When the I&M Canal Corridor Association announced last fall that they were shutting down rides on its replica canal boat, amid funding shortfalls, people were concerned for the future of the exhibit, but also the future of the two mules that called it home.

Since its inception, more names and panels have been added each year, with the nine new additions bringing the total to 8,041.

The project at 704 Illinois Ave. is to refurbish the existing two-story building and outfit it to become a community event space on the first floor and a co-working space on the second.

Neon 90s Country Rewind! kicked off the 2026 Down on Main Street concert season Friday, June 19, 2026, in downtown Princeton. Each concert event begins at 6 p.m. and includes food vendors, family-friendly activities and opportunities to contribute to the Community Mural Project. The free project consists of painting tiles for a future mural that will be erected on Lovejoy Way. The next Down on Main Street concert is on July 17, featuring The Chicago Experience.

Princeton's firehouse expansion is coming right along. Exterior walls are up and work on the interior part of the structure will begin next week. The $1.5 million project is expected to be completed sometime in August, ahead of its original mid-fall completion estimate. The addition will house sleeping and living quarters for emergency personnel, creating a faster response time.

Prosecutors say a Zion woman was livestreaming to TikTok viewers when she struck and killed a pedestrian. The case highlights how Illinois is using a newer felony distracted-driving law in deadly crashes

Police in Utica are launching a traffic enforcement campaign through July 6, focusing on impaired and unbuckled drivers.

A Quad Cities man has been jailed on charges of secretly filming minors in Marseilles. Jackson Yeager successfully appealed, however, and may get pre-trial release.

Families do not need to complete any additional forms or take any special action to participate.

Justin Suarez's progress on a mural at 725 Main St. in downtown Mendota. The mural depicts the wildlife that visitors to Lake Mendota and Lake Kakusha may encounter. The mural was delayed by the severe weather in the region last week, but Suarez said he hopes to finish the mural in the coming days, with a target date of early next week.

Dr. David Lawrence, principal of St. Bede Academy in Peru, has announced St. Bede’s honor roll for the second semester of the 2025-26 school year.

The annual Oglesby Summer Fun Fest returns this week with a carnival, kids parade and a variety of food trucks. The carnival will runs through Sunday, June 21. Hours will be Friday, 1 to 9 p.m., Saturday and 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Wristbands will cost $33 per person. The Red, White and Bike Kids Parade will be Saturday, June 20. The festival wraps up Sunday with fireworks at 9:30p.m.

Firefighters responded to the scene of a fire inside the Starved Rock House of Jerky on Thursday, June 18, 2026 in Utica. The fire broke out just before noon. Fire departments from La Salle, Utica, Oglesby, Wallace and Tonica all responded to the scene.

Tickets for the Fulton Sheen beatification in St. Louis will be available the week of June 22, the Diocese of Peoria announced Thursday.

A Peru man faces up to a year in jail after La Salle police clocked him driving nearly 100 mph in a 55-mph zone.

The Mendota City Council approved the application of Art Riewaldt Jr. and his company, Riewaldt Inc., for the $180,000 RLF with a 5% interest rate over the 15-year life of the loan.

First Responders were honored before the Pistol Shrimp game on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at Schweickert Stadium in Peru. Police, Fire, and EMS departments from Ottawa, Oglesby, Utica, Standard, Tonica, Spring Valley, Illinois State Police, La Salle County Sheriff and Putnam County Sheriff attended the event.

A large fire — flames were visible above the roof— broke out at the Starved Rock House of Jerky. The fire appeared to either be contained or extinguished by 12:25 p.m.