The La Salle-Peru baseball team traveled to Maple Park Tuesday to take on Kaneland in an Interstate 8 Conference matchup.

State Sen. Sue Rezin R-Morris and local agencies gathered for a roundtable meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026 at the Utica Fire Station. The meeting served as an opportunity to discuss safety, visitor experience, and general updates related to Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks.

More than 800 runners competed in the Starved Rock Country marathon on Saturday, May 9, racing through downtown Ottawa, Utica and Starved Rock State Park. Full-marathon runners started and ended in downtown Ottawa, while half-marathon runners began in Utica and finished in downtown Ottawa.

WALLS 102 held their first Listener Appreciation Party sponsored by Leone's Polaris on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle. Over 250 guests and sponsors attended the event. The band Wreckin' Dixie performed while guests danced, listened to music, and won huge local prizes. Free food was given to all who attended. WALLS 102 is a Shaw Local radio station.

The Wallace Warrior Games were held on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Wallace Grade School. The unified event promoted inclusiveness, friendships and fun. 25 schools and over 400 kids from La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties participated in the event.

Putnam County defeated Mendota on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Putnam County High School. Putnam County's Johnathon Stunkel threw a 1-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks in the game.

Mill Street dining has started downtown Utica. The road will be closed to traffic until late October.

Crews begin to demolish a home located in the 800 block of Bucklin Street on Thursday, May 7, 2026 in La Salle. The home was destroyed by a fire on Jan. 23. Firefighters worked together to battle the blaze in subzero temperatures.

Recipients of the 40 Under Forty awards and the Cornerstone awards were honored during the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce Champions of Change Awards banquet on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at the Westclox Event Center in Peru.