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.

Firefighters were called to the 500 block of West Erie Street for a structure fire on Monday, May 4, 2026 in Spring Valley. The fire happened shortly before 10:45p.m. A Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) call was dispatched for additional fire departments from Eastern Bureau County, Peru, Utica, Oglesby and La Salle.

Peru firefighters were dispatched at 2:10 p.m. to a fire that broke out at a home in the 1900 block of Main Street, near the junction of Market, Main and Schuyler streets.

The Starved Rock Foundation, along with local photographers, businesses, and community members, presented a check representing the total funds raised to support preservation efforts at Starved Rock and Matthiessen State Parks on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at the Starved Rock Visitors Center. A total of 533 caldndars were sold, and $16,228 was raised. The Miller Group Charitable Trust was this year’s presenting sponsor, which price-matched every calendar sold. Launched in 2020, this grassroots fundraiser has become a powerful way for the community to give back to two of Illinois' most treasured parks. We’d be honored to have your coverage of this meaningful moment.