to the public Friday and Saturday afternoons through July at the Newell-Bryant Museum at 634 Pleasant Street in Princeton. In addition to the exhibit, The Chronicle continues to expand its reach. The publication is now distributed to readers in 49 states and 89 Illinois cities.

Protesters gathered for the Workers Over Billionaires rally on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Rotary Park in Princeton.

Construction is underway at the Princeton Fire Department to add new sleeping quarters adjacent to the fire trucks, creating more space and improving efficiency for crew members. The expansion comes after space concerns were raised to the Princeton City Council last June, marking the first major update to the station since 1978, with completion expected by early fall.

Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce held its annual block party on Wednesday, April 29, 2029 at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru. The party is part of the chambers' business after-hours events, showcasing businesses, products, and services in a casual environment to gain awareness, network, and grow the client base. Businesses can also hold a before or after-hours event.

St. Bede defeated Marquette 13-6 on Tuesday, April 23, 2026 at June Cross Field in Ottawa.

Marquette defeated St. Bede 6-1 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Masinelli Field in Ottawa.

St. Bede defeated Serena 2-0 on Friday, April 24, 2026 at St. Bede Academy.

Six mayors from Spring Valley, Utica, Ottawa, Peru, La Salle and Oglesby spoke at the 2026 Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce State of the Cities Luncheon on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Grand Bear Lodge at Starved Rock in Utica.