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Over 40 organizations across Bureau County gathered for a group photo during a Lending a Hand funds distribution of checks totaling $200,000 on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 at the Closet in Princeton. The Closet has donated 2.3 million dollars to area organizations over the past 16 years.

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Firefighters responded to Fire On Fifth inside the Westclox building on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 in Peru. A working fire started in the storage room inside of Fire on Fifth. The fire started at 10a.m. Fire departments from Utica, Oglesby Peru and La Salle all assisted on the scene. La Salle and Peru EMS were also dispatched. The entire Westclox building was evacuated. Two employees were transported by ambulance for smoke inhalation. A smoke detector inside Star Union Spirits triggered an alarm, prompting a fast response from firefighters.

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St. Bede defeated Dwight 57-46 during the Tri County Conference Tournament semifinals on Monday, Jan. 20, 2026 at Dwight High School. The Lady Bruins will play Mildand in the title game on Thursday at 8p.m. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

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The Chicago Bears lost 20-17 to the Los Angeles Rams Sunday night in their NFC divisional playoff matchup at Soldier Field in Chicago.

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Seneca defeated Sandwich 64-56 on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 at Seneca High School. Check out photos from the game by Tom Sistak.

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St. Bede defeated Marquette 50-38 on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at St. Bede Academy. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

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Marquette defeated St. Bede 65-60 on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at St. Bede Academy. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

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High school seniors Claire Boudreau, La Salle-Peru Township High School, Jackson Delhotal, of Putnam County High School, Spencer Kain, of Mendota High School, Christian Limberg, of La Salle-Peru Township High School, Zulee Moreland, of Ottawa Township High School, Lydia Steinbach, of La Salle-Peru High School, and Yijing (Larissa) Zhang of St. Bede Academy were all honored during the 9th annual NCI Artworks Mad Hatter Ball on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at the Westclox Event Center in Peru. Vivian Lopez, of DePue High School was absent.

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Teams from Bradley-Bourbonnais, Reed-Custer, Herscher, Kankakee McNamara, Kankakee High School, La Salle-Peru, Minooka, Ottawa, St. Bede, Hall, and Streator all competed during the IHSA boys bowling regionals on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at the Illinois Valley Super Bowl in Peru.