Morton defeated L-P 69-48 during the Class 3A Sectional semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at Ottawa High School. The Cavs finish their season with a record of 20-11.

Smoke and charred timber burned from a large brush fire that broke out near the 12000 block of West Bottom Road on Monday, March 2, 2026 near Granville. The fire was elevated to the second alarm as the flames spread further west. Over 150 acres of timber burned along the Illinois River during the incident.

Crews burn off part of the green area for a controlled burn on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Deer Park Golf Club in Oglesby. The burn helps to manage invasive species, remove thatch buildup, and encourage the growth of native plants.

Crews started cutting trees near the trailhead to French Canyon on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Starved Rock State Park. A newly constructed bridge will be built here beginning this month. Starved Rock State Park received a 37 million upgrade to trail improvement that is underway and continue through 2026. Trail closures will be announced on the Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Park Facebook pages.

Over 125 participants from 13 teams plunge into the frigid waters of Lake Mendota during the 9th Annual Mendota Polar Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 28. The event, held in support of Special Olympics of Illinois, raised $36,000 for local programs serving the Mendota, La Salle and Peru areas. Despite temperatures of 39 degrees with a wind chill of 23 degrees, brave plungers took the icy dip to support athletes in Special Olympics programs.

Marquette defeated St. Bede to win the Class 1A Regional title on Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 at Serena High School. Check out photos from the game by MaKade Rios.

L-P wins its third consecutive regional title with a 57-53 victory over Ottawa on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026 in Sellett Gymnasium at L-P High School.

Logan Junior High sixth graders hosted a live wax museum on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Princeton. Students made poster boards while dressing up as their featured character at the event.

Oregon and Mendota meet Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Rock Falls for the 2A regional basketball title. Oregon took the win 65-52.