Audrey Carver of Minneapolis is painting a large 56x25-foot Audubon Mural Project on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 on the side of Jens Jungle store located at 707 Jefferson Street in Mendota. The drawing depicts threatened bird species and illustrates the ecology of Lake Kakusha’s habitats, capturing the diversity and interconnectedness of Illinois ecosystems. The city of Mendota will hold Painted Wings and Wild Things: A Celebration of Art, Nature & Place on Sunday, June 14 to unveil the mural. A second mural will begin this week on Illinois Avenue.
Seventeen awards were handed out to teams and individuals during the 2026 Shaw Media Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle.
The 2026 planting season is wrapping up across the Illinois Valley.
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp hosted their Little League Night on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 in Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Park in Peru. Check out photos from the event by MaKade Rios.
Emergency crews responded Friday, May 29, 2026, for two patients who were drowning in the Cascade Falls area of Matthiessen State Park. Two helicopters landed at the Deer Park Model Airplane Field to airlift the patients to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Fire and EMS crews from Utica, Tonica and Oglesby, along with Conservation Police personnel, responded to the incident shortly after 12:45 p.m.
Hall fell to Monmouth Roseville 5-4 in the Class 2A Regional semifinal game on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Princeton High School.
Teams throughout Illinois competed in the 2026 IHSA Boys State Tennis Meet at multiple schools in the northwest suburbs on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Veterans marched in a parade on Main Street to Soldiers and Sailors Park for the Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026 in Princeton.
Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent held his Offensive Skills Camp on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at St Bede Academy in Peru. The camp was limited to 100 kids and open to boys and girls in grades 6-12. The camp teaches quarterback play, passing, receiving, footwork, agility, and game awareness.
Overcast and high 60s made for ideal conditions for IHSA's girls state track and field championships on Saturday in Charleston.
Teams and individuals from Morris, Ottawa, and Princeton all competed in the Class 1A boys tennis Sectional meet on Friday, May 22, 2026 at the La Salle-Peru Township High School Athletic Complex in La Salle.
Representatives from descendant Tribal Nations gathered with the University of Illinois and the Prairie Research Institute to share knowledge and explore conservation efforts tied to the Illinois River region on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Starved Rock Marina. Programs featured discussions from malacologists, wildlife biologists, archaeologists, botanists and plant ecologists focusing on freshwater mussels, local ecology and non-invasive research methods that help preserve Illinois natural and cultural history. Programs were held at the Starved Rock Marina and Halfway House along Dee Bennett Road. Freshwater mussels have long been important to many Tribal Nations as sources of food, tools, and materials. They also play a key ecological role as indicators of water quality and overall ecosystem health.
Second Story Teen Center held a kite flying contest on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at City County Park in Princeton. The event featured over 2 dozen kites, hot dogs, games and more.
Ellie Longeville, a freshman at Princeton High School, won the "Green 13" national leadership award presented by Lead 'Em Up on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Princeton High School. Lead ‘Em Up is a partner with Chick-fil-A, honoring 13 student-athletes across the country for their outstanding character, leadership, and representation of team values. Longeville, a PHS softball player, was chosen from over 50,000 individuals nominated to receive the award. Longeville received a Lead ‘Em Up swag pack, national recognition, and free Chick-fil-A for a year. This is the first year for the Princeton High School Lead 'Em Up program. The program was founded by Adam Bradley in 2015 and focuses on training young people to elevate their confidence, communication, and accountability.
St. Bede Academy held their Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2026 in the St. Bede Abbey Church.
The Hall High School Class of 2026 held its annual commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17, 2026 in Red Devil Gymnasium.
The 11th annual TBM Reunion and Air Show continued on Saturday with a Veterans parade and full air show full of vintage World War II aircrafts.
Illinois Valley Community College Class of 2026 held its annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at the IVCC gymnasium.